Product
Monochloroacetic acid (MCA)ClCH₂COOH · Chloroacetic acid · 94.50 g/mol
Identifiers
- CAS79-11-8
- EC201-178-4
- HS2915.40
- UN1751 / 3250
- Pharma grade
- DCA ≤ 0.2 %
- Capacity
- 200 MT / month
Overview
What monochloroacetic acid is
Monochloroacetic acid (MCA, chloroacetic acid, ClCH₂COOH) is acetic acid with one hydrogen on the methyl group replaced by chlorine. That single substitution makes the molecule about a hundred times more acidic than acetic acid (pKa 2.87) and gives it a reactive carbon–chlorine bond that other molecules can displace.
Industrially it is made by chlorinating acetic acid, usually with an acetic anhydride or acetyl chloride catalyst. Over-chlorination produces dichloroacetic acid (DCA) and trichloroacetic acid, so the DCA content is the number that separates a pharmaceutical grade from a technical one.
Almost all MCA is consumed as a building block: it carboxymethylates cellulose into CMC, quaternises amines into betaine surfactants, condenses with phenols into phenoxy herbicides, and is the starting point for glycine, thioglycolic acid, chloroacetyl chloride and a long list of pharmaceutical intermediates.
Chemical identity
- IUPAC / common name
- Chloroacetic acid (monochloroacetic acid)
- Synonyms
- Chloroacetic acid, MCAA, Chloroethanoic acid, 2-Chloroacetic acid
- Molecular formula
- C₂H₃ClO₂
- Structure
- ClCH₂COOH
- Molecular weight
- 94.50 g/mol
- CAS number
- 79-11-8
- EC number
- 201-178-4
- HS code
- 2915.40 (India ITC-HS 29154010)
- UN numbers
- UN 1751 (solid) · UN 3250 (molten) · UN 1750 (solution)
Physical properties
Reference data
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to white deliquescent (hygroscopic) crystals; monoclinic prisms |
| Molecular weight | 94.50 g/mol |
| Melting point | 61–63 °C (commercial acid; α-form 63 °C) |
| Boiling point | 189 °C at 760 mmHg |
| Density | 1.58 g/cm³ at 20 °C (solid) |
| Water solubility | 858 g/L at 25 °C (very soluble) |
| Other solvents | Soluble in ethanol, methanol, acetone, diethyl ether; sparingly in hydrocarbons |
| Vapour pressure | 0.065 mmHg (≈ 8.7 Pa) at 25 °C |
| Flash point | 126 °C (closed cup) |
| pKa | 2.87 (25 °C) |
Source: PubChem CID 300 (Chloroacetic acid) and ECHA EC 201-178-4 — PubChem, ECHA.
Grades & specification
Choose the grade by the DCA your synthesis tolerates
Pharma grade
DCA ≤ 0.2 %
Low dichloroacetic acid content for API and intermediate synthesis where DCA carry-over must be controlled.
Technical grade
Available on request
For CMC, surfactant and agrochemical synthesis where the DCA limit is less critical.
High-purity export grade
Available on request
Target specification for regulated-market buyers (DCA in the ppm range). Availability to be confirmed.
Specification — pharma grade
Verified limit highlighted. Remaining limits and test methods are stated on the Technical Data Sheet, available on request.
| Parameter | Limit | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Assay (as monochloroacetic acid) | Available on request | On TDS |
| Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) | ≤ 0.2 % | On TDS |
| Moisture | Available on request | On TDS |
| Colour (APHA / Hazen, 10 % solution) | Available on request | On TDS |
| Iron (Fe) | Available on request | On TDS |
| Sulphate (SO₄) | Available on request | On TDS |
| Chloride (as Cl⁻, free) | Available on request | On TDS |
| Residue on ignition | Available on request | On TDS |
Forms
Product forms
- Available on request
Flakes / crystalline solid
The standard traded form; UN 1751, Class 6.1 (8), PG II.
- Available on request
Molten
Heated bulk delivery for nearby integrated users; UN 3250.
- Available on request
Aqueous solution (70–80 %)
IBC / ISO-tank supply; UN 1750.
Packaging
Packaging & storage
Offered pack sizes
Available on request
Typical trade packaging for MCA (industry reference)
- 25 kg HDPE bags with inner liner
- 50 kg HDPE woven sacks
- FIBC / jumbo bags on one-way pallets
Shelf life
Available on request
Storage
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from bases, oxidisers and metals. Keep containers tightly closed — MCA is hygroscopic and corrosive.
Applications by industry
What MCA becomes
Pharmaceutical intermediates & APIs
Glycine (pharma grade) · Chloroacetyl chloride → lidocaine-type local anaesthetics · Carbocisteine (mucolytic)
Pharma grade — DCA ≤ 0.2 %
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)
Technical CMC (detergents, paper, ceramics) · Food-grade CMC (E466) · Pharma-grade carmellose / croscarmellose sodium
Technical or pharma grade depending on the CMC grade produced
Surfactants & betaines
Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) · Betaine (trimethylglycine) · Ether carboxylic acids
Technical grade; SMCA is often the preferred form
Agrochemicals
2,4-D and MCPA · Chloroacetamide herbicides · Dimethoate
Technical grade
Thioglycolic acid & sulfur chemistry
Thioglycolic acid · Ammonium / potassium thioglycolate · 2-Ethylhexyl thioglycolate (PVC stabilisers)
Technical or high-purity grade
Glycine, glycolic acid & other derivatives
Glycine · Glycolic acid · Cyanoacetic acid → ethyl cyanoacetate
Pharma grade for glycine and cosmetic uses
Handling & safety
Hazard summary
Signal word: Danger
- Acute toxicity, category 3 (oral, dermal, inhalation) — H301, H311, H331
- Skin corrosion, category 1B — H314
- Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute category 1 — H400
Pictograms: GHS05 Corrosion · GHS06 Skull and crossbones · GHS09 Environment
Harmonised classification under EU CLP (Annex VI). Refer to the current SDS for the full hazard statements, precautionary statements and first-aid measures.
Handling
Closed transfer where possible; chemical-resistant gloves, goggles or face shield, and respiratory protection for dust.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from bases, oxidisers and metals. Keep containers tightly closed — MCA is hygroscopic and corrosive.
Spills
Contain, keep dry, collect mechanically into labelled containers; do not flush to drain (aquatic acute 1).
First aid
Skin/eyes: rinse immediately and at length with water, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical attention. See SDS section 4.
Transport
Dangerous-goods data
| Proper shipping name (solid) | Chloroacetic acid, solid — UN 1751 |
|---|---|
| Proper shipping name (molten) | Chloroacetic acid, molten — UN 3250 |
| Proper shipping name (solution) | Chloroacetic acid solution — UN 1750 |
| Hazard class / subsidiary | 6.1 (toxic) / 8 (corrosive) |
| Packing group | II |
| Regulations | IMDG (sea), ADR (road), IATA (air — restricted); India: CMVR / Hazardous Chemicals Rules |
Export logistics, document pack and Incoterms are on the Export page
Request a quote, TDS, SDS or COA
Tell us the grade, quantity and destination and we send the specification and documents with the quotation.
FAQ
Monochloroacetic acid — questions buyers ask
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.