1-Methoxy-2-propanol (PM)

General Description

A colorless liquid. Flash point near 89°F. Less dense than water. Contact irritates skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Prolonged exposure to vapors may cause coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness and intoxication. Vapors heavier than air. Used as a solvent and as an antifreeze agent.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Soluble in water. Oxidizes readily in air to form unstable peroxides that may explode spontaneously [Bretherick 1979 p.151-154, 164].

Reactivity Profile

1-Methoxy-2-propanol is a methoxy alcohol derivative. The ether being relatively unreactive. Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination of alcohols with alkali metals, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. They react with oxoacids and carboxylic acids to form esters plus water. Oxidizing agents convert them to aldehydes or ketones. Alcohols exhibit both weak acid and weak base behavior. They may initiate the polymerization of isocyanates and epoxides.

Hazard

Flammable, moderate fire risk. TLV: 100 ppm; STEL 150 ppm.

Health Hazard

VAPOR: Irritating to eyes, nose, and throat. LIQUID: Irritating to skin and eyes.

Fire Hazard

FLAMMABLE. Flashback along vapor trail may occur. Vapor may explode if ignited in an enclosed area.

Flammability and Explosibility

Flammable

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by intravenous route. Mildly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Human systemic effects by inhalation: general anesthesia, nausea. A skin and eye irritant. An experimental teratogen. Many glycol ethers have dangerous human reproductive effects. Very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame; can react with oxidizing materials. To fight fire, use foam, CO2, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. Used as a solvent and in solvent-sealing of cellophane. See also GLYCOL ETHERS and ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER.

Synthesis

1-Methoxy-2-propanol is used as a reagent in the synthesis of 2-amino-3-carboxy-4-phenylthiophenes, which acts as a protein kinase C inhibitors. It is also used as a reagent in the synthesis of metolachlor.

Potential Exposure

Propylene glycol monomethyl ether is used as a solvent for coatings; cellulose esters and acrylics; acrylics dyes; inks, and stains. It may also be used as a heat-transfer fluid.

Shipping

UN3092 1-Methoxy-2-propanol, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid.

Toxicity evaluation

Contact irritates skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Prolonged exposure to vapors may cause coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness and intoxication. Vapors heavier than air. Used as a solvent and as an antifreeze agent. The oral LD50 of rats was 6.6g/kg. The skin irritation is not obvious, but the toxic dose can be absorbed through the skin. The main manifestations of animal poisoning were inhibition and incomplete anesthesia. Half of the rats died when they were exposed to steam concentration of 40.18g/m3 for 5 ~ 6 hours. the impact of 1-methoxypropanol-2 (MEP) for the stimulation of an inflammatory response in human respiratory mucosa, we exposed 22 primary cell cultures of nasal respiratory epithelia of healthy individuals to MEP concentrations at the level of the German MAK-value (100ppm) and to the 10-fold concentration (1000ppm).

Incompatibilities

Vapor may form explosive mixture with air. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, isocya- nates, aluminum, and copper. Hygroscopic (i.e., absorbs moisture from the air). May slowly form reactive peroxides during prolonged storage or on exposure to air and light.

Waste Disposal

Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed.