Methyl vinyl ketone
Agent Name
Methyl vinyl ketone
Alternative Name
3-Buten-2-one
CAS Number
78-94-4
Formula
C4-H6-O
Major Category
Toxic Gases & Vapors
Synonyms
3-Buten-2-one; 1-Buten-3-one; 2-Butenone; 3-Butene-2-one; 3-Butenone-2; Acetone, methylene-; Acetyl ethylene; Butenone; Ketone, methyl vinyl; Methyl ethenyl ketone; Methyl-vinyl-cetone [French]; Methylene acetone; Methylvinyl ketone; Methylvinylketon [German]; Methylvinylketone; Vinyl methyl ketone; delta(sup 3)-2-Butenone; gamma-Oxo-alpha-butylene; Methyl vinyl ketone, stabilized; [ChemIDplus] UN1251
Category
Other Toxic Gases & Vapors
Description
Colorless liquid with a pungent odor; [HSDB] Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a strong irritating odor; [CHRIS]
Sources/Uses
Used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis, an alkylating agent, and a monomer in resins; it is present in cigarette smoke; [HSDB] Used as a monomer to make styrene-MVK polymers for packaging applications; [ACGIH]
Comments
TLV Basis is upper respiratory damage and leukopenia; No human studies available; "Sufficient data were not available to assign Skin, DSEN, RSEN or carcinogenicity notations." [ACGIH] Highly toxic; [Quick CPC] A lachrymator; Can cause liver injury (animal studies); Potential for pulmonary edema after heavy inhalation exposure; [HSDB] Causes lachrymation; May cause skin sensitization; [ICSC] Liquid causes second or third degree burns on short contact; [CHRIS] May polymerize exothermically if heated, exposed to sunlight, or contaminated; [CAMEO] Danger of skin sensitization; [MAK] A severe skin irritant (1% solution); Causes acute pulmonary edema, emphysema, and other liver changes in inhalation lethal-concentration studies of rats; Causes impaired liver function tests in repeated-dose inhalation studies of rats; [RTECS] Methyl vinyl ketone, stabilized (UN1251) has warning of explosive polymerization; [ERG 2016]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TIH
Yes
Ceiling (ACGIH)
0.01 ppm
Vapor Pressure
83.9 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
0.2 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 7 mg/m3/4hr
Explosive Polymerization
Yes
Explanatory Notes
VP from ACGIH;
NFPA
may ignite at ambient temp
Adverse Effects
Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Lachrymator
Yes
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Activities
Activities with risk of exposure: