Manufacturers are required to provide an MSDS for each chemical they ship and each place of business is required to have an MSDS for each chemical they have on the premises. MSDSs for the compounds in the organic chemistry teaching lab area are located in the organic chemistry stockroom (Ekeley M1B48). They are in big yellow and blue books labeled with large letters "MSDS" on top of the blue safety cabinet just inside the door and to the right. Be sure to visit the organic chemistry toxicology nomenclature page.
There are quite a few online listings of MSDSs, as given below, either by manufacturer or through a database of many companies. (current 1/03)
The following sites have searchable databases for all the chemicals that they sell. An advantage of these is that each MSDS on the site is standardized, meaning that once you get used to reading the particular style that they use, understanding MSDSs from the same database will be easier. One disadvantage is that when you do a search for a chemical, it will pull up several purities or concentrations of a particular compound, and you will need to choose one of these to get to the MSDS (choose the purest). Another disadvantage is that if they do not sell it, they will not have the MSDS.
Acros Chemicals. The search often pulls up a couple matches, since this is a company catalogue; click on the pure compound, then the "MSDS" link. This search engine even allows you to draw in the structure of choice.
Sigma-Aldrich. The search pulls up choices, click on the one you want, then click on the "MSDS" link on the left side of the page. They will ask you to login (free), then you can get the MSDS. Note that they also list the NMR for most compounds.
Baker Chemicals. The search pulls up choices, click on the one you want, then go to the very bottom of the page to the link "Material Safety Data Sheet" link. This web site gives very readable MSDSs.
Mallinckrodt. The search pulls up choices, click on the one you want, then go to the very bottom of the page to the link "Material Safety Data Sheet" link. This web site gives very readable MSDSs.
The sites below allow you to search for a chemical in a lot of company databases. A search may pull up a whole page-full of rather daunting links; just choose one that looks good and see what it pulls up, if you don't like it, go back and try another. Since the MSDSs are written by a variety of companies, the formats will differ.
Oklahoma State University (links to sites)
KSU (links to sites)
OSHA regulations state that the following items must be included in the MSDS:
These items can be in any order, as long as they are included. Since MSDSs are prepared by the manufacturer of a compound, the exact format of this document is at the manufacturer’s discretion.
These links take you to pages that talk about MSDSs, the history, how to prepare one, dictionaries on terms used, etc.
MSDS dictionary on the University of Montana web site
MSDS search is on the Envirocare. Facts, dictionary, background, as well as a listing of databases
Interactive Learning Paradigms, Incorporated has excellent information about MSDSs. What are they, examples, where to find, FAQ, online quiz, even humor
- http://www.ilpi.com/msds/index.html is the main page
- create UNSAFE Material Data Sheets is fun
Meridian One Reference data for MSDS
Genium
