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Johann Haltermann, Ltd. 16717 Jacintoport Blvd.

Houston, TX 77015-6544 Phone: 281-452-5951

Fax: 281-457-1128 ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Product Safety Bulletin

Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) ____________________________________________________________________________________________

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) is a clear, colorless liquid. MIBC exposure is possible in both industrial and consumer applications. Occupational exposure limits have been established to control the allowable amount of exposure in workplace settings.

Consumer exposure, generally infrequent and short in duration, is also highly dependent upon the conditions under which MIBC is used. See Health Information.

MIBC does not cause adverse health or environmental effects at levels typically found in the workplace or in the environment.

OTHER NAMES

CAS 108-11-2 MIBC 4-Methylpentan-2-ol Isobutyl methyl carbinol Methyl amyl alcohol EINECS No: 203-551-7 1,3-Dimethylbutanol 2-Methyl-4-pentanol 2-Pentanol, 4-methyl- 4-Methyl-2-amyl alcohol 4-Methyl-2-pentyl alcohol Isobutylmethylcarbinol Isobutylmethylmethanol Methyl amyl alcohol

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TYPICAL PROPERTIES

Molecular Weight C6H14O Empirical Formula 102.2 g/mol Appearance Colorless Liquid Boiling Point @ 760mm Hg Boiling Point: 131.7C (269.1F) Freezing Point Freezing Point: -90C (-130F) Flash Point Closed Cup Flash Point: 40.5C (105F) Autoignition Temperature 305C Density @ 20C 0.81 g/cm3 Vapor Pressure @ 20C 0.42 kPa Evaporation Rate (n-butyl acetate = 1) (ether = 1)

0.28 66

Solubility @ 20C (in water) (water in)

1.6% m/m 6.3% m/m

Surface Tension @ 20C 23 mN/m Refractive Index @ 20C 1.410 Viscosity @ 20C 5.2 mPas Lower Explosive Limit 1.0 v/v/% Upper Explosive Limit 5.5 v/v% Conductivity @ 20C 0.3 S/m Dielectric Constant @ 20C 10.4 Specific Heat @ 20C 2.4 kJ/kg/C Heat of Vaporization @ Tboil 413 kJ/kg Heat of Combustion (net) @ 25C 36000 kJ/kg Odor Threshold 1.1 ppm

Note: The properties reported above are typical physical properties. Haltermann in no way guarantees that the product from any particular lot will conform exactly to the given values.

PRODUCT USES

MIBC is primarily used (~70%) in the production of lube oil additives and for antiwear and corrosion inhibitors.

The second largest use of MIBC (~20%) is as a flotation frother for treating copper ores, coal and tar sand mining. In mining frother applications, MIBC is used in the ppm range, with usual concentrations less than 1000 ppm and in many cases in the hundreds of ppm range (100 - 600 ppm).

The remaining production is primarily for its use as an additive to surface coatings as a solvent to maintain binder softness until the binder fuses.

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HEALTH INFORMATION

Anesthetic effects can be expected at high vapor concentrations. Vapor concentrations of 50 ppm for 15 minutes are irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. The ACGIH TLV-TWA for MIBC is 25 ppm (104 mg/m3) and the TLV-STEL is 40 ppm (167 mg/m3). The 4-hour LC50 for MIBC was > 16 mg/L (3776 ppm).

MIBC has minimal acute toxicity by oral and dermal routes of exposure. The acute oral and dermal LD50 values for MIBC are 2260 - 2970 mg/kg and 2870 mg/kg, respectively.

There are no known sensitization or cancer hazards.

POTENTIAL FOR EXPOSURE

There is a potential for occupational and consumer exposure through inhalation and skin contact although exposures through inhalation are expected to be low due to the low vapor pressure.

Based on the uses for MIBC the public could be exposed through:

Workplace exposure With the exception of the use in tar sand mining, frothers are used in closed systems and only catastrophic failure results in any appreciable exposure. In tar sand mining, the MIBC is added to the tar sand and the sand is spread out and allowed to dry. The majority of MIBC from this use is volatilized to the air. Exposure (in the ppm range) is typically limited to the equipment operator pushing the sand. MIBC used as an intermediate in the manufacture of lube oil additives is blended with other alcohols and reacted. Normally these reactors are closed systems and exposure is limited to upsets or catastrophic failure of the reactor.

Consumer use of products containing MIBC Minimal exposure to vapors from the use of MIBC as a solvent in coating applications may also occur. Overall, consumer exposure to MIBC is expected to be negligible.

Environmental releases MIBC can enter the environment as emissions from its manufacture and use as a frother. 94% is biodegraded within 20 days.

Chemical manufacturers are committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner everywhere business is done. Efforts are guided by in-depth scientific understanding of the environmental impact of operations, as well as the social and economic needs of the communities. Industrial spills or releases are rare; however a spill may pose a significant flammability issue.

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REGULATORY STATUS

Refer to the JHL Material Safety Data sheet for more specific information.

MIBC is not subject to the reporting requirement of CERCLA.

MIBC is not SARA Section 313 chemical.

MIBC is on the U.S. TSCA list and is included in the EEC's EINECS, Canadian DSL, Australian and Japanese chemical inventories.

STORAGE AND HANDLING

General industry practice is to store MIBC in carbon steel vessels.

MIBC should be stored only in tightly closed, properly vented containers away from heat, sparks, open flame or strong oxidizing agents.

Provided proper storage and handling precautions are taken, expect MIBC to be technically stable for at least 12 months.

Handle empty containers carefully. Combustible residue remains after emptying.

Undue exposure or spillage should be strictly avoided as a matter of good practice. Refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet for more specific information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Johann Haltermann Ltd. MIBC MSDS OECD SIDS Assessment for MIBC

The information in this Product Safety Bulletin is made without warranty. Johann Haltermann, Ltd. disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information, and does not warranty against infringement by reason of the use of any of its products in combination with other materials in any process.