Substance profile
Hexachloroacetone
Hexachloroacetone is a very light yellow liquid with a musty odor.
01 · Identification
What Hexachloroacetone is
Hexachloroacetone is a very light yellow liquid with a musty odor. Its molecular formula is C3Cl6O and its molecular weight is 264.7 g/mol. It boils at 202 °C, melts at -2 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
02 · Identifiers
Hexachloroacetone identifiers and molecular data
Hexachloroacetone CAS number and EC number
Hexachloroacetone molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Hexachloroacetone hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Hexachloroacetone pictograms and signal word
Hexachloroacetone hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 2 | H411 | GHS09 |
Hexachloroacetone hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Hexachloroacetone. 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 Hexachloroacetone
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 Hexachloroacetone 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
Hexachloroacetone precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 7 precautionary statements to Hexachloroacetone. 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
Hexachloroacetone 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 | хексахлороацетон |
| Spanish español | Hexacloroacetona |
| Czech čeština | hexachloraceton |
| Danish dansk | hexachloracetone |
| German Deutsch | Hexachloraceton |
| Estonian eesti | heksakloroatsetoon |
| Greek ελληνικά | εξαχλωροακετόνη |
| English English | hexachloroacetone |
| French français | hexachloroacétone |
| Croatian hrvatski | heksakloraceton |
| Italian italiano | esacloroacetone |
| Latvian latviešu | heksahloracetons |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | heksachloracetonas |
| Hungarian magyar | hexaklóraceton |
| Maltese Malti | eżakloroaċetun |
| Dutch Nederlands | hexachlooraceton |
| Polish polski | heksachloroaceton heksachloropropan-2-onheksachloropropanon |
| Portuguese português | hexacloroacetona |
| Romanian română | hexacloroacetonă |
| Slovak slovenčina | hexachlóracetón |
| Slovenian slovenščina | heksakloroaceton |
| Finnish suomi | heksaklooriasetoni |
| Swedish svenska | hexakloraceton |
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
Hexachloroacetone GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Hexachloroacetone, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Warning
Hexachloroacetone
- Harmful if swallowed.
- Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- IF SWALLOWED:
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- Collect spillage.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Hexachloroacetone in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Hexachloroacetone health hazards and exposure limits
Hexachloroacetone hazard summary
The major hazards encountered in the use and handling of hexachloroacetone stem from its toxicologic properties. Toxic by all routes (ie, inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact), exposure to this musty-smelling liquid may occur from its use as an intermediate in the production of chloroform and hexafluoroacetone. Effects from exposure may include contact burns to the skin and eyes, and irritation of the mucous membranes. If contact should occur, immediately flush affected eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes, and wash skin with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes at the site. While hexachloroacetone does not ignite easily, it may burn with the production of irritating and poisonous gases. Also, heating of this substance may give rise to toxic thermal decomposition products such as chlorine or phosgene. Fires involving hexachloroacetone may be extinguished with dry chemical, CO2, Halon, water spray, fog, or standard foam. Hexachloroacetone should be stored in well-ventilated areas, away from heat and sources of ignition. Containers for international shipment by air and by water must bear the labels, "Keep away from food" and "Poison", respectively. Small spills of hexachloroacetone may be taken up with sand or other noncombustible absorbent and placed into containers for later disposal. Before implementing land disposal of waste hexachloroacetone, consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Hexachloroacetone 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.
Hexachloroacetone boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 202.2 °C (396 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC |
| 203 °C (397.4 °F) | range, midpoint shown | HSDB |
Hexachloroacetone melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -2 °C (28.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 15 °C (59 °F) | HEXACHLOROACETONE HYDRATE | HSDB |
Hexachloroacetone density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.444 g/cm³ | at 12 °C | HSDB |
| 1.74 g/cm³ | at 12 °C | DOE PAC |
Hexachloroacetone solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Slightly sol in water; sol in acetone | HSDB | |
| MISCIBLE WITH ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS, VEGETABLE OILS, 2-PROPANOL AT 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| MISCIBLE WITH METHANOL, AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS, MONOCHLOROBENZENE, ISOPROPANOL AT 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Hexachloroacetone vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.376 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| 0.12 mmHg | Haz-Map |
Hexachloroacetone vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 9.2 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Handling and storage
Hexachloroacetone storage and handling
Hexachloroacetone reactivity
HEXACHLOROACETONE is a halogenated ketone. Ketones are reactive with many acids and bases liberating heat and flammable gases (e.g., H2). The amount of heat may be sufficient to start a fire in the unreacted portion of the ketone. Ketones react with reducing agents such as hydrides, alkali metals, and nitrides to produce flammable gas (H2) and heat. Ketones are incompatible with isocyanates, aldehydes, cyanides, peroxides, and anhydrides. They react violently with aldehydes, HNO3, HNO3 + H2O2, and HClO4.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Hexachloroacetone in the storage compatibility matrix →
10 · Transport
Hexachloroacetone 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.
Hexachloroacetone under UN 2661 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEXACHLOROACETONE | 6.1 | T1 | III | |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hexachloroacetone | 6.1 | III | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
11 · Questions
Hexachloroacetone — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Hexachloroacetone?
The CAS number of Hexachloroacetone is 116-16-5. Its EC number is 204-129-5.
What is the chemical formula of Hexachloroacetone?
The molecular formula of Hexachloroacetone is C3Cl6O and its molecular weight is 264.7 g/mol.
What does a Hexachloroacetone label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Hexachloroacetone carries the pictograms Exclamation mark and Environment and the signal word is Warning.
Is Hexachloroacetone flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Hexachloroacetone 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.
Is Hexachloroacetone a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Hexachloroacetone. 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 Hexachloroacetone?
The boiling point reported for Hexachloroacetone is 202.2 °C (396 °F), at 760 mmHg (DOE PAC).
What is the melting point of Hexachloroacetone?
The melting point reported for Hexachloroacetone is -2 °C (28.4 °F) (HSDB).
Nearby
Substances next to Hexachloroacetone
Keep going: substances starting with H, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.