Material Safety Data Sheet for Alkyl Sulphonic Acid, Solid (Ate)

Identification

Product Name: Alkyl Sulphonic Acid, Solid
Synonyms: Alkane Sulphonic Acid, Solid; ASA Solid
Chemical Family: Sulphonic acids
Recommended Use: Surfactant production, detergent intermediate, chemical synthesis
Manufacturer Details: Information available from the supplier or manufacturer’s customer service
Emergency Contact: Refer to local or national poison information centers; for chemical emergencies, use the listed manufacturer emergency line or Chemtrec
CAS Number: Refer to supplier specifics for correct identification

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Corrosive to metals, Skin Corrosion Category 1, Eye Damage Category 1
Pictograms: Corrosive
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; may be corrosive to metals; dust may cause irritation to respiratory tract
Precautionary Statements: Wear chemical-resistant clothing, gloves, and splash goggles; avoid breathing dust; wash hands thoroughly after handling; avoid release to the environment

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Alkyl Sulphonic Acid
Common Range: 90 – 98% by weight
Impurities: Trace sulfuric acid, sodium salts, water
Additives: None intentionally added; manufacturer may report trace neutralizing agents
CAS Number: Specific to product; main component usually in range of C10-18

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air; seek medical attention if symptoms persist; provide oxygen if breathing difficult
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; call a physician
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; seek immediate medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting; seek prompt medical attention; never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, CO2, or foam; water spray for cooling only—do not directly apply water to product
Specific Hazards: Produces toxic sulfur oxides and fumes under combustion; acids may react violently with metals
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and acid-resistant protective clothing
Special Procedures: Isolate area; avoid inhalation of vapors or decomposition products; evacuate downwind personnel

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel; use chemical splash goggles, acid-resistant gloves, and protective clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, surface water, or soil; contain spill with non-combustible absorbent material
Methods for Clean Up: Sweep up and place in appropriate chemical waste container for disposal; neutralize with sodium bicarbonate if available; ventilate area
Decontamination: Wash spill site thoroughly with water after material pickup is complete; monitor for continued release of fumes or residues

Handling and Storage

Handling Recommendations: Avoid dust formation; prevent contact with skin, eyes, clothing; do not eat or drink where material is handled; handle only with equipment suitable for corrosive materials
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers; keep in cool, ventilated, dry area away from alkalies, chlorine, oxidizing agents, and water; keep only in original packaging
Incompatible Materials: Strong bases, oxidizing agents, metals (especially aluminum and zinc), concentrated chlorine

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established ACGIH or OSHA limits for Alkyl Sulphonic Acid specifically; follow nuisance dust limits—ACGIH TLV (Particulates Not Otherwise Classified): 10 mg/m³ TWA total
Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust at points of emission; use closed process systems whenever possible; provide eyewash stations and safety showers
Personal Protection: Use chemical splash goggles, acid-resistant gloves, long-sleeved protective clothing; respirator equipment in situations of high dust or inadequate ventilation

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to off-white solid, fine to granulated powder
Odor: Pungent, slightly sulfurous
pH (1% Solution): < 1 (strongly acidic)
Melting Point: Approximately 170–180°C (depends on alkyl chain length)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Readily soluble in water; forms acidic solutions
Vapor Pressure: Not measurable at ambient temperature
Density: Typically 1.3–1.5 g/cm³
Flash Point: Not flammable
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; reacts with bases and certain metals
Hazardous Reactions: Vigorous reactions with strong bases, oxidizing agents, and reactive metals; generates heat and toxic gases with incompatible substances
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, high temperatures, contact with metal containers not specially lined, mixing with incompatible chemicals
Decomposition Products: Sulfur oxides, carbon oxides, hydrocarbons if ignited

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Corrosive; contact causes burns to skin, eyes, mucous membranes; inhalation of dust irritates respiratory tract; ingestion leads to gastrointestinal injury
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure can cause dermatitis and permanent eye damage
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by IARC, ACGIH, NTP, or OSHA; no evidence for mutagenicity or reproductive toxicity
Sensitization: Not reported for this material

Ecological Information

Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms; low LC50 for fish and aquatic invertebrates
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions; rapid metabolic breakdown in wastewater treatment
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low, as the compound hydrolyzes and is metabolized in the environment
Mobility in Soil: Expected to have moderate to high mobility in soil and water; may acidify local environments

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Classify as hazardous waste according to local regulations; dispose at approved chemical waste facility; neutralize with alkali under controlled conditions before disposal
Packaging Disposal: Triple rinse containers, puncture and discard according to chemical legislation; contaminated packaging must be handled as hazardous
Precautions: Never discharge into sewers or environment; consult local authorities for specific regulations

Transport Information

UN Number: 2586 (for Alkyl Sulphonic Acid, Solid)
Proper Shipping Name: Alkyl Sulphonic Acids, Solid
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: II or III, depending on concentration
Labels: Corrosive
Special Precautions: Segregate from incompatible goods, such as strong bases and oxidizers; use appropriate spill containment
Marine Pollutant: Yes; avoid transportation in bulk by waterways

Regulatory Information

Labeling Requirements: Must be labeled as corrosive according to GHS and local chemical safety legislation
Inventory Listings: US TSCA, EU REACH, Australian AICS, and other major inventories list Alkyl Sulphonic Acid or related substances; compliance with country-specific chemical control acts required
Workplace Regulations: Follow OSHA Hazard Communication Standard in the US; EU users apply CLP regulation for hazard communication and risk management
Other Requirements: Hazard assessment, worker training, exposure control, and emergency preparedness plans required for handling and storage
Reporting Obligations: Spills and releases may require notification to environmental authorities based on local chemical control laws