Material Safety Data Sheet for 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural

Identification

Product Name: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural
Chemical Formula: C6H6O3
CAS Number: 67-47-0
Synonym: 5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde
Recommended Use: Chemical intermediate, flavor agent, possible platform chemical for bio-based materials and fuels
Supplier Details: Manufacturer’s name, address, and emergency contact number
Date of Issue: June 2024

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Eye irritation category 2A, skin irritation category 2, acute oral toxicity category 4, specific target organ toxicity-single exposure (respiratory system, central nervous system)
Label Elements: Signal word "Warning"; hazard pictograms for exclamation mark and health hazard
Hazard Statements: Causes skin and eye irritation; may cause respiratory irritation; harmful if swallowed
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or fumes; wash hands after handling; use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area; wear protective gloves, eye protection, and clothing
Potential Health Effects: May provoke irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory system; harmful by ingestion; repeated exposure may cause organ effects

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural
Common Name: HMF
Percent: ≥99% by weight
Impurities: Trace levels of furfural and related furanic compounds
Additives: Not applicable

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately, assist breathing with oxygen if necessary, seek medical attention if symptoms develop
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected skin thoroughly with soap and water, get medical evaluation if irritation continues
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lift eyelids occasionally, seek prompt medical advice
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink small amounts of water, do not induce vomiting, consult physician or poison control center without delay
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation, possible allergic reactions, respiratory discomfort
Notes to Physician: Symptomatic treatment; keep under close medical supervision for severe exposure

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or alcohol-resistant foam
Specific Hazards: Can produce toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and irritating fumes during combustion; may form explosive dust-air mixtures
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear to avoid exposure to hazardous decomposition products
Special Precautions: Cool containers with water if exposed to fire; avoid runoff entering drains or waterways; evacuate area and fight fire from safe distance where necessary

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate personnel to safe areas, wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves, goggles, coveralls, and mask
Spill Cleanup Methods: Avoid raising dust; sweep up or shovel material and collect in suitable, labeled containers for disposal; ventilate area well
Environmental Protection: Prevent material from reaching drains or water courses; notify environmental authorities if large releases occur
Decontamination: Wash spill area thoroughly after clean-up; use absorbent materials for small spills

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas; avoid dust formation and inhalation; minimize direct contact with substance; keep away from sources of ignition, sparks, heat
Technical Measures: Use explosion-proof equipment where dust can accumulate; ground containers to prevent static discharge
Conditions for Safe Storage: Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from incompatible substances such as strong oxidizers, acids, alkalis
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, bases
Special Storage Requirements: Keep out of reach of minors and unauthorized personnel; store at stable room temperature

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Control Parameters: No occupational exposure limits established for 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural; use general dust and vapor nuisance guidelines (ACGIH TLV for particulates not otherwise specified: 10 mg/m³ total, 3 mg/m³ respirable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or process enclosures to reduce exposure
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical goggles, impervious gloves, laboratory coat or coveralls, appropriate respiratory protection if exposure exceeds recommended levels or in case of dust formation
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke during use; remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse

Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Crystalline solid or powder
Color: White to pale yellow
Odor: Slight sweet, caramel-like
Molecular Weight: 126.11 g/mol
Melting Point: 28-34°C
Boiling Point: 114 – 116°C at 2 mmHg
Solubility: Soluble in water, ethanol, ether, and chloroform
pH: Not available
Density: 1.24 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: 0.02 mmHg @ 25°C
Flash Point: 113°C (closed cup)
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -0.1
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not determined
Explosive Properties: No data, but dust may form explosive mixtures in air
Oxidizing Properties: Not classified as oxidizing

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage practices
Thermal Decomposition: Decomposes on heating, producing toxic fumes, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, furan derivatives
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, sparks, incompatible chemicals, generating dust clouds
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, acids, bases, reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon oxides, furanic compounds, other toxic vapors
Polymerization: No hazardous polymerization
Reactivity: Not reactive with most materials under normal conditions, but takes part in condensation or oxidation reactions

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 250 mg/kg; inhalation and dermal toxicity data limited
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Irritates skin on direct contact
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Provokes irritation, redness, discomfort
Respiratory Tract Irritation: Dust may cause coughing, sneezing, throat pain
Chronic Effects: Studies show potential genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in animal models with repeated high exposures; no evidence of carcinogenicity in humans reported
Allergenicity: Rare sensitization possible, mostly in case of repeat contact
Other Effects: Experimental data suggest some reproductive or developmental toxicity at high doses

Ecological Information

Environmental Fate: Biodegradable in soil and water; hydrolysis expected to be rapid; may persist in certain conditions
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96 hr): ~45 mg/L; EC50 (daphnia, 48 hr): 34 mg/L; toxic to aquatic organisms at moderate concentrations
Mobility: High water solubility, potential for mobility in environment
Bioaccumulation: Low log Kow suggests low potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms
Other Adverse Effects: No data on ozone depletion, global warming, or photochemical ozone creation potential

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations; incineration or chemical treatment recommended for large volumes
Packaging Disposal: Rinse containers thoroughly prior to recycling or disposal, ensure containers go to authorized facilities
Avoid Release: Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, or soil
Special Precautions: Do not mix with incompatible materials, especially oxidizers, before disposal

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated as a hazardous material for transport under most international and domestic regulations
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as dangerous goods
Proper Shipping Name: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural
Packing Group: Not applicable
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant
Transport Precautions: Secure containers, protect from damage, heat, and moisture, ship with accompanying documentation

Regulatory Information

TSCA: Listed on the US Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
REACH: Registered in the European Union with Substance Information Exchange Forum
Other International Inventories: Listed in Canada (DSL/NDSL), Japan (ENCS), South Korea, China, and Australia inventories
OSHA: Not specifically regulated as hazardous in the US but considered irritating substance
SARA Title III: Not listed under Sections 302, 304, or 313
California Proposition 65: Not listed
WHMIS Classification (Canada): D2B (toxic material causing other toxic effects)
Other Regulation: Follow applicable national, regional, and local standards for occupational safety and environmental protection