4-chloroformylphthalic anhydride

Additional physico-chemical information

Administrative data

Adequacy of study:

other information

Cross-reference

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to other study

Reference

Endpoint:

hydrolysis

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

not stated

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

test procedure in accordance with generally accepted scientific standards and described in sufficient detail

Remarks:

This study addressed the issue of hydrolysis from the perspective of requirements for substances that may come into contact with food via packaging material and employed distilled water as a simple food simulant. The study was performed according to an appropriate guideline, though not to GLP.

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

other: Scientific Committee for Food CS/PM/1025 (August 1991)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

no

Specific details on test material used for the study:

trimellitic anhydride acid chloride

Radiolabelling:

no

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Estimation method (if used):

Not relevant

Duration:

24 h

Temp.:

40 °C

Initial conc. measured:

> 5.34 - < 5.61 µg/L

Transformation products:

yes

No.:

#1

Key result

Temp.:

40 °C

DT50:

< 30 min

Remarks on result:

other: Trimellitic anhydride chloride was hydrolysed completely within 30 minutes to trimellitic acid and HCl. The hydrolysis was so fast that it was considered to be virtually instantaneous.

Table 2: Hydrolysis of the monomer in water food simulant at 40°C

Time Period (Hours)	Initial Concentration of monomer_µg/mL	Concentration of trimellitic acid produced_µg/mL	Percentage hydrolysis % w/w
0	5.61	4.99	96
0	5.34	4.72	96
0	5.34	4.84	99
½	5.61	4.98	97
1	5.61	5.05	97
3	5.34	4.60	94
4	5.34	4.80	98
24	5.34	5.01	102
24	5.34	4.84	99
24	5.34	4.88	99

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not applicable

Conclusions:

Trimellitic anhydride acid chloride was found to hydrolyse completely in water food simulant at 40 °C in less than ½ hour to trimellitic acid and hydrogen chloride gas. The hydrolysis of the monomer is so rapid that it is virtually instantaneous. Similarly rapid hydrolysis is anticipated for trimellitic anhydride and trimellitic anhydride may therefore be expected to undergo almost instantaneous conversion to trimellitic acid on contact with aqueous matrices in the environment and in vivo in exposed humans and other organisms.

Executive summary:

Trimellitic anhydride acid chloride (TMAC) was found to hydrolyse completely in water food simulant at 40 °C in less than ½ hour into trimellitic acid (TMLA) and hydrogen chloride gas. The rate of hydrolysis of the monomer is so rapid that it is virtually instantaneous.