n-Pentane – Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Link to Safety Data Sheet (PDF)

Quick Facts

• Chemical Name: n-Pentane (Normal Pentane)

• CAS Number: 109-66-0

• Concentration: ≥ 99% n-Pentane (≤ 1% isopentane)

• Uses: Solvent, blowing agent, chemical intermediate

• Supplier: South Hampton Resources, Inc.

• Emergency: CHEMTREC +1-703-527-3887.

Hazards & Safety

• GHS Classification: Flammable liquid Cat. 2; Eye irritation Cat. 2B; STOT SE Cat. 3; Aspiration hazard Cat. 1; Acute aquatic toxicity Cat. 2.

• Signal Word: Danger

• Key Hazards: H225 (highly flammable), H304 (may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways), H320 (eye irritation), H336 (drowsiness/dizziness).

• Key Precautions: Keep away from heat/sparks/flames; ground/bond containers; avoid environmental release; wear gloves/eye/face protection.

First Aid Measures

• Inhalation: Move to fresh air; keep warm and at rest; give artificial respiration if needed; seek medical attention.

• Skin: Wash with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing.

• Eyes: Rinse with water for several minutes.

• Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; give small amounts of water; get immediate medical attention.

• Note to Physician: Risk of chemical pneumonitis from aspiration.

Fire & Explosion Data

• Extinguishing Media: Foam, CO₂, dry powder (small fires); foam for large fires; cool containers with water spray.

• Special Hazards: Vapors heavier than air; flashback possible; electrostatic discharge risk.

• Firefighting: Positive-pressure SCBA; isolate large tank fires to 800 m (½ mile).

Handling & Storage

• Use only in well-ventilated areas; avoid all ignition sources and hot surfaces.

• Ground/earth containers and control flow rates to prevent static.

• Store cool, well-ventilated; keep drums out of direct sunlight.

Exposure & PPE

• Exposure Limits: OSHA TWA 1000 ppm; ACGIH TWA 600 ppm (n-pentane).

• Respiratory: Use appropriate protection if high concentrations likely (SCBA in very high vapor).

• Hands/Eyes/Skin: Chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile), safety glasses/goggles; FR coveralls recommended.

Physical & Chemical Properties

• Appearance/Odor: Colorless liquid; gasoline-like odor

• Boiling Range: 32–38 °C (90–100 °F)

• Flash Point: −40 °C (−40 °F)

• LEL/UEL: 1.4% / 8.3% (v/v)

• Density (60 °F): 0.63 kg/L; Vapor Density: 2.5 (air=1)

• Autoignition: 308 °C (588 °F)

• Water Solubility: Negligible; Log Kow: 3.45.

Stability & Reactivity

• Stable under normal conditions; hazardous polymerization will not occur.

• Avoid: Heat/ignition sources.

• Incompatible: Strong oxidizers, strong acids/bases, selected amines.

• Decomposition: No hazardous products under normal use.

Toxicology & Ecology

• Acute Toxicity: Oral LD₅₀ (rat) > 2000 mg/kg; Inhalation LC₅₀ (mouse) 295 mg/L/2 h.

• Effects: CNS depression (dizziness, drowsiness), aspiration hazard; eye irritation; skin defatting on repeated contact.

• Aquatic Toxicity: EC₅₀ (rainbow trout, 96 h) 4.26 mg/L; EC₅₀ (Daphnia, 48 h) 2.7 mg/L; toxic to aquatic life with long-term effects.

• Fate: Readily biodegradable; high volatility from water to air; atmospheric degradation via photochemical reaction.

Transport & Disposal

• UN 1265, Pentanes, Class 3, PG I (USDOT/IMDG/IATA); flammable liquid labels/placards; ADR: environmentally hazardous.

• Disposal: Recover/recycle if possible; otherwise incinerate in accordance with regulations.

Regulatory Status

• EPCRA 311/312: Fire hazard; acute health hazard.

• EPCRA 302/313: No extremely hazardous or toxic chemicals listed.

• CAA 112(r): Threshold quantity 10,000 lbs (n-pentane & isopentane).

• Prop 65: None listed.

• RTK: NJ/PA—n-pentane & isopentane listed.

• TSCA/Global Inventories: Listed (US TSCA, Canada DSL, Japan ENCS, Australia AICS, Philippines PICCS, China IECSC, Korea KECI).