Acrolein

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Acrolein
Image:Acrolein-skeletal.png
General
Systematic name	2-Propenal
Other names	Acraldehyde Acrylic Aldehyde Allyl Aldehyde Ethylene Aldehyde
Molecular formula	C₃H₄O
Molar mass	56.06 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless to yellow liquid. Irritating odor.
CAS number	107-02-8
Properties
Vapor density (air=1)	1.94
Solubility in water	Appreciable (> 10%)
Melting point	-88 °C (-126 °F)
Boiling point	53 °C (127 °F)
Hazards
MSDS	External MSDS<ref name="http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/a1538.htm">External MSDS</ref>
Main hazards	Highly poisonous. Causes severe irritation to exposed membranes. Extremely flammable liquid and vapor.
NFPA 704	Image:NFPA 704.svg 3 3 2
Flash point	-26°C
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

In organic chemistry, acrolein or propenal is the simplest unsaturated aldehyde.

Acrolein is described as having a piercing, disagreeable, acrid smell. Skin exposure causes serious damage. Acrolein concentrations of 2 ppm are immediately dangerous to life. Acrolein may be easily produced by the action of approximately 1 part sodium bisulfate on 3 parts glycerine by weight.

Acrolein is such a severe pulmonary irritant and lacrimating agent that it has been used as a chemical weapon during World War I. It is, however, not outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention.

When glycerol is heated to 280 °C, it decomposes into acrolein.<ref name="http://membership.acs.org/c/ccs/pubs/CLIPS/JCE20030025.pdf">http://membership.acs.org/c/ccs/pubs/CLIPS/JCE20030025.pdf</ref>

Acrolein is also a metabolite of the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide, and is associated with hemorrhagic cystitis.

1 Cancer link
2 Acrolein test
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Cancer link

Acrolein is a suspected human carcinogen.<ref name="http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/acrolein.html">http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/acrolein.html</ref> <ref name="http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=535235">http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=535235</ref> In October 2006, Dr. Moon-shong Tang, and researchers at New York University, found major connections between acrolein in tobacco cigarettes and certain cooking oils and the risk of lung cancer.

[edit] Acrolein test

Acrolein test is a test for the presence of glycerin or fats. A sample is heated with potassium bisulfate, and acrolein is released if the test is positive.<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/acrolein-test</ref> When a fat is heated strongly in the presence of a dehydrating agent such as KHSO₄, the glycerol portion of the molecule is dehydrated to form the unsaturated aldehyde, acrolein (CH₂=CH-CHO), which has the peculiar odor of burnt grease.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Link page to external chemical sources.

Image:WMD-chemical.svg This article forms part of the series <center>Chemical warfare
Blood agents:	Cyanogen chloride (CK) – Hydrogen cyanide (AC)
Blister agents:	Lewisite (L) – Sulfur mustard gas (HD, H, HT, HL, HQ) – Nitrogen mustard gas (HN1, HN2, HN3)
Nerve agents:	G-Agents: Tabun (GA) – Sarin (GB) – Soman (GD) – Cyclosarin (GF) – GV \| V-Agents: VE – VG – VM – VX
Pulmonary agents:	Chlorine – Chloropicrin (PS) – Phosgene (CG) – Diphosgene (DP)
Incapacitating agents:	Agent 15 (BZ) – KOLOKOL-1
Riot control agents:	Pepper spray (OC) – CS gas – CN gas (mace) – CR gas	v • d • e</div>