3,3'-methylenebis[5-methyloxazolidine]

Endpoint summary

Additional information

The substance 3,3’-Methylene-bis(5-methyloxazolidine) (MBO), a reaction mixture, is a clear or almost clear, colourless to yellowish liquid with amine-like odour. The viscosity is determined as 21 mPa s and the pH for a solution of 0.2 % is 9.57. The reaction mixture consists of several constituents. At room temperature MBO is completely miscible with water. In aqueous solution a dynamic equilibrium exists, whose composition depends on the concentration, pH value and temperature. Thus, a precise experimental determination of the physical-chemical properties of the mixture or its constituents is difficult.

The melting point of the reaction mixture was determined as -60.5 °C and the freezing point as -29.5 °C. The boiling point is in the range of 192.2 °C to 204.3 °C. The relative density is measured to be 1.05 at 20 °C.

The vapour pressure of the substance at 25 °C was experimentally determined in 2 studies as 5.83 hPa and 2.8 hPa, respectively. However, as the substance is a reaction mixture, probably water, 2-hydroxy­propylamine and/or formaldehyde had been measured in the gas phase. Therefore, the vapour pressure cannot be attributed to an individual constituent. In contrast to the experimental results, the calculated value for the main constituent 3,3’-methylene-bis[5-methyl-oxazolidine] (0.014 hPa at) is lower by several orders of magnitude and is considered most appropriate.

The partition coefficient between n-octanol and water was analysed considering different modifications of the test protocol. Based on the nominal concentration of the substance the log POW was -0. 043. Based on formaldehyde analysis the log POW was determined to be -0. 23 and based on analysis of 2-hydroxypropylamine the log POW was -0.55. A value of 1.89 was determined based on 5-methyl-oxazolidine.

The surface tension of MBO was measured to be 68.1 mN/m at 20°C. Therefore it is shown that MBO has no surface-active properties. The reaction mixture is highly soluble in standard fat at 37 °C and completely miscible with DMSO, ethanol, n-octanol and acetone at 21-23 °C. Partial solubility is observed with toluene and cyclohexane. The solubility in n-heptane is determined as 500-1000 mg/l at 20.5 °C.

The flash point of MBO is determined as 73 °C and the autoignition temperature is 273 °C at normal pressure. No release of flammable gas is observed for MBO after contact with water. The onset-temperature for exothermal degradation ranges from 186 °C to 190 °C. Considering a safety margin of 100 K, the substance can be handled safely up to 90°C. To analyse the oxidising or reducing potential of MBO, the substance was placed into contact for 24 h with water, mono ammonium phosphate, potassium permanganate and kerosene. No reaction was observed with either substance. Thus, MBO is considered non-oxidising. From the chemical structure and the composition of the substance it can be safely concluded that the substance does not evolve any explosive properties. Furthermore, MBO is handled and marketed as aqueous solution, which prevents explosive properties.

The substance is packed and stored in LDPE containers or in steel barrels or containers coated with LDPE. Experience of the manufacturer shows, that these materials are suitable for storage and transport of the substance.