Rail Tanker Explosion at BASF Plant in Freeport, TX

[i_dont_chat]

TV stations in Houston, TX, are reporting a large explosion in a BASF facility in Freeport, TX. Reports are coming out that a tanker car has exploded and a building housing tanker cars has been leveled.

[the_doc]

Thanks, that's all I needed to know.

[Chemist_Geek]

here's a Material Safety Data Sheet for 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane, aka epichlorohydrin.

Having the electron-rich chlorine right next to the stressed three-member (two carbons, one oxygen) ring, can make for a touchy substance.