Methyl chloroformate

Synonyms

Carbonochloridic acid, methyl ester; Chlorameisensaeure methylester [German]; Chlorocarbonate de methyle [French]; Chlorocarbonic acid methyl ester; Chloroformiate de methyle [French]; Chloroformic acid methyl ester; Formic acid, chloro-, methyl ester; K-Stoff; MCF; Methoxycarbonyl chloride; Methyl chlorocarbonate; Methylchloorformiaat [Dutch]; Methylester kyseliny chlormravenci [Czech]; Methylester kyseliny chloruhlicite [Czech]; Metilcloroformiato [Italian]; TL 438; [ChemIDplus] UN1238

Category

Acid Halides

Description

Colorless liquid with pungent odor; [ICSC]

Sources/Uses

Used to make pesticides, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals; Used as a solvent in the photographic industry; [HSDB]

Comments

Very toxic by inhalation; Causes burns; [ESIS] A corrosive substance that causes lacrimation and may cause lung edema after inhalation of high concentrations; [ICSC] "A concentration of 1 mg/liter (190 ppm) has been lethal in 10 minutes." [CAMEO] Flammable, dangerous fire risk; [Hawley] Very toxic by inhalation and toxic by skin contact and ingestion; Causes burns; Lachrymator; [MSDSonline] See "CHLOROFORMATES."

Biomedical References

Yes

0.2 ppm

159 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) = 88 ppm/1h

Explanatory Notes

Flash point = 12 deg C; [ICSC] VP from ChemIDplus;

Not appropriate

2 ppm

5 ppm

Yes

Yes

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Photographic Processing