Substance profile
Propanal
Propanal is a liquid with a suffocating, fruity odor.
01 · Identification
What Propanal is
Propanal is a liquid with a suffocating, fruity odor. Its molecular formula is C3H6O and its molecular weight is 58.08 g/mol. It boils at 48 °C, melts at -80 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Propanal identifiers and molecular data
Propanal CAS number and EC number
Propanal molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Propanal
- propionaldehyde
03 · GHS classification
Propanal hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Propanal pictograms and signal word
Propanal hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 2 | H225 | GHS02 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 2 | H315 | GHS07 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 2A | H319 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 | H335 | GHS07 |
Propanal hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Propanal. 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 Propanal
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 Propanal 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
Propanal precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 14 precautionary statements to Propanal. 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.
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
Propanal 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 | пропанал пропионалдехид |
| Spanish español | Propanal propionaldehído |
| Czech čeština | propanal propionaldehyd |
| Danish dansk | propanal propionaldehyd |
| German Deutsch | Propanal Propionaldehyd |
| Estonian eesti | propanaal propioonaldehüüd |
| Greek ελληνικά | προπανάλη προπιοναλδεΰδη |
| English English | propanal propionaldehyde |
| French français | propanal propionaldéhyde |
| Croatian hrvatski | propanal propionaldehid |
| Italian italiano | propanale aldeide propionica |
| Latvian latviešu | propanāls propionaldehīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | propanalis propiono aldehidas |
| Hungarian magyar | propanal propionaldehid |
| Maltese Malti | propanal propjonaldeid |
| Dutch Nederlands | propanal propionaldehyde |
| Polish polski | propanal aldehyd propionowy |
| Portuguese português | propanal propionaldeído |
| Romanian română | propanal aldehidă propionică |
| Slovak slovenčina | propanál propiónaldehyd |
| Slovenian slovenščina | propanal propionaldehid |
| Finnish suomi | propanaali propionialdehydi |
| Swedish svenska | propanal propionaldehyd |
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
Propanal GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Propanal, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Propanal
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
- May cause respiratory irritation.
- Causes skin irritation.
- Causes serious eye irritation.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF IN EYES:
- Get medical advice/attention.
- If skin irritation occurs:
- If eye irritation persists:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Propanal in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Propanal health hazards and exposure limits
Propanal hazard summary
Propionaldehyde is used in the manufacture of plastics, in the synthesis of rubber chemicals, and as a disinfectant and preservative. Limited information is available on the health effects of propionaldehyde. No information is available on the acute (short-term), chronic (long-term), reproductive, developmental or carcinogenic effects of propionaldehyde in humans. Animal studies have reported that exposure to high levels of propionaldehyde, via inhalation, results in anesthesia and liver damage, and intraperitoneal exposure results in increased blood pressure. EPA has not classified propionaldehyde for carcinogenicity.
Source: EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Propanal 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.
Propanal boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 48 °C (118.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 48.89 °C (120 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 49 °C (120.2 °F) | ICSC |
Propanal melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -80 °C (-112 °F) | HSDB | |
| -81.11 °C (-114 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -81 °C (-113.8 °F) | ICSC |
Propanal density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.8 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 0.805 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.8657 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Propanal solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in water; miscible with ethanol, ethyl ether | HSDB | |
| SOL IN CHLOROFORM | HSDB | ||
| In water, 3.06X10+5 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Propanal vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 235 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
| 234.769 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 317 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Propanal flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -30 °C (-22 °F) | Closed cup | HSDB |
| -9.44 °C (15 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -30 °C (-22 °F) | ICSC |
Propanal autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 207.22 °C (405 °F) | HSDB | |
| 207 °C (404.6 °F) | ICSC |
Propanal lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.6 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 2.9 % by volume | HSDB |
Propanal upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 17 % by volume | HSDB |
Propanal vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
Propanal odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 1 ppm. | HSDB |
Propanal critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 222.78 °C (433 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Propanal 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.
Propanal fire potential
Flammable Liquid.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Propanal storage and handling
Propanal peroxide formation
D*: Other compounds that may form peroxides
Source: Lab and Research Safety, University of Minnesota
Propanal safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from acids, bases and oxidants. Cool. Keep in the dark. Store only if stabilized.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Propanal storage conditions
Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Store away from heat and oxidizers. Outside or detached storage is preferred. Inside storage should be in a standard flammable liquids storage warehouse, room, or cabinet. Separate from oxidizing materials and other reactive hazards.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Propanal incompatible materials
Reacts vigorously with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Propanal reactivity
PROPIONALDEHYDE may form explosive peroxides. Reacts vigorously with oxidizing agents. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame [Lewis]. Incompatible with strong bases and strong reducing agents. Vigorous polymerization reaction with methyl methacrylate. Polymerization may also occur in the presence of acids or caustics (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Propanal in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Propanal 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.
Propanal under UN 1275 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PROPIONALDEHYDE | 3 | F1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 3 is “Flammable liquids” (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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Propionaldehyde | 3 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 3 is “Flammable and combustible liquid” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Propanal — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Propanal?
The CAS number of Propanal is 123-38-6. Its EC number is 204-623-0.
What is the chemical formula of Propanal?
The molecular formula of Propanal is C3H6O and its molecular weight is 58.08 g/mol.
What does a Propanal label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Propanal carries the pictograms Flame and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is Propanal flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Propanal H225 — highly flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is -30 °C (-22 °F), Closed cup (HSDB).
Is Propanal a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Propanal. 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 Propanal?
The boiling point reported for Propanal is 48 °C (118.4 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Propanal?
The melting point reported for Propanal is -80 °C (-112 °F) (HSDB).
How should Propanal be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Propanal the storage statement P403. Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Store away from heat and oxidizers. Outside or detached storage is preferred. Inside storage should be in a standard flammable liquids storage warehouse, room, or cabinet. Separate from oxidizing materials and other reactive hazards. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Propanal
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