Introduction of Acryloyl Chloride :  

Acryloyl chloride is an essential industrial chemical that is usually used in the synthesizing of organic materials. It is called Acryloyl chloride. C3 H3 ClO or Acrylyl chloride is necessary as an intermediate in producing the pharmaceutical, polymer, and agrochemical sectors. Organizations should handle this chemical with proper safety protocols due to its corrosiveness and flammability. Therefore, organizations should follow strict safety protocols and adequate handling methods to decrease exposure and ensure a safe and secure working environment while handling Acryloyl chloride.   

 

What is Acryloyl chloride? 

Acryloyl chloride, or C3 H3 ClO, is a reactive organic compound known as Acrylic Acid chloride, Acryloyl chloride, 2-propenoyl chloride, and Propenoyl chloride. It is a colorless liquid with a pungent smell.  Anhydride is formed if Acryloyl chloride is treated with sodium salts of carboxylic acids. Acryloyl chloride reacts with water and produces acrylic acid.     

Polymers are commonly used in manufacturing adhesives, textiles, coatings, and pharmaceuticals. Acryloyl chloride is an intermediate in producing polymers (such as polyacrylamides, polyacrylates, and polyacrylic acids). Exposure to Acryloyl chloride can cause skin irritation and Pulmonary Edema. This is corrosive and toxic. Due to its toxicity, it requires proper storage and safe handling methods. 

 The key components of this chemical and safety protocols for the organizations are discussed below. 

 

Key Components of Acryloyl chloride 

Chemical Bond of Acryloyl chloride

Chemical Bond:  

The chemical formula of Acryloyl chloride is C₃H₃ClO. This chemical contains a carbon-carbon double bond and a carbon-oxygen double bond. It is a carbonyl group -the carbon-chlorine single bond. 

Properties:   

Acryloyl chloride is a volatile acid chloride and a flammable liquid. Its properties are classified into physical and chemical, which are discussed below.     

Physical properties:  

  • Acryloyl chloride is a colorless liquid.  
  • It has a pungent smell.  
  • The boiling point of Acryloyl chloride is 167 °F at 760 mmHg.  
  • The flash point of this chemical is 14 °C (57 °F) in a closed cup.  
  • The vapor density of C₃H₃ClO is 1.1136 at 68 °F.  
  • The vapor pressure of Acryloyl chloride is 93.0 mmHg.  
  • The Molecular Weight of this chemical is 90.51 g/mol.  
  • C3H3ClO or Acryloyl chloride is soluble in chlorinated solvents.  

 

Chemical properties:  

 Acryloyl chloride is an intermediate in the production of polyacrylamides, polyacrylates, and polyacrylic acids. When it reacts with water, it produces acrylic acid.   

 

Industrial Usage  

C₃H₃ClO or Acryloyl chloride is a volatile, highly flammable liquid. It is used in various industries despite its corrosiveness and toxicity. Look at the key industries that use this chemical:  

 

1. Acrylic Fibers Production:   

Acrylic fibers are used to manufacture textiles, carpets, and other synthetic fibers. Acryloyl chloride works as a polymer to produce acrylic fibers. 

  

2. Acrylic Polymers Production:   

In Polymer production sector, Acryloyl chloride is used as a monomer to produce acrylic polymers, which are indispensable in manufacturing adhesives, coatings, and plastics.   

  

3. Leather Finishing Agents Production:   

Leather finishing agents are vital in improving leather product’s appearance, durability, and performance. Acryloyl chloride is used in the production of leather finishing agents  

  

4. Super-absorbent Polymers Production:  

Acryloyl chloride is used to produce super-absorbent polymers, which are used to manufacture diapers, feminine hygiene products, and agricultural applications.   

  

5. Water Treatment Chemicals Production:   

Water treatment chemicals such as coagulants and flocculants are very essential thing. These two chemicals are used to remove impurities from water. Acryloyl chloride helps in the productions of these chemicals.   

 

6. Agrochemicals Production:   

Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are very necessary thing in agricultural sector. Acryloyl chloride helps in the productions of these two agrochemicals. 

 

7. Textile Finishing Agents Production:   

Acryloyl chloride is vital in producing textile finishing agents and improving textiles’ appearance, durability, and performance. 

 

8. Paper Coatings Production:   

Paper coatings are used to improve the printability and durability of paper products. Acryloyl chloride helps in the paper coatings production.  

  

9. Pharmaceuticals Production:   

Acryloyl chloride is used to produce antibiotics, antivirals, and anti-inflammatory drugs.  

 

Hazards of Acryloyl chloride:

 

1) Health Hazards  

Short-term or Acute Health Hazards  

  • After inhaling Acryloyl chloride (in spray mist form), workers may experience irritation in their nose, throat, and lungs. This irritation can cause wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath.    
  • After exposure to Acryloyl chloride, workers may experience irritation in their skin and eyes (corneal damage).   

Long-term or Chronic Health Hazards  

  • Long-term exposure to C3H3CLO or Acryloyl chloride can irritate the skin and eyes. Sometimes, workers lose their eyesight permanently. 
  • Inhalation of Acryloyl chloride in the long term can lead to pulmonary Edema.  

  

2) Reproductive Hazards  

The reproductive effects of Acryloyl chloride on the human body haven’t proved to date. 

 

3) Cancer Hazards  

The carcinogenic effects of Acryloyl chloride on the human body haven’t proved to date. 

 

 4) Flammability  

Acryloyl chloride is highly reactive with strong oxidizers. Its (Acryloyl chloride) vapor can travel to an ignition source and flash back. In a fire situation or extreme heat, closed containers of this chemical may explode. It is highly flammable when exposed to open flames, sparks, or heat.  

 

Safety measures for handling Acryloyl chloride 

i) When handling Acryloyl chloride, Organizations must provide some hygiene safety measures given by OSHA.     

  • The authorities should provide essential training to ensure worker safety, including instruction on cleaning up spills and detector tubes and implementing containment procedures.
  • Accurate labeling of the Acryloyl chloride containers is necessary.
  • Arranging emergency showers.
  • Providing OSHA-approved on-site screening devices.
  • Proper gloves, face shields, masks, goggles, and PPE are essential.
  • All equipment should be explosion-proof, and tools should be non-sparking.

 

ii) What are the safety measures workers should follow? 

 

When handling Acryloyl chloride, Workers must follow some hygiene safety measures given by OSHA.     

  • Workers must wash their hands with soap and water before eating, drinking, smoking, or using cosmetics. 
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, goggles (indirect-vent, splash- and impact-resistant), face shields, protective suits, and headgear must be worn. All PPE should be clean and in good condition before use. 
  • At the end of each shift, workers are required to remove any contaminated clothing and footwear. These items must not be taken home. 

  

Workers must follow more safety methods as per OSHA when spills or emergencies happen.     

  • Workers or employees should leave the area immediately in case of spills or leaks. They should not use water (for cleaning) in the affected area; it will cause violent reactions.       
  • If the workers suspect the presence of Acryloyl chloride in any confined area, they must use the on-site screening devices (before entering that place) to confirm the existence of this chemical.    
  • Workers should absorb the liquid with cement powder, ash, dry earth, or any non-combustible material when leaks occur and keep the mixture in a closed container.   

 

 

First-aid measures 

✅Eyes  

  • It is essential to detach the contact lenses of the victims.   
  • Washing the victims’ eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes is necessary. 
  • The victims should be treated sympathetically.  
  • Applying ointment or oil is strictly prohibited.  
  • The victims should be taken to healthcare providers for detailed medical investigation. 

  

✅Skin   

  • Taking off the victims’ contaminated uniforms is essential.   
  • Wash the victim’s affected skin with non-abrasive soap and running water (shower) and then transfer them to a hospital for a detailed checkup.  
  • Forcing the victims to vomit is strictly prohibited.  
  • If victims become unconscious or start convulsing, take them to the hospital immediately.      
  • If victims are conscious, medical checkups are necessary for them, too.  

  

✅Inhalation   

  • Victims and other workers should evacuate the contaminated area quickly.   
  • If the victims are not breathing, respiratory support and oxygen are essential.   
  • After that, victims should be taken to the hospital for a thorough medical checkup.  

 

Conclusion:  

The above discussion highlighted the key components of Acryloyl chloride (C3H3CLO), an indispensable chemical in several industrial sectors. Despite its volatility, flammability, and potentially hazardous nature, industry authorities should maintain proper safety protocols to maximize its benefits without decreasing the safety of humans, animals, and the environment.