ABSTRACT
CASRN: 57-57-8; molecular formula: C3H4O2; FW: 72.06; RTECS: RQ7350000; Merck Index: 12, 8005 Physical state, color, and odor: Colorless liquid with a sweet but irritating odor Melting point (°C): -33.4 (Weast, 1986) Boiling point (°C): Decomposes at 162 (Weast, 1986) 155 (commercial grade, James and Wellington, 1969) Density (g/cm3): 1.1460 at 20 °C (Weast, 1986) 1.1425 at 25 °C (Windholz et al., 1983) Diffusivity in water (x 10-5 cm2/sec): 1.16 at 20 °C using method of Hayduk and Laudie (1974) Flash point (°C): 75 (NIOSH, 1997) 70 (Dean, 1987) Lower explosive limit (%): 2.9 (NIOSH, 1997) Entropy of fusion (cal/mol⋅K): 9.376 (Lebedev and Yevstropov, 1983) Heat of fusion (kcal/mol): 2.249 (Lebedev and Yevstropov, 1983) Henry’s law constant (x 10-7 atm⋅m3/mol): 7.6 at 25 °C (approximate - calculated from water solubility and vapor pressure) Ionization potential (eV): 9.70 (Mallard and Linstrom, 1998) Soil organic carbon/water partition coefficient, log Koc: Unavailable because experimental methods for estimation of this parameter for lactones are lacking in the documented literature
ow Unavailable because experimental methods for estimation of this parameter for lactones are lacking in the documented literature Solubility in organics: Miscible with acetone, alcohol, chloroform, and ether (Windholz et al., 1983) Solubility in water: 37 wt % at 25 °C (NIOSH, 1997) Vapor density: 2.95 g/L at 25 °C, 2.49 (air = 1) Vapor pressure (mmHg): 3 at 25 °C (NIOSH, 1997) Environmental fate: Chemical/Physical. Slowly hydrolyzes to hydracrylic acid (Windholz et al., 1983). In a reactor heated to 250 °C and a pressure of 12 mmHg, β-propiolactone decomposed to give equal amounts of ethylene and carbon dioxide (James and Wellington, 1969). Exposure limits: Potential occupational carcinogen. ACGIH TLV: TWA 0.5 ppm. OSHA recommends that worker exposure to this chemical is to be controlled by use of engineering control, proper work practices, and proper selection of personal protective equipment. Specific details of these requirements can be found in CFR 1910.1003-1910.1016. ACGIH TLV: TWA 0.5 ppm (adopted). Toxicity: LC50 (inhalation) for rats 25 ppm/6-h (quoted, RTECS, 1985). Uses: Organic synthesis; disinfectant; vapor sterilant.
