Material Safety Data Sheet: Tri-n-butyl Citrate

Identification

Product Name: Tri-n-butyl Citrate
Chemical Formula: C18H32O7
Synonyms: Tributyl 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate, Tributyl Citrate, TBC
CAS Number: 77-94-1
Recommended Use: Plasticizer, solvent in cosmetics, and food packaging
Supplier Information: Contact details for manufacturer or distributor, including emergency contact number and address for quick response in case of incident

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS criteria
Signal Word: None
Hazard Statements: May cause mild irritation to eyes and skin on contact
Precautionary Statements: Use only with adequate ventilation, wash hands after handling, avoid direct contact with skin and eyes
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Health Hazards: Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause dryness of skin or irritation, ingestion in large quantities could upset digestive tract
Environmental Hazards: Spills could impact aquatic environments if not contained and cleaned up promptly

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Tri-n-butyl Citrate
Concentration: Typically >99% pure
Impurities: Small amounts of butyl alcohols and other citrate esters may be present as trace impurities
Other Ingredients: No hazardous additives commonly reported in commercial grades

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, keep comfortable and observe for symptoms such as dizziness or headache, seek medical advice if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash with plenty of soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek attention if irritation develops and continues
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing and get medical help if irritation occurs
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting unless instructed by medical personnel, seek medical attention if large amounts swallowed or if feeling unwell

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, or water spray can be used for small fires
Unsuitable Media: Direct stream of water may spread liquid
Specific Hazards: In a fire, material can produce irritating or toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective gear
Fire Fighting Instructions: Move containers away from the fire area if safe, cool containers exposed to heat with water spray, prevent runoff from entering drains

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, provide proper ventilation, avoid breathing vapors, wear suitable protective equipment including gloves and goggles
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spills from entering waterways and soil, contain spill using sand, earth, or an approved absorbent
Cleanup Methods: Collect with absorbent material and place in properly labeled chemical waste containers, wash spill area with water and detergent to remove residues, dispose of in accordance with local regulations

Handling and Storage

Handling: Work in a well-ventilated area, avoid inhalation of vapors and contact with skin or eyes, use proper personal protective equipment, keep away from food and beverages
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated area, keep away from strong acids, bases, and oxidizing agents, protect containers from damage and direct sunlight, label and store separately from incompatible materials

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established exposure limit values for tri-n-butyl citrate, but best practice suggests keeping exposure as low as possible
Engineering Controls: Ensure good general ventilation, provide local exhaust at points of emission
Personal Protection: Wear suitable chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing to reduce risk of skin or eye contact; use respiratory protection where ventilation is inadequate or exposure limits are exceeded; wash hands after handling and before eating, drinking, or smoking

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless or slightly yellow oily liquid
Odor: Mild, characteristic
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: Not available (insoluble in water)
Melting Point: -20°C
Boiling Point: 324°C at 101.3 kPa
Flash Point: Around 199°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Very low
Flammability: Not classified as flammable but may burn at high temperature
Vapor Pressure: <0.01 hPa at 20°C
Density: 1.05 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohols and many organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): log Kow approximately 4.0
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 430°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not established
Viscosity: About 32 mPa·s at 25°C

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable under recommended storage and normal conditions of use
Reactivity: Non-reactive with most chemicals during general use
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, open flames, exposure to strong oxidizers, acids, or bases
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids and bases
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Combustion or thermal decomposition can produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and other unidentified organic compounds

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): >30,000 mg/kg, indicating low acute toxicity
Skin Irritation: Mild irritation possible after prolonged exposure
Eye Irritation: Mild transient irritation
Respiratory Sensitization: No data suggests respiratory sensitization
Skin Sensitization: Not expected to cause allergic skin reactions
Chronic Toxicity: Studies on chronic exposure do not show significant adverse effects
Carcinogenicity: Not classed as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: No evidence from available data
Reproductive Toxicity: Some studies have reported limited reproductive effects in extremely high doses not relevant to usual human exposures

Ecological Information

Environmental Fate: Biodegradable under aerobic conditions, expected to degrade in soil and water over time
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96h): 54 mg/L; LC50 (daphnia, 48h): >49 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable according to OECD guidelines
Bioaccumulation Potential: Potential for bioaccumulation due to a moderate log Kow, actual accumulation in aquatic life is not significant at expected environmental concentrations
Mobility in Soil: Low volatility, binds to soil particles
Other Adverse Effects: No significant ozone depletion or global warming impact identified

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Recover and recycle if possible, otherwise dispose of through licensed chemical waste contractors
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers should be rinsed to remove residues, then sent for recycling or disposal in accordance with local and national regulations
Special Precautions: Do not release into sewers, surface waters or soil, report any significant releases to local authorities as required

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated as a hazardous material for transport
UN Proper Shipping Name: Not required
Transport Hazard Class: Not applicable
Packing Group: Not applicable
Labels: No hazardous labels required
Special Precautions for User: Use tightly sealed containers during transport, avoid extreme temperatures and ensure secure placement to prevent leaks or spills

Regulatory Information

Inventory Listings: Listed in TSCA (US), EINECS/ELINCS (Europe), DSL (Canada), ENCS (Japan), AICS (Australia), and other major chemical inventories
Regulatory Status: Not classified as hazardous under US OSHA, European REACH, or other primary regulatory frameworks
REACH Registration Number: Available upon request for suppliers under European law
Other Applicable Regulations: Subject to inspection and reporting under chemical control and environmental regulations in regions of manufacturing and use, safety data must accompany every shipment for workplace safety
Labelling Requirements: Workplace containers must carry proper labels with product identification and hazard communication information even though not formally classified as hazardous