UN 1431: Sodium methylate

DOT Classification and Shipping

UN 1431 is assigned the proper shipping name Sodium methylate in the U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). It is classified as a Class 4.2 Spontaneously Combustible material, Packing Group II. Required label(s): 4.2, 8.

Packing group indicates the degree of danger within a hazard class: PG I is high danger, PG II medium, PG III low. The proper shipping name, hazard class, UN number, and packing group together form the basic shipping description that must appear on shipping papers and, where required, on the package and placard.

Emergency Response (ERG Guide 135)

Hazards: Spontaneously combustible. May reignite after fire is extinguished. May burn rapidly.

Fire: Small: dry chemical, sand, earth. Large: flooding water. Do NOT use foam.

Spill: Do not touch. Cover with dry earth/sand. Do not get water on spilled substance.

Chemical and Physical Properties

Sodium methylate is a white amorphous powder. It reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide, a corrosive material, and methyl alcohol, a flammable liquid. The heat from this reaction may be sufficient to ignite surrounding combustible material or the sodium methylate itself if the water is present in only small amounts. It is used to process edible fats and oils, and to make other chemicals.

Regulatory Data

A release of this material at or above its CERCLA reportable quantity (1000 lb) requires immediate notification to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

Special Provisions

49 CFR 172.102 special provision codes for this entry: A7, A19, IB5, IP2, T3, TP33, W31. These codes modify the general requirements (packaging, quantity limits, exceptions) for this specific material. Look up each code in 49 CFR 172.102 for the full text.

Need the full interactive record? Open UN 1431 in the SpillNerd lookup tool for the live database entry with placard graphics, GHS pictograms, full segregation tables, and synonym search. For another material, use the UN number and chemical lookup.

Reference data compiled from the DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101), the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook, and public chemical databases (PubChem, NIOSH, EPA). Always verify the correct shipping description against the current regulation and the manufacturer's SDS Section 14 before shipping.