GPS Safety Summary

Sodium Methylate

This Product Safety Summary is intended to provide a general overview of

the chemical substance in the context of ICCA Global Product Strategy. The
information on the summary is basic information and is not intended to
provide emergency response information, medical information or treatment
information.

Substance name

Sodium methylate
CAS-No.: 124-41-4

General statement
Sodium methylate is used as an intermediate in the chemical industry under
well controlled conditions. Therefore, exposure is very limited. Consumer
risk and exposure is very unlikely as sodium methylate is manufactured and
handled in industrial settings only.

The environmental effects, ecotoxicology and toxicology information

available for sodium methylate is provided based on studies and/or a reliable
evaluation of its hazardous properties.

Sodium methylate should not enter surface water, groundwater water and
soil. General and substance specific operational conditions and risk
management measures are in place preventing exposure to workers and
release to the environment.

Chemical identity

Name Sodium methylate

Brand names NM, NMP
Chemical name (IUPAC) Sodium methanolate
CAS number 124-41-4
EC number 204-699-5
Molecular formula CH3ONa

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 Structure

Synonyms Sodium methoxide;

Methoxysodium;
Methanol, sodium salt

Uses and application

Sodium methylate is used in industrial settings as intermediate in

pharmaceutical and agrochemical synthesis, trans- esterification of vegetable
oils for biodiesel production as well as laboratory chemical.

Physical/chemical properies
Sodium methylate is a white, solid powder with no odor at standard
temperature and pressure. The density is 1.3 g/cm, which is higher than
that of water. Sodium methylate reacts violently with water and decomposes
immediately to sodium hydroxide and methanol. It is classified as a
flammable and auto-flammable solid, but it is neither an oxidizer nor an
explosive. The substance self-ignites at 25 - 50 C.

Property Value
Form(s) powder
Physical state solid at 20 C and 1013 hPa
Color white
Odor odorless
Density 1.3 g/cm3 at 20 C
Melting/boiling point 350 C (1013 hPa) / > 350 C
decomposition
Flammability Highly flammable solid
Self-ignition temperature 25 - 50 C
Vapor pressure 0.0000014Pa at 25 C
Molecular weight 54.02 g/mol
Water solubility not applicable , decomposes in contact
with water
Octanol-water partition Log Pow: -0.72 (25 C), calculated
coefficient decomposes in contact with water

Health effects
The predominant health effect of sodium methylate is its corrosivity. The
substance has a low potential for acute toxicity by oral exposure. Sodium
methylate is not considered mutagenic and genotoxic.

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 Health effects

Effect Assessment Result

Acute toxicity (oral, dermal
and inhalation)
Irritation/corrosion
Skin/eye/respiratory tract
Sensitization
Mutagenicity / clastogenicity
Toxicity after repeated
exposure
Toxicity for reproduction
The acute toxicity is based on
corrosivity at the first site of contact.
Corrosive to skin, eyes and respiratory
tract.
Not considered to be sensitizing after
skin contact.
Not considered to be
genotoxic/mutagen.
Not considered to be carcinogenic.
Not considered to be toxic for
reproduction.

Environmental effects
Based on available data for the substance, sodium methylate is with high
probability acutely not harmful to aquatic organisms. The product is readily
biodegradable and it has no potential to bioaccumulate.

Environmental effects

Effect Assessment Result

Aquatic toxicity With high probability acutely not harmful to
aquatic organisms

Fate and Behavior Result

Biodegradation Readily degradable

Bioaccumulation potential Accumulation is not to be expected
PBT / vPvB conclusion Criteria for PBT or vPvB are not fulfilled

Exposure
Human health

Worker:
Worker exposure to this chemical in the manufacturing facilities is low
because the process, storage and handling operations are enclosed. Specific
operational conditions and risk management measures assure limited
workplace exposures. These practices include handling with good ventilation.
All workers are trained in the safety measures of handling the substance
including using personal protective equipment.

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Exposure of the worker has been assessed. The occupational use of this
substance is considered to be safe for the worker following the
recommended safety measures given in the safety data sheet.
Consumer:

Direct use by consumers is not intended and therefore, consumers will not
come in contact with sodium methylate.
Environment

Sodium methylate is used in chemical industry in closed systems and

therefore no release to the environment is expected. Direct use by
consumers is not intended. When containers and tanks are cleaned, residues
are disposed of as hazardous waste.

Risk management recommendations

All personal protective measures (respiratory protection, hand protection, eye
protection, skin and body protection) must be used and must be strictly
observed. All work is done by regularly trained personnel. The requirements
for disposal are strictly monitored.

When using chemicals make sure that there is adequate ventilation. Always
use appropriate chemical resistant gloves to protect your hands and skin and
always wear eye protection such as chemical goggles. Do not eat, drink,
smoke where chemicals are handled, processed or stored. All releases that
may include the substance must be directed to a wastewater treatment plant
that removes the substance from the final releases to the receiving water.
Releases to air are not expected and therefore no specific recommendations
are required.

Special care is to be taken to avoid skin and eye contact.

State agency review

Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation,

Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
EU REACH registration number: 01-2119519241-51-0000
OECD/SIDS
UN-GHS Regulation ST/SG/AC.10/30

IPCS International Chemical Safety Card

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Regulatory information/classification and labelling

GHS-
GHS-Labeling

Statutory basis UN-GHS Regulation ST/SG/AC.10/30

Symbol(s)

Signal word(s) Danger

Hazard statement(s)
Precautionary statement(s)
H228 - Flammable solid.
H251 - Self-heating: may catch fire.
H290 - May be corrosive to metals.
H302 - Harmful if swallowed.
H314 - Causes severe skin burns and
eye damage.
P210 - Keep away from
heat/sparks/open flames/hot
surfaces. No smoking.
P280 - Wear protective
gloves/protective clothing/eye
protection/face protection.
P310 - Immediately call a POISON
CENTER or doctor/physician.
P305 + P351 + P338 - IF IN EYES: Rinse
cautiously with water for several
minutes. Remove contact lenses,
if present and easy to do.
Continue rinsing.
P370+378 - In case of fire: Use dry
sand or extinguishing powder.
Never use water.
P402 + P404 - Store in a dry place.
Store in a closed container.
P406 - Store in corrosive resistant e. g.
polyethylene container with a
resistant inner liner.

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Glossary
Acute toxicity harmful effects after a single exposure
Biodegradable breakdown of materials by a physiological environment
Bioaccumulation accumulation of substances in the environment
Carcinogenicity effects causing cancer
Chronic toxicity harmful effects after repeated exposures
GHS Global Harmonized System on Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
Mutagenicity effects that change genes
PBT persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic
REACH Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals
Reprotoxicity combining teratogenicity, embryo toxicity and harmful effects on fertility
Sensitizing allergenic
Teratogenic effects on fetal morphology

Contact information within company

EU
Email address: sds-info@evonik.com
Emergency Telephone number: +49 (0)2365 49-2232 (Fire Brigade, Infracor GmbH)
Emergency Telefax number: +49 (0)2365 49-4423 (Fire Brigade, Infracor GmbH)

USA

Email address: product.regulatory.services@evonik.com

Emergency Telephone number: 800 424-9300 (CHEMTREC)

This GPS Safety Summary is based on Evoniks present knowledge and experience as of the date of issue. However, it implies no
liability or other legal responsibility on the part of Evonik, including with regards to existing third party intellectual property rights,
especially patent rights. In no event shall Evonik be responsible for damages of any nature whatsoever resulting from the use of or
reliance upon the information herein or the chemical to which that information refers. In particular, no warranty, whether express
or implied, or guarantee in the legal sense is intended or implied by Evonik.
This GPS Safety Summary is only intended to provide general information about the chemical referred to herein but not any in-
depth health and safety information. The information in this GPS Safety Summary is supplied on the condition that the persons
receiving the same will make their own determination as to its suitability for their purposes prior to use. This GPS Safety Summary
does not supersede or replace required regulatory and/or legal communication documents.

Performance of the chemical described herein should be verified by testing which should be carried out only by qualified experts.

Evonik reserves the right to make any changes to this GPS Safety Summary in accordance with technological progress or further
developments. Reference to trade names used by other companies is neither a recommendation, nor does it imply, that similar
products could not be used.
March 2014