Substance profile
Chloroacetic Acid
Chloroacetic Acid is monoclinic prisms with a strong vinegar-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Chloroacetic Acid is
Chloroacetic Acid is monoclinic prisms with a strong vinegar-like odor. Its molecular formula is C2H3ClO2 and its molecular weight is 94.5 g/mol. It boils at 189 °C, melts at 63 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Chloroacetic Acid identifiers and molecular data
Chloroacetic Acid CAS number and EC number
Chloroacetic Acid molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Chloroacetic Acid hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Chloroacetic Acid pictograms and signal word
Chloroacetic Acid hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H301 | GHS06 |
| Acute toxicity - dermal GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H311 | GHS06 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H331 | GHS06 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 1A or 1B or 1C | H314 | GHS05 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - acute GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H400 | GHS09 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
Chloroacetic Acid hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Chloroacetic Acid. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Chloroacetic Acid
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Chloroacetic Acid issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Chloroacetic Acid precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 14 precautionary statements to Chloroacetic Acid. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Disposal
What has to happen to the contents and the empty container.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Chloroacetic Acid name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | хлорооцетна киселина |
| Spanish español | Ácido cloroacético |
| Czech čeština | chloroctová kyselina |
| Danish dansk | chloreddikesyre |
| German Deutsch | Chloressigsäure |
| Estonian eesti | kloroäädikhape |
| Greek ελληνικά | χλωροξικό οξύ |
| English English | chloroacetic acid |
| French français | acide chloroacétique |
| Croatian hrvatski | kloroctena kiselina |
| Italian italiano | acido cloroacetico |
| Latvian latviešu | hloretiķskābe |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | chloracto rūgštis |
| Hungarian magyar | klórecetsav |
| Maltese Malti | aċidu kloroaċetiku |
| Dutch Nederlands | chloorazijnzuur |
| Polish polski | kwas chlorooctowy |
| Portuguese português | ácido cloroacético |
| Romanian română | acid cloroacetic |
| Slovak slovenčina | kyselina chlóroctová |
| Slovenian slovenščina | kloroocetna kislina |
| Finnish suomi | kloorietikkahappo |
| Swedish svenska | klorättiksyra |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Chloroacetic Acid GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Chloroacetic Acid, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Chloroacetic Acid
- Toxic if inhaled.
- Toxic in contact with skin.
- Toxic if swallowed.
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- Very toxic to aquatic life.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF INHALED:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Rinse mouth.
- Do NOT induce vomiting.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
- Collect spillage.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Chloroacetic Acid in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Chloroacetic Acid health hazards and exposure limits
Chloroacetic Acid hazard summary
Exposure to chloroacetic acid is most likely to occur in the workplace. Acute (short-term) inhalation or dermal exposure may irritate or cause severe damage to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract, and mucous membranes and cause depression of the central nervous system in humans. No information is available on the chronic (long-term) effects of chloroacetic acid in humans. Damage to the respiratory tract has been observed in rodents chronically exposed to chloroacetic acid by inhalation, orally, and via gavage (experimentally placing the chemical in the stomach). EPA has not classified chloroacetic acid for potential carcinogenicity.
Source: EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
Chloroacetic Acid carcinogenicity classification
Under the conditions of these 2-year gavage studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity for monochloroacetic acid in male or female F344/N rats given 15 or 30 mg/kg. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity for monochloroacetic acid in male or female B6C3F1 mice given 50 or 100 mg/kg.
Source: US National Toxicology Program · TR-396: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Monochloroacetic Acid (CASRN 79-11-8) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies) (1992 )
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Chloroacetic Acid properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Chloroacetic Acid boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 189.1 °C (372.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 188.89 °C (372 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 189 °C (372.2 °F) | ICSC |
Chloroacetic Acid melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 63 °C (145.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 62.78 °C (145 °F) | CAMEO |
Chloroacetic Acid density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.328 g/cm³ | CAMEO | |
| 1.58 g/cm³ | at 20 °C, solid | HSDB | |
| 1.58 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | ICSC |
Chloroacetic Acid solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, benzene, chloroform; slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | |
| ... good solubility in methanol, acetone, diethyl ether, and ethanol, but is only sparingly soluble in hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons. | HSDB | ||
| In water, 8.58X10+5 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Chloroacetic Acid vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.065 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 1 mmHg | at 43 °C | CAMEO | |
| 7.5 mmHg | at 78.4 °C | DOE PAC |
Chloroacetic Acid flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 126.11 °C (259 °F) | HSDB | |
| 150 °C (302 °F) | CAMEO |
Chloroacetic Acid autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 470 °C (878 °F) | ICSC | |
| 500 °C (932 °F) | above this value | HSDB |
Chloroacetic Acid lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 8 % by volume | HSDB |
Chloroacetic Acid vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 3.26 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3.3 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Chloroacetic Acid odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 0.01 ppm, 0.042 mg/cu m | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.04 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor Threshold High: 6.14 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Chloroacetic Acid critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 412.85 °C (775.1 °F) | HSDB |
Chloroacetic Acid corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | ...extremely corrosive and will cause serious chemical burns. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Chloroacetic Acid fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Chloroacetic Acid fire potential
Combustible liquid when exposed to heat or flame.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Chloroacetic Acid storage and handling
Chloroacetic Acid safe storage
Separated from incompatible materials and food and feedstuffs. See Chemical Dangers. Dry. Store only in original container. Well closed. Ventilation along the floor. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Chloroacetic Acid storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Chloroacetic Acid incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, strong reducing agents.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Chloroacetic Acid in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Chloroacetic Acid UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
The same CAS number is shipped under more than one UN number. Which entry applies follows from the form and the concentration of the consignment — read the proper shipping name, not the CAS.
Chloroacetic Acid under UN 1750 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHLOROACETIC ACID SOLUTION | 6.1 | TC1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloroacetic acid, solution | 6.1 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
Chloroacetic Acid under UN 1751 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHLOROACETIC ACID, SOLID | 6.1 | TC2 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloroacetic acid, solid | 6.1 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
Chloroacetic Acid under UN 3250 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHLOROACETIC ACID, MOLTEN | 6.1 | TC1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloroacetic acid, molten | 6.1 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Chloroacetic Acid — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Chloroacetic Acid?
The CAS number of Chloroacetic Acid is 79-11-8. Its EC number is 201-178-4.
What is the chemical formula of Chloroacetic Acid?
The molecular formula of Chloroacetic Acid is C2H3ClO2 and its molecular weight is 94.5 g/mol.
What does a Chloroacetic Acid label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Chloroacetic Acid carries the pictograms Skull and crossbones, Corrosion and Environment and the signal word is Danger.
Is Chloroacetic Acid flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Chloroacetic Acid no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 126.11 °C (259 °F) (HSDB).
Is Chloroacetic Acid a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Chloroacetic Acid. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the boiling point of Chloroacetic Acid?
The boiling point reported for Chloroacetic Acid is 189.1 °C (372.4 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Chloroacetic Acid?
The melting point reported for Chloroacetic Acid is 63 °C (145.4 °F) (HSDB).
How should Chloroacetic Acid be stored?
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Chloroacetic Acid
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