Functional Roles
Industries Served
Physical Properties
physical_description
Vinyl acetate appears as a clear colorless liquid. Flash point 18 u00b0F. Density 7.8 lb / gal. Slightly soluble in water. Vapors are heavier than air. Vapors irritate the eyes and respiratory system. May polymerize if heated or contaminated. If polymerization occurs inside a container, the container may violently rupture. Used to make adhesives, paints, and plastics.
color/form
COLORLESS, MOBILE LIQUID
odor
An initially pleasant odor which quickly becomes sharp and irritating ... Not unpleasant , sweetish smell in small quantities
boiling_point
162 to 163 u00b0F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
melting_point
-136 u00b0F (EPA, 1998)
flash_point
-8 u00b0C, 18 u00b0F (CLOSED CUP)
solubility
At 20 u00b0C, a saturated solution of vinyl acetate in water contains 2.0-2.4 wt % vinyl acetate, whereas a saturated solution of water in vinyl acetate contains 0.9-1.0 wt % water; at 50 u00b0C, the solubility of vinyl acetate in water is 0.1 wt % more than at 20 u00b0C, but the solubility of water in vinyl acetate doubles to about 2 wt %
density
0.932 at 68 u00b0F (EPA, 1998) - Less dense than water; will float
vapor_density
3 (EPA, 1998) - Heavier than air; will sink (Relative to Air)
vapor_pressure
83 to 140 mmHg at 68 to 86 u00b0F (EPA, 1998)
logp
log Kow = 0.73
stability/shelf_life
... Polymerizes in light ...
autoignition_temperature
756 u00b0F (USCG, 1999)
decomposition
WHEN HEATED TO DECOMP, BURNS & EMITS FUMES WITH AN ACRID ODOR.
viscosity
0.43 cPs at 20 u00b0C
heat_of_combustion
-9754 BTU/lb = -5419 cal/g = -226.9X10+5 J/kg
heat_of_vaporization
163 BTU/lb = 90.6 cal/g = 3.79X10+5 J/kg
surface_tension
23.95 DYNES/CM= 0.02395 N/M @ 20 u00b0C
ionization_potential
9.19 eV
polymerization
...it may undergo spontaneous exothermic polymerization. Reaction with air or water to form peroxides that catalyze an exothermic polymerization reaction has caused several large industrial explosions...Solution polymerization of the acetate disolved in toluene has resulted in large industrial explosions. Polymerization reaction with dibenzoyl peroxide + ethyl acetate may react release ignitable and explosive vapor ...
odor_threshold
50% recognition threshold /the concn at which 50% of the odor panel defined the odor as being representive of the odorant being studied/: 0.40 ppm; 100% recognition threshold: 0.55 ppm.
refractive_index
Index of refraction: 1.3926 at 25 u00b0C
relative_evaporation_rate
8.9 (n-Butyl acetate = 1)
collision_cross_section
227.2 u00e2u201eu00abu00c2u00b2 [M+H]+ [CCS Type: DT; Method: stepped-field]
kovats_retention_index
564
other_experimental_properties
For more Other Experimental Properties (Complete) data for VINYL ACETATE (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
GHS / SDS Safety
Danger
Irritant
Health Hazard
Flammable
- H351: Suspected of causing cancer [Warning Carcinogenicity]
- H350: May cause cancer [Danger Carcinogenicity]
- H332 (56.8%): Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H412 (28.9%): Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard]
- H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
- H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]
- H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]
- H225: Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]
- H335 (56.7%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]
- H373: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]
- H401: Toxic to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]
- H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]
- H351 (57.8%): Suspected of causing cancer [Warning Carcinogenicity]
- Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria by 1 of 1 companies. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website.
- H316: Causes mild skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]
- H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Narcotic effects]
- H225 (> 99.9%): Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]
- Not Classified
- H332: Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H303: May be harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]
- H341: Suspected of causing genetic defects [Warning Germ cell mutagenicity]
- H412: Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard]
- H313: May be harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]
Chemical Identity
| CAS Number | 108-05-4 |
| IUPAC Name | ethenyl acetate |
| InChI Key | XTXRWKRVRITETP-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| PubChem CID | 7904 |
| INCI Name | VINYL ACETATE |
Synonyms & Trade Names
Full Description
Vinyl acetate (VAM) is a flammable organic ester with the molecular formula C4H6O2 that functions as a crosslinking and curing agent in industrial applications. This chemical serves critical roles in the coatings & construction and plastics & polymers industries, where it enables polymerization and crosslinking reactions. With a low flash point of 18°F and density of 0.932 at 68°F, vinyl acetate requires careful handling due to its flammable nature and health hazard classification.