FAQ
Monochloroacetic acid: questions and answers
Straight answers on monochloroacetic acid (MCA, chloroacetic acid, CAS 79-11-8) — its chemistry and properties, what it is used for, what pharmaceutical grade and the dichloroacetic acid limit mean, how it is classified, stored and shipped, what an importer needs under REACH and TSCA, and how to buy it from LVK Pharma's plant in Choutuppal, Telangana, India.
01 · 9 questions
About monochloroacetic acid
Chemistry, physical properties and identifiers of MCA (chloroacetic acid, CAS 79-11-8). Property values are public reference data from PubChem and ECHA, not an LVK specification.
Product page- What is monochloroacetic acid?
- Monochloroacetic acid (MCA, chloroacetic acid, ClCH₂COOH, CAS 79-11-8) is acetic acid with one hydrogen replaced by chlorine. It is a hygroscopic crystalline solid (melting point 61–63 °C) used as a chemical building block for pharmaceutical intermediates, carboxymethyl cellulose, betaine surfactants, phenoxy herbicides, thioglycolic acid and glycine. LVK Pharma manufactures MCA in a pharmaceutical grade at Choutuppal, Telangana, India.
- What is another name for monochloroacetic acid?
- Monochloroacetic acid is most often called chloroacetic acid; other names are MCA, MCAA, chloroethanoic acid and 2-chloroacetic acid. The IUPAC name is 2-chloroacetic acid. All of these refer to the same substance, CAS 79-11-8, EC 201-178-4, formula C₂H₃ClO₂. Its sodium salt, sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA, CAS 3926-62-3), is a different product. LVK Pharma's product pages use monochloroacetic acid and MCA.
- What is the chemical formula and structure of monochloroacetic acid?
- The molecular formula of monochloroacetic acid is C₂H₃ClO₂, written structurally as ClCH₂COOH: a carboxylic acid group attached to a carbon that carries one chlorine and two hydrogens. Its molecular weight is 94.50 g/mol. The electron-withdrawing chlorine makes the carbon–chlorine bond reactive towards nucleophiles, which is why MCA is used to attach a carboxymethyl (–CH₂COOH) group to cellulose, amines, phenols and sulfides.
- What is the CAS number of monochloroacetic acid?
- The CAS number of monochloroacetic acid (chloroacetic acid) is 79-11-8. Related identifiers are EC number 201-178-4 (EU), PubChem CID 300, HS code 2915.40 (India ITC-HS 29154010) and UN 1751 for the solid. The sodium salt, sodium monochloroacetate, has its own CAS number, 3926-62-3, and dichloroacetic acid, the main process impurity, is CAS 79-43-6. LVK Pharma supplies CAS 79-11-8 as a solid pharmaceutical-grade product.
- What are the melting point and boiling point of monochloroacetic acid?
- Commercial monochloroacetic acid melts at about 61–63 °C (the pure α-crystal form at 63 °C) and boils at 189 °C at atmospheric pressure, according to PubChem reference data. The solid has a density of about 1.58 g/cm³ at 20 °C and a flash point of 126 °C (closed cup). Because the melting point is low, MCA is also traded molten (UN 3250) in heated tankers for large integrated users.
- Is monochloroacetic acid soluble in water?
- Yes, monochloroacetic acid is very soluble in water: about 858 g per litre at 25 °C (PubChem). It is also soluble in ethanol, methanol, acetone and diethyl ether and only sparingly soluble in hydrocarbons. The solid is deliquescent, absorbing moisture from the air until it dissolves, so bags must be kept sealed and dry. Aqueous solutions of 70–80 % are a standard traded form (UN 1750).
- Is chloroacetic acid a strong acid? Is it stronger than acetic acid?
- Chloroacetic acid is a moderately strong organic acid — much stronger than acetic acid but weaker than mineral acids. Its pKa is 2.87 against 4.76 for acetic acid, so it is roughly 80–100 times more dissociated: the electron-withdrawing chlorine stabilises the chloroacetate anion. A 0.1 M solution has a pH of about 1.9. It is corrosive to skin and eyes for this reason, in addition to being acutely toxic.
- How is monochloroacetic acid made?
- Monochloroacetic acid is made industrially by chlorinating acetic acid with chlorine gas, using acetic anhydride or acetyl chloride as a catalyst, at 90–140 °C. The hydrogen chloride off-gas is recovered. Over-chlorination produces dichloroacetic acid (DCA) and some trichloroacetic acid, so the crude product is purified by crystallisation or by hydrogenating DCA back to MCA. Controlling DCA is what distinguishes pharmaceutical from technical grades; LVK Pharma's pharma grade is released at DCA ≤ 0.2 %.
- What is the difference between monochloroacetic acid and sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA)?
- Sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA, CAS 3926-62-3) is the sodium salt of monochloroacetic acid, made by neutralising MCA with sodium hydroxide or soda ash. SMCA is a free-flowing, less hygroscopic powder preferred by carboxymethyl cellulose and betaine-surfactant producers, while the acid (CAS 79-11-8) is used where the free acid or its reactivity is needed, for example in pharmaceutical synthesis. LVK Pharma manufactures the acid; SMCA is a planned derivative, not a current product.
02 · 7 questions
Uses and applications
What monochloroacetic acid is used for, by industry. Industry context only — no customer names or volumes.
Applications- What is monochloroacetic acid used for?
- Monochloroacetic acid is used almost entirely as a chemical intermediate. Its largest use is carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), followed by pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs, betaine surfactants such as cocamidopropyl betaine, phenoxy herbicides (2,4-D, MCPA), thioglycolic acid for hair-care and PVC stabilisers, and glycine and glycolic acid. In every case MCA donates a carboxymethyl group or a reactive chloroacetyl unit. LVK Pharma supplies mainly pharmaceutical manufacturers, with capacity for CMC, surfactant and agrochemical producers.
- How is monochloroacetic acid used to make carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)?
- Carboxymethyl cellulose is made by treating alkali cellulose (cellulose swollen in sodium hydroxide) with monochloroacetic acid or sodium monochloroacetate, a Williamson etherification that attaches carboxymethyl groups to the cellulose backbone. The degree of substitution sets the CMC grade: technical CMC for detergents, paper, ceramics and drilling fluids; food-grade CMC (E466); pharmaceutical carmellose and croscarmellose sodium; and battery-grade CMC binder for lithium-ion anodes. Pharma and food CMC grades favour low-DCA MCA.
- Which pharmaceuticals and intermediates are made from monochloroacetic acid?
- Monochloroacetic acid is a starting material for many pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs: pharma-grade glycine, chloroacetyl chloride (used for lidocaine-type local anaesthetics and chloroacetamides), carbocisteine, malonate and cyanoacetate esters, caffeine and vitamin B6 intermediates, and ethyl chloroacetate, the Darzens reagent in the classical Boots ibuprofen synthesis. Because dichloroacetic acid carries through these routes as a hard-to-remove impurity, API manufacturers specify a low DCA limit, which is why LVK Pharma releases its pharma grade at DCA ≤ 0.2 %.
- How is glycine made from monochloroacetic acid?
- Glycine is made industrially by ammonolysis of monochloroacetic acid: MCA reacts with excess ammonia (usually with hexamethylenetetramine or ammonium salts as catalyst) to replace the chlorine with an amino group, giving glycine and ammonium chloride, which are separated by crystallisation. The MCA route serves feed, food and pharmaceutical glycine grades. Alkaline hydrolysis of MCA gives glycolic acid by the same substitution chemistry. Low iron and DCA content in the MCA simplify purification of pharma-grade glycine.
- How is monochloroacetic acid used in surfactants such as cocamidopropyl betaine?
- Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) and other amphoteric surfactants are made by carboxymethylating a tertiary amine — for CAPB, cocamidopropyl dimethylamine — with sodium monochloroacetate, the salt of monochloroacetic acid. The quaternisation attaches a carboxymethyl group that gives the molecule its zwitterionic, mild-foaming character used in shampoos and body washes. MCA also produces trimethylglycine (betaine) and ether carboxylate surfactants. Surfactant producers normally use technical-grade MCA or buy SMCA directly.
- Which agrochemicals are made from monochloroacetic acid?
- The phenoxy herbicides 2,4-D and MCPA are made by condensing monochloroacetic acid with 2,4-dichlorophenol or 4-chloro-2-methylphenol under alkaline conditions. Chloroacetyl chloride from MCA is the building block of chloroacetamide herbicides and of the organophosphate insecticide dimethoate, and iminodiacetic acid (IDA) made from MCA is one route to glyphosate. Agrochemical technical-grade producers normally use technical-grade MCA, where the DCA limit is less critical than for pharmaceutical synthesis.
- Is monochloroacetic acid used in food?
- No, monochloroacetic acid is not a food additive and is not added to food. It is a reagent used to make food ingredients: carboxymethyl cellulose (E466), glycine and betaine are all produced from MCA, and the finished ingredient is purified and controlled to its own food-grade specification. MCA itself is acutely toxic and corrosive. LVK Pharma supplies MCA to manufacturers of such ingredients and to pharmaceutical producers, not to food processors or consumers.
03 · 8 questions
Pharma grade and quality
Dichloroacetic acid, grades, and the Certificate of Analysis, TDS and SDS a buyer receives.
Quality & compliance- What is pharmaceutical-grade monochloroacetic acid?
- Pharmaceutical-grade monochloroacetic acid is MCA (CAS 79-11-8) produced and released to a tighter impurity specification for API and intermediate synthesis — above all a low limit on dichloroacetic acid (DCA), the over-chlorination by-product that carries through many syntheses. LVK Pharma's pharma grade is released at DCA ≤ 0.2 %; the full specification (assay, moisture, colour, iron, sulphate, chloride, residue on ignition) is stated on the Technical Data Sheet, available on request.
- What is dichloroacetic acid (DCA) and why does it matter as an impurity in MCA?
- Dichloroacetic acid (DCA, CAS 79-43-6) is acetic acid with two chlorines; it forms alongside monochloroacetic acid when chlorination runs past the mono stage. It matters because DCA reacts in the same way as MCA and produces dichloro by-products that are hard to remove from an API or intermediate, and because DCA is itself toxic. Pharmaceutical buyers therefore specify a DCA limit; LVK Pharma controls it at the reactor and releases its pharma grade at DCA ≤ 0.2 %.
- What is the difference between pharma-grade and technical-grade MCA?
- The main difference is the dichloroacetic acid (DCA) content. DCA forms during chlorination and carries through many syntheses as an impurity, so pharmaceutical customers specify a low limit, while CMC, surfactant and agrochemical producers can accept more. LVK Pharma's pharma grade is released at DCA ≤ 0.2 %; whether a technical grade or a higher-purity export grade is offered is confirmed per enquiry through the RFQ form.
- What is on a Certificate of Analysis for monochloroacetic acid?
- A Certificate of Analysis (COA) for monochloroacetic acid states the tested results of a specific lot against the agreed specification: assay (% MCA), dichloroacetic acid, moisture, colour (APHA), iron, sulphate, chloride and residue on ignition, each with its limit, result and test method, plus lot number, manufacturing date and the release signature. LVK Pharma can share a sample COA on request for vendor qualification.
- How is the DCA content of monochloroacetic acid tested?
- Dichloroacetic acid in monochloroacetic acid is normally determined by gas chromatography or HPLC after derivatisation or direct injection, with a limit expressed as a percentage of the sample; titration methods measure total acidity but cannot separate DCA from MCA. Method details for DCA testing can be discussed with a customer's QC laboratory during vendor qualification. The DCA limit for the pharma grade is ≤ 0.2 %.
- Which certifications and registrations does LVK Pharma hold?
- LVK Pharma states certification and registration status in writing per enquiry and claims nothing on this website that has not been confirmed. The Quality page lists the items export buyers ask about — ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, the EU REACH supply route, a US TSCA inventory statement, Halal/Kosher and the Telangana pollution-control consent — with their current status. Regulatory statements for a specific shipment are issued with the quotation.
- Does LVK Pharma accept supplier questionnaires and customer audits?
- Yes. Supplier questionnaires and vendor-qualification forms are completed on request, and customer audits can be arranged as part of vendor qualification. The standard qualification pack — Technical Data Sheet, GHS/CLP Safety Data Sheet, a sample Certificate of Analysis and the regulatory statements relevant to the destination market — is sent with or ahead of the quotation. Use the contact form to send a questionnaire or request the documents.
- Can LVK Pharma provide a TDS, SDS and Certificate of Analysis?
- Yes. The Technical Data Sheet, a GHS/CLP-format Safety Data Sheet (EU and US layouts) and a sample Certificate of Analysis for monochloroacetic acid are available on request through the document-request form. Specification sheets and supplier questionnaires for vendor qualification are also handled on request.
04 · 8 questions
Safety, storage and transport
Hazard classification, handling, first aid, shelf life and dangerous-goods transport of MCA. Always follow the current Safety Data Sheet.
Hazard & transport data- Is monochloroacetic acid toxic or hazardous?
- Yes. Monochloroacetic acid is classified as acutely toxic (category 3) by the oral, dermal and inhalation routes, corrosive to skin (category 1B) and very toxic to aquatic life (acute category 1) under the harmonised EU CLP classification. It is absorbed through the skin, so skin contact over a large area can cause systemic poisoning, not just burns. Handle it with chemical-resistant gloves, eye and face protection and, where dust or vapour forms, respiratory protection as specified in the SDS.
- What is the GHS classification of monochloroacetic acid?
- Under the EU CLP harmonised classification (ECHA, EC 201-178-4), monochloroacetic acid carries the signal word Danger with hazard statements H301 (toxic if swallowed), H311 (toxic in contact with skin), H331 (toxic if inhaled), H314 (causes severe skin burns and eye damage) and H400 (very toxic to aquatic life), and pictograms GHS05 (corrosion), GHS06 (skull and crossbones) and GHS09 (environment). The SDS from LVK Pharma gives the full statements and precautionary measures.
- How should monochloroacetic acid be stored and handled?
- Store monochloroacetic acid in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from bases, oxidisers and metals; MCA is hygroscopic and corrosive, and moist MCA attacks steel. Keep it segregated from food and feed. It is classified as acutely toxic (category 3) and skin-corrosive (1B), so use chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection as specified in the Safety Data Sheet, and provide eyewash and safety-shower facilities.
- What first aid applies after contact with monochloroacetic acid?
- For skin contact, remove contaminated clothing and flush the area with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, then get medical attention immediately — MCA is absorbed through the skin and can cause systemic poisoning. For eyes, rinse with water for at least 15 minutes. After inhalation, move to fresh air; after ingestion, rinse the mouth, do not induce vomiting and seek medical care. These measures follow ICSC 0235; always refer to the current SDS.
- What is the shelf life of monochloroacetic acid?
- Monochloroacetic acid is chemically stable when kept dry and sealed; shelf life is limited mainly by moisture pick-up, which cakes the solid and raises the water content, rather than by decomposition. The shelf life and storage conditions LVK Pharma states on its Technical Data Sheet, and the retest policy for a specific lot, are confirmed per enquiry with the TDS and COA. Store in unopened original packaging, cool and dry.
- What are the HS code and UN number for monochloroacetic acid?
- Monochloroacetic acid is classified under HS 2915.40, the heading for chloroacetic acids, their salts and esters (India ITC-HS 29154010). For transport it is UN 1751 (chloroacetic acid, solid), UN 3250 (molten) or UN 1750 (solution), Class 6.1 (toxic) with subsidiary hazard 8 (corrosive), packing group II, under the UN Model Regulations, IMDG and ADR. These codes appear on LVK Pharma's invoices and dangerous-goods declarations.
- Can monochloroacetic acid be shipped by sea and by air?
- Yes by sea, and only with restrictions by air. Solid monochloroacetic acid ships under IMDG as UN 1751, Class 6.1 (8), packing group II, in UN-approved packaging with a shipper's dangerous-goods declaration; road legs in Europe follow ADR. Air freight of a Class 6.1 packing group II solid is limited by the IATA regulations to small quantities and cargo aircraft, so commercial lots move by sea. LVK Pharma books dangerous-goods cargo through forwarders experienced in Class 6.1 chemicals.
- In what forms is monochloroacetic acid supplied — flakes, molten or solution?
- Monochloroacetic acid is traded in three forms: crystalline flakes or powder (UN 1751), the standard export form in bags; molten acid (UN 3250) delivered in heated tankers to nearby integrated users; and a 70–80 % aqueous solution (UN 1750) in IBCs or ISO tanks. Which forms and pack sizes LVK Pharma ships for a given order are confirmed per enquiry — state the form and packaging you need on the RFQ form.
05 · 8 questions
Buying and export
Documents, regulatory statements, codes and how to request a quotation or samples.
Export & RFQ- Does LVK Pharma export monochloroacetic acid?
- LVK Pharma supplies pharmaceutical manufacturers in India and offers monochloroacetic acid to export buyers in the United States, European Union, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, with the export document pack and dangerous-goods logistics an importer needs. Incoterms, ports of loading, lead times and minimum order quantities are quoted per enquiry: send the grade, quantity, packaging, Incoterm and destination port through the RFQ form on the Export page.
- Which documents accompany an export shipment of MCA?
- An export shipment of monochloroacetic acid from LVK Pharma typically travels with a Certificate of Analysis, the Safety Data Sheet, the Technical Data Sheet, a certificate of origin, the commercial invoice (HS 2915.40), a packing list with lot numbers and weights, and a shipper's dangerous-goods declaration for UN 1751, Class 6.1 (8), PG II, together with the carrier's bill of lading. Regulatory statements for the destination market (REACH route, TSCA) are issued with the quotation.
- Is REACH registration needed to import MCA into the EU?
- Yes. Under EU REACH, anyone importing one tonne or more per year of chloroacetic acid (EC 201-178-4) into the EU must hold a registration, either as the importer or through an Only Representative appointed by the non-EU manufacturer; below one tonne per year no registration is required. Chloroacetic acid is a registered substance with several existing dossiers. LVK Pharma's supply route for EU buyers is confirmed at enquiry stage with the quotation.
- Is monochloroacetic acid on the US TSCA inventory?
- Yes. Chloroacetic acid (CAS 79-11-8, listed as acetic acid, 2-chloro-) is on the EPA's TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory, so it can be imported into the United States for industrial use with a positive TSCA certification at customs entry; a US importer of record files the certification. It is also a CERCLA hazardous substance and an EPCRA extremely hazardous substance, which affects storage reporting at the buyer's site. A TSCA statement for a shipment is issued with the quotation.
- How much does monochloroacetic acid cost?
- Monochloroacetic acid is quoted per enquiry rather than from a list price. The price depends on the grade (the dichloroacetic acid limit), the form (flakes, molten or solution), the monthly quantity, packaging, the Incoterm and destination port, and the documents and regulatory statements required. LVK Pharma does not publish prices on this website; send those details through the RFQ form and you receive a quotation with the specification and pricing basis.
- How do I request a quote or a sample of monochloroacetic acid?
- Use the RFQ form on the Export page: it asks for the grade, purity or DCA specification, form, quantity per month, packaging, Incoterm, destination port, target date and the documents you need, and goes to LVK Pharma's export desk at info@lvkpharma.com. Sample availability, size and freight terms are confirmed per enquiry. For documents only (TDS, SDS, sample COA, questionnaire), use the contact form.
- What are the minimum order quantity and lead time for MCA?
- Minimum order quantity and lead time for monochloroacetic acid are confirmed per enquiry, because they depend on the grade, form, packaging and shipping route. LVK Pharma's plant at Choutuppal has a capacity of 200 metric tonnes per month from a single-product line, so volume is available for recurring export contracts. State your monthly quantity and target date on the RFQ form and the quotation includes the lead time and any minimum lot.
- Which Incoterms and ports of loading does LVK Pharma quote?
- The Incoterm and port are agreed per enquiry. LVK Pharma quotes against the buyer's requested Incoterms 2020 term — EXW Choutuppal, FCA, FOB, CFR/CIF or DAP — and the destination port given on the RFQ form. The plant is near Hyderabad, Telangana, with rail access to India's east- and west-coast container ports. Which terms and ports apply to a specific order are stated in the quotation together with the dangerous-goods booking.
- Who is LVK Pharma?
- LVK Pharma Pvt. Ltd. is an Indian chemical manufacturer headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana, that produces monochloroacetic acid (MCA, CAS 79-11-8) at its plant in Dharmojiguda, Choutuppal, Telangana. It is a single-product company: the plant makes a pharmaceutical grade of MCA with dichloroacetic acid at or below 0.2 % for API and intermediate manufacturers, and offers capacity to CMC, surfactant and agrochemical producers in India and export markets.
- Where is LVK Pharma's monochloroacetic acid plant?
- LVK Pharma's plant is at Dharmojiguda, Choutuppal, in the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana, India, east of Hyderabad in one of the country's largest pharmaceutical manufacturing regions. The registered office is in Hyderabad. The location gives road access to the Hyderabad API cluster and rail access to Indian container ports for export. The full street address and PIN are shared on request.
- What is LVK Pharma's production capacity for monochloroacetic acid?
- LVK Pharma's Choutuppal plant has a capacity of 200 metric tonnes of monochloroacetic acid per month, dedicated to this one product rather than campaigned between chemistries. That allows the plant to be run and released against the impurity profile pharmaceutical buyers need — dichloroacetic acid at or below 0.2 % — and to reserve volume for recurring export contracts. Availability for a specific quantity is confirmed with the quotation.
- Who are LVK Pharma's customers?
- LVK Pharma's customers are primarily pharmaceutical manufacturers — API and intermediate producers in the Hyderabad pharma cluster — who buy its pharma-grade monochloroacetic acid for the low dichloroacetic acid content. Capacity is also offered to carboxymethyl cellulose, surfactant and agrochemical producers and to export buyers. Customer names are not published; references and supplier-qualification documents are provided on request during vendor qualification.
- Is LVK Pharma a manufacturer of monochloroacetic acid in India?
- Yes. LVK Pharma Pvt. Ltd. manufactures monochloroacetic acid at its own plant in Choutuppal, Telangana, India, with a capacity of 200 metric tonnes per month, and sells directly to industrial buyers rather than as a trader. India has several MCA producers; LVK is distinguished by its focus on a pharmaceutical grade with dichloroacetic acid at or below 0.2 % and by its location in the Hyderabad pharmaceutical cluster.
- Does LVK Pharma make sodium monochloroacetate or other derivatives?
- Not today. LVK Pharma manufactures monochloroacetic acid only. Sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA, CAS 3926-62-3), the free-flowing sodium salt used by CMC and betaine-surfactant producers, is a planned derivative, and chloroacetyl chloride (CAS 79-04-9) is under evaluation; neither is offered as a current product. Buyers who need SMCA can register interest through the RFQ form and will be informed when it becomes available.
Physical-property, hazard and transport values are public reference data (PubChem CID 300, ECHA EC 201-178-4, UN Model Regulations) and are not an LVK Pharma specification. LVK-specific terms marked “confirmed per enquiry” are stated in writing with the quotation, TDS, COA or SDS. Nothing here is medical advice.
Question not answered?
Send it with your enquiry — grade, quantity, destination — and the export desk replies with the specification and documents.