Material Safety Data Sheet: Tetradecanethiol
Identification
Product Name: Tetradecanethiol
Chemical Formula: C14H30S
Synonyms: 1-Tetradecanethiol, Myristyl mercaptan
CAS Number: 112-70-9
Recommended Use: Uses in chemical research, manufacturing, specialized laboratory processes
Manufacturer Contact Information: Refer to supplier's details for up-to-date emergency numbers and business address
Emergency Phone: Refer to local supplier-specific emergency hotline
Prepared by: Safety and Regulatory Affairs Team
Hazard Identification
Classification: Flammable liquids (Category 4), Acute toxicity (Category 4, Oral), Skin irritation (Category 2), Eye irritation (Category 2A)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin and eye irritation, combustible liquid
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, Flame
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors, wash skin thoroughly after handling, keep away from heat and ignition sources, wear appropriate protective equipment, eat or drink only after proper hand washing
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Potential Health Effects: Headache, dizziness, nausea, skin redness, tearing, gastrointestinal disturbance on ingestion
Environmental Impact: Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Substance: Tetradecanethiol
Chemical Identity: 1-Tetradecanethiol
Chemical Formula: C14H30S
Concentration: >98% pure substance
Impurities: Typical commercial grades contain minor unidentified organic sulfides or hydrocarbon byproducts
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air without delay, monitor for breathing difficulties, provide oxygen or CPR if breathing is difficult or absent, seek immediate medical assistance
Skin Contact: Wash exposed area thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing and shoes promptly, consult a physician if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with clean water for at least 15 minutes lifting upper and lower lids occasionally, remove any contact lenses if present and easy to do, seek immediate ophthalmology evaluation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, do not induce vomiting, seek medical advice without delay, provide symptom descriptions
Medical Attention: Physicians should treat symptoms and monitor for delayed pulmonary or neurological effects
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, water spray used only to cool containers, not for direct extinguishing
Unsuitable Media: Do not use direct stream of water which may spread the burning liquid
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, irritating or toxic fumes
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters use self-contained breathing apparatus and fully protective gear
Firefighting Instructions: Remove undamaged containers from area if safe, cool exposed containers with water spray, avoid inhaling combustion products, evacuate area if necessary
Specific Hazards: Vapors can form explosive mixtures with air above flash point, product emits toxic fumes in a fire situation, containers may burst if heated due to pressure build-up
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Keep unnecessary and unprotected people away, wear full protective equipment including gloves, eye protection, and respirator for vapor exposure risk
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do, keep out of drains, surface water, and soil, report large spills to environmental authorities
Methods for Clean Up: Absorb spilled material with inert absorbents such as sand or vermiculite, shovel collected material into proper chemical waste containers, ventilate area, clean contaminated surfaces with detergent and water, dispose of waste according to section on disposal
Handling and Storage
Safe Handling: Always handle in well-ventilated areas, avoid breathing vapors, prevent eye and skin contact, clean up spills quickly, do not smoke or use open flames near open containers
Storage Conditions: Store tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated, and flame-proof location, away from direct sunlight and incompatible substances such as oxidizing agents
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, oxidizing materials
Special Requirements: Ground and bond containers and handling equipment, use explosion-proof electrical equipment, keep out of reach of children and unauthorized persons
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific exposure limits established for Tetradecanethiol, consider general nuisance limits for organic vapors or consult national/regional guidelines
Engineering Controls: Use only with adequate mechanical ventilation, employ local exhaust at points of emission, maintain negative pressure in working area
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, chemical resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), long-sleeved lab coat, closed-toe shoes, use NIOSH approved respirator for vapor/mist if exposure limits exceeded
Hygiene Measures: Always wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling, change contaminated clothing, do not eat, drink, or smoke near work areas
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow oily liquid
Odor: Strong, unpleasant, sulfur-like (mercaptan) odor
Odor Threshold: Detectable at very low concentrations due to strong odor
pH: Not applicable (non-aqueous material)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: 19–20 °C (66–68 °F)
Boiling Point: 305–310 °C (581–590 °F)
Flash Point: 127 °C (260 °F) (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Not available
Flammability: Combustible
Vapor Pressure: Very low at room temperature
Vapor Density: Heavier than air
Relative Density: 0.844–0.852 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Solubility in Water: Insoluble
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): High, not water soluble
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 363 °C (685 °F)
Decomposition Temperature: Data not available
Viscosity: High viscosity liquid at room temperature
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Inert to most materials at room temperature
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with strong oxidizers, possible formation of flammable vapors in presence of open flames or high heat
Hazardous Decomposition: Thermal decomposition yields toxic gases including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and sulfur oxides
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizing agents, strong acids and bases
Toxicological Information
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat) reported as 1320 mg/kg, considered moderately toxic
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes irritation, reddening, possible blistering with prolonged contact
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes significant irritation, tearing, redness, may result in chemical conjunctivitis
Respiratory Sensitization: Exposure to high concentrations may cause coughing, respiratory tract irritation
Dermal Sensitization: Prolonged or repeated contact may provoke allergic skin response in sensitive individuals
Chronic Toxicity: Long-term exposure not fully studied; repeated exposure may affect liver or kidneys based on structural similarity with related alkane thiols
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by NTP, IARC, OSHA
Other Data: No specific evidence of reproductive or developmental toxicity, seek advice for workplace monitoring if exposure anticipated
Ecological Information
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to fish and aquatic organisms, LC50 (96h, fish) estimated at 1–10 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Poorly biodegradable, persistent in environment
Bioaccumulative Potential: Potential to bioaccumulate in aquatic and terrestrial organisms due to oil solubility and low water solubility
Mobility in Soil: Adsorbs to soil, may reach groundwater in significant spills
Other Adverse Effects: Causes strong odor nuisances at very low concentrations, report large environmental releases to authorities
Disposal Considerations
Waste Generation: Minimize waste by utilizing all product in application, collect and label all waste for chemical disposal
Disposal Methods: Incinerate or dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations using licensed hazardous waste contractor
Container Disposal: Triple rinse empty containers, dispose containers as hazardous waste unless regulations allow recycling after proper cleaning
Special Precautions: Prevent material from entering sewers or watercourses, inform relevant local authorities of large releases
Transport Information
UN Number: 1993 (if classified as flammable liquid, n.o.s.)
Proper Shipping Name: Flammable Liquid, n.o.s. (contains Tetradecanethiol)
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (flammable liquids)
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes - harmful to aquatic environment
Labels Required: Flammable liquid
Special Transport Precautions: Seal containers, label clearly, secure within secondary containment for over-the-road and air shipments
Regulatory References: Refer to specific country and international transport codes (e.g., DOT, IATA, IMDG)
Regulatory Information
Safety, health, and environmental regulations: Subject to chemical workplace safety and hazardous material inventory requirements, review national chemical inventory status (TSCA, EINECS, REACH), classified as hazardous for notification and usage reporting in many jurisdictions
OSHA Hazards: Flammable liquid, skin irritant, acute toxicant
SARA Title III: Not expressly listed as reportable; review Section 313 for thiol category inclusion
California Prop 65: Not listed by itself
WHMIS Classification (Canada): B3 (Combustible Liquid), D2B (Toxic Material Causing Other Effects)
Other Regulatory Listings: Product may require special handling, labeling, risk assessment prior to laboratory or industrial use