Bromoacetone (stabilized with MgO)

Not available. Although no evidence of its production could be found, bromoacetone may still be used in organic synthesis reactions. Its use in this field may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. Bromoacetone is found in the essential oil of a seaweed species that grows in the ocean around the Hawaiian Islands. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 9 mm Hg at 20 deg C indicates bromoacetone will exist solely in the vapor-phase. Vapor-phase bromoacetone will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 54 days. Bromoacetone absorbs light strongly in the wavelength region between 290-350 nm, with a UV max occurring at 300 nm; however, kinetic rate data are not available to predict the rate at which direct photolysis may occur in the environment. If released to soil, bromoacetone is expected to have very high mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 4. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 5.7X10-6 atm-cu m/mole. Bromoacetone may volatilize from dry soil surfaces based upon its vapor pressure. If released into water, bromoacetone is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon the estimated Koc. Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process based upon this compound's estimated Henry's Law constant. If bromoacetone is spilled into a body of water, it will sink to the bottom of the water column, dissolve slowly and turn violet rapidly. An estimated BCF of 3 suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Although ketones are generally resistant to hydrolysis, the substituted bromine group may be susceptible to hydrolysis. While the hydrolysis of this compound may occur, the rate of hydrolysis cannot be predicted due to a lack of experimental data. Exposure of bromoacetone can occur through consumption of specific seaweeds found in the region of the Hawaiian Islands. With the exception of this specific exposure, there is no evidence that the general population is exposed to bromoacetone. Bromoacetone was used as a chemical warfare agent (lacrimator) during World War I which resulted in intentional inhalation exposure; however, there is no evidence that it has been used for this purpose since World War I.