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Chemical Datasheet
SODIUM METHYLATE |
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Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
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- Spontaneously Combustible
- Corrosive
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NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
none
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NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Sodium methylate is a white amorphous powder. It reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide, a corrosive material, and methyl alcohol, a flammable liquid. The heat from this reaction may be sufficient to ignite surrounding combustible material or the sodium methylate itself if the water is present in only small amounts. It is used to process edible fats and oils, and to make other chemicals.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
- Strong Reducing Agent
- Water-Reactive
- Pyrophoric
Air & Water Reactions
Ignites in moist air [Wischmeyer 1966]. with moist air, autoignition is possible; strong reducing agent; reacts with light metals forming H2 gas, with fire and explosion hazards; reacts violently with water to form methanol and sodium hydroxide, and with acids, causing hazard of methanol ignition [Handling 365betÓéÀÖ Safely 1980 p. 850].
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Contact with water or foam applied to adjacent fires will produce flammable methanol. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation of dust causes severe irritation of nose and throat. Contact with eyes or skin causes severe irritation and burns. Ingestion causes irritation of mouth and stomach. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
SODIUM METHYLATE is a strong base. Reacts with light metals forming H2 gas, with fire and explosion hazards. Too rapid addition of sodium methylate to a mixture of chloroform and methanol initiated an uncontrolled exothermic reaction between the chloroform and the methylate that caused a violent explosion [MCA Case History 693 1961]. Sodium methoxide is incompatible with 4-chloronitrobenzene and fluorinated cyclopropenyl methyl ethers, such as perfluoromethoxycyclopropene. The reactions are vigorous and may initiate ignition [Bretherick, 5th Ed., 1995].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been
known to react with the
absorbents
listed below.
- Cellulose-Based Absorbents
- Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:
DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.
LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
FIRE INVOLVING METALS OR POWDERS (ALUMINUM, LITHIUM, MAGNESIUM, ETC.): Use dry chemical, DRY sand, sodium chloride powder, graphite powder or class D extinguishers; in addition, for Lithium you may use Lith-X® powder or copper powder. Also, see ERG Guide 170.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.
SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.
POWDER SPILL: Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Self-contained breathing apparatus; rubber gloves and apron; goggles or face shield. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical |
CAS Number |
State |
QS |
QC |
SL |
C3 |
TF |
TP |
RC |
TK |
RF |
Sodium methylate (50% in Methanol) |
124-41-4 |
Liquid |
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>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be
used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or
explosive environments. Only...
(DuPont, 2024)
First Aid
Get medical attention at once following all exposures to this compound.
INHALATION: remove victim from contamination and keep him quiet and warm. Rest is essential. Hot tea or coffee may be given as a stimulant if patient is conscious. If breathing has apparently ceased, give artificial respiration. If available, oxygen should be administered by experienced personnel.
EYES: wash well with water, then with 3% boric acid solution and additional water washes.
SKIN: wash well with water, then with dilute vinegar.
INGESTION: if victim is conscious, induce vomiting by administering a glassful of warm water containing a teaspoon full of salt; repeat until vomit is clear, then give two teaspoons of baking soda every 15 min.; keep victim's eyes covered until all visual and retinal changes have disappeared; alert physician to possibility of methyl alcohol poisoning. (USCG, 1999)
Physical Properties
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
greater than 1
at 68°F
(USCG, 1999)
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight:
54
(USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
No AEGL information available.
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical |
PAC-1 |
PAC-2 |
PAC-3 |
Sodium methylate (124-41-4)
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6.1 mg/m3 |
67 mg/m3 |
400 mg/m3 |
(DOE, 2024)
Regulatory Information
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
Regulatory Name |
CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ |
EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
Sodium methylate |
124-41-4 |
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1000 pounds |
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(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
No regulatory information available.
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.
Alternate Chemical Names
- FELDALAT NM
- METHOXYSODIUM
- SODIUM METHANOLATE
- SODIUM METHOXIDE
- SODIUM METHYLATE
- SODIUM METHYLATE, DRY
- SODIUM METHYLATE, [DRY]