Hexamethylenediamine (CAS 124-09-4): storage and disposal
School and college stores meet hexamethylenediamine through the nylon rope demonstration, held either as a waxy solid or as a made-up solution. It is an alkaline amine classified as harmful by swallowing and skin contact, as causing severe burns and eye damage, and as irritating to the respiratory tract. Because the demonstration is run once a year, the stock often sits untouched between lessons.
- CAS number
- 124-09-4
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Alkali
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Harmful or irritant
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as alkali stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Look at the cap and thread of the bottle at the start of every term, because this amine draws carbon dioxide and moisture from the air and the cap can seize. The solid and any solution kept for the nylon demonstration sit low down on a resistant tray in a corrosive store, away from acids, with which alkalis react with heat and spattering. Keep sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chloramine T and sodium dichloroisocyanurate in separate storage because these chlorinating agents can react with amines to produce hazardous compounds. Keep the amine apart from oxidisers too, since ammonia type stock is especially at risk.
How to tell it has deteriorated
A white crust on the neck and thread is the plain sign that this amine has been in contact with air, forming a carbonate deposit that can seal the cap shut. The solid may cake or look wet after absorbing moisture, and may go yellow with time. A solution made up for the nylon demonstration and then forgotten may show crust round the lid, a tinted liquid, a low level or a label with fading ink. A bottle with a stuck stopper or bulging cap should be left closed. Because it burns skin and eyes, nobody should try to force it.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a corrosive alkali laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Group by form when asking for a collection: the solid and the solution are described as separate items. A school should give the volume or weight left, the container type and whether the cap has seized. The hazardous waste code for a laboratory chemical covers the solid, and the organic discarded-chemical variant applies outside a lab pack. Leftover demonstration solution must not be poured into a sink or treated with acid to make it safer, and the technician should not try to clear a crusted cap. The carrier packs it away from acids and hypochlorites.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- AcidAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- OxidiserSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- Calcium hypochloriteHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
- Chloramine THypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
- Hydrochloric acidAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- Hydrogen peroxideSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
- Nitric acidAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- Potassium nitrateSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
- Potassium permanganateSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
Show 3 more
- Sodium dichloroisocyanurateHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
- Sodium hypochloriteHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
- Sulfuric acidAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: solid, solution for nylon demonstration.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H302 Harmful if swallowed.
- H312 Harmful in contact with skin.
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
- P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Can we keep leftover nylon demonstration solution for next year?
There is no set shelf life, and solutions made up for demonstrations often end up with crust, tint and faded labels. Keep it only if sealed, labelled and dated. Otherwise request collection rather than pouring it away.
Why does the cap stick?
The amine takes carbon dioxide from the air and leaves a hard carbonate crust in the thread. A stuck cap is a sign of exposure to air, and since the contents burn skin it should not be forced.
What can't be stored near it?
Acids, oxidisers and hypochlorite products, each on a different shelf or in a different cabinet. Acids can react exothermically with this amine, while hypochlorite products can react with amines to form hazardous chlorinated compounds.
