Product Name: Tetrabutylphosphonium Chloride
Chemical Family: Quaternary phosphonium compound
Chemical Formula: C16H36ClP
CAS Number: 2304-30-5
Synonyms: TBPC; Tetra-n-butylphosphonium chloride
Recommended Use: Phase transfer catalyst, ionic liquid component, specialty synthesis
Supplier Details: Manufacturer and distributor information provided on packaging; 24-hour emergency telephone contacts available via national poison control or CHEMTREC
Emergency Overview: Clear to pale yellow liquid; mild odor; may cause irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory system; not classified as flammable under GHS, but may release toxic fumes under fire conditions.
GHS Classification: Skin Irritation, Category 2; Eye Irritation, Category 2A; Acute Toxicity, Oral, Category 4
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes skin and eye irritation; harmful if swallowed; may cause respiratory tract irritation.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing mist, vapors, or spray; wash skin thoroughly after handling; use personal protective gear; do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product; if exposed, follow first aid instructions.
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Potential Health Effects: Contact leads to burning or stinging of skin and eyes; ingestion can bring about nausea, abdominal pain, or more severe symptoms at higher doses; vapor exposure can irritate nose and throat.
Chemical: Tetrabutylphosphonium Chloride
Concentration: Typically 98% or greater, with minor water content possible; sometimes includes organic or inorganic impurities at trace amounts
Other Components: Not considered hazardous or relevant for classification under normal use
Impurities: Water (less than 2%); check certificate of analysis for batch-specific traces of other ions
General Tips: Move affected person from contaminated area; remove contaminated clothing immediately; seek medical help for severe symptoms.
Inhalation: Take person to fresh air; check for signs of breathing difficulty or coughing; provide artificial respiration or oxygen if breathing stops.
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with lukewarm water and mild soap for at least 15 minutes; seek medical help if irritation persists.
Eye Contact: Rinse opened eyes gently with plenty of water for 15 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally; remove contact lenses after initial flushing if possible; contact an ophthalmologist if irritation or vision changes develop.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; never induce vomiting unless directed by medical professionals; monitor symptoms such as drowsiness, nausea, or vomiting; seek hospital admission if a large amount is ingested or symptoms get worse.
Notes for Physicians: Symptomatic treatment; consider gastric lavage for substantial ingestion if within one hour and only on professional recommendation.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray
Unsuitable Media: Do not use straight water stream; may spread product or cause splashing.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride, phosphorus oxides, carbon oxides, various organic vapors
Firefighter Protection: Wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus; avoid inhaling combustion gases.
Other Hazards: Runoff may contaminate water systems; product itself not classified as highly flammable but can intensify fires by releasing toxic fumes.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unprotected personnel; use chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and lab coat or apron.
Environmental Precautions: Stop leaks if possible without risk; prevent from entering drains, soil, or surface water.
Clean-up Methods: Absorb liquid with inert material like sand, diatomaceous earth, or universal binder; collect in clearly labeled containers for disposal; ventilate impacted area well; wash surfaces after pick-up for full decontamination.
Special Instructions: Avoid creating splashes or aerosol formation during clean-up; report spills as required by local regulations.
Precautions for Handling: Use within a fume hood or with proper local exhaust; minimize exposure through direct contact; do not breathe mist, vapor, or dust.
Safe Storage Conditions: Store in a cool (typically below 30°C), dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, open flames, alkali metals, or strong oxidizers.
Container Guidelines: Use only with tightly closed, chemical-resistant containers; label clearly; check regularly for leaks or corrosion.
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands and exposed skin before breaks, after use, and after contact; keep food and drink away from handling area.
Incompatibilities: Keep away from strong acids, bases, or oxidizing chemicals.
Exposure Limits: No established ACGIH or OSHA limits for this specific compound; observe good laboratory and industrial hygiene practices.
Engineering Controls: Operate under local exhaust or chemical fume hood; avoid generating mist or vapors.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (such as nitrile); splash-proof safety goggles or face shield; flame-resistant lab coat or overall; closed shoes; avoid skin contact by covering exposed body parts.
Respiratory Protection: Required if vapors or mists exceed recommended control levels; select appropriate filter or cartridge type (consult safety data and respirator manufacturers).
Other Controls: Maintain regular cleaning and inspection of storage and work spaces; keep eye wash and safety showers accessible.
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow, viscous liquid
Odor: Mild, not pronounced
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: Slightly basic to neutral (varies in solution, consult product specification)
Melting Point: Under 30°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Greater than 100°C; check with supplier
Flammability: Not easily flammable, though may support combustion at elevated temperatures
Explosive Properties: Not classified as explosive
Vapor Pressure: Very low at standard conditions
Vapor Density: Not available
Solubility: Highly soluble in water, alcohols, and organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Not available
Viscosity: Moderate to high, depending on concentration and temperature
Decomposition Temperature: Above 200°C
Other Data: Check with technical data sheets for batch specifics
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and normal ambient conditions
Reactivity: Not considered highly reactive; does not polymerize
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to excess heat, direct sunlight, and moisture
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong alkalis, acids, alkali metals
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Phosphine, phosphorus oxides, hydrogen chloride, organic fragments
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Skin and eye irritation; may cause digestive disturbances if swallowed; can irritate respiratory tract by inhalation
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may increase risk of dermatitis or sensitization; no evidence of mutagenicity or carcinogenicity in available animal tests
Oral LD50 (Rat): 1500–2000 mg/kg (moderately toxic range)
Dermal LD50: Data not established
Inhalation: Data not established; avoid aerosol formation
Sensitization: No known evidence for skin or respiratory sensitization
Other Health Hazards: Not known to be reproductive or developmental toxin under standard exposure limits
Aquatic Toxicity: Moderately toxic to aquatic organisms; LC50 (fish, 96h): 8–20 mg/L (estimates based on structurally related phosphonium compounds)
Persistence and Degradability: Limited biodegradation in nature; product may persist in soil or water over extended periods
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low to moderate, based on log Kow of ionic liquids with similar structure
Ecotoxicological Remarks: Discharge in large volumes poses risks to surface water and groundwater quality; best practices recommend containment and treatment
Mobility in Soil: High water solubility means product may migrate through soil but will bind with organic matter
Other Effects: No data on ozone depletion, photochemical ozone creation, or global warming potential for this product
Waste Disposal: Dispose by incineration at a facility approved for hazardous substances, following all local, national, and regional regulations
Container Disposal: Triple rinse with compatible solvent; dispose in accordance with environmental regulations or send for reconditioning
Do Not: Release to the environment, sewer, or surface waters under any circumstance
Special Instructions: Label waste containers clearly; coordinate intervention with licensed chemical waste disposers
UN Number: Not assigned for general transport; consult carrier and regional authorities for current guidelines
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated as dangerous for road (ADR/RID), sea (IMDG), or air (IATA) due to non-flammability and moderate toxicity
Packing Group: Not assigned
Special Precautions for User: Avoid extreme temperature variation in transit; keep upright and double-packed if possible; notify carrier of contents if shipped in bulk
Environmental Hazards: Not designated as marine pollutant according to IMDG; do not allow spillage or leakage in transit
Transport Labelling: Clearly signal contents with trade or chemical name and hazard pictogram if required by local jurisdiction
International Inventories: Listed in major chemical inventories including TSCA (USA), REACH (EU, as notified substance), AICS (Australia)
OSHA Status: Not specifically regulated as hazardous, but general chemical safety rules apply
SARA (USA): Not listed as a Section 313 substance; reporting not required for average users
EU Classification: Eye Irritant, Skin Irritant, Acute Oral Toxicant; not classified as CMR or PBT
Workplace Regulations: Non-threshold limit value (TLV) established; local occupational hygiene rules must be followed
Other Local Regulations: Confirm alignment with provincial and national guidelines; labeling and packaging laws may require regular review
Chemical Accident Prevention: No specific threshold or notification requirement for bulk storage under Seveso III or similar international guidelines, but sites should implement risk management practices for chemical inventories of all sizes
