Phosphorus Tribromide MSDS

Identification

Product Name: Phosphorus Tribromide
Chemical Formula: PBr₃
Synonyms: Phosphorus(III) bromide, Tribromophosphane
CAS Number: 7789-60-8
Recommended Use: Chemical reagent, pharmaceutical intermediate, laboratory chemical
Manufacturer or Supplier: Refer to supplier-specific details
Emergency Contact Number: Refer to local Poison Control Centre or emergency number
UN Number: 1808

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Acute toxicity, corrosive to metals, serious eye damage, respiratory hazard
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns, serious eye damage, may cause respiratory irritation, toxic if inhaled or swallowed
Pictograms: Corrosive, Skull and Crossbones
Precautionary Statements: Avoid all contact with skin and eyes, avoid inhalation of vapors, use personal protective equipment
Health Effects: Inhalation leads to burning sensation, coughing, shortness of breath; skin contact results in burns; eye exposure causes permanent damage; ingestion leads to severe internal damage

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Phosphorus Tribromide
Common Name: Phosphorus Tribromide
CAS Number: 7789-60-8
Concentration: 99% or higher
Impurities: Trace amounts of elemental phosphorus and hydrogen bromide possible

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air immediately, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek medical attention immediately
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse affected area with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, do not use neutralizing agents, obtain medical aid as soon as possible
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with plenty of water for at least 15-20 minutes holding eyelids apart, seek urgent ophthalmologic care
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, get immediate medical help

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry sand, dry powder, CO₂, do not use water or foam which may react with the chemical
Combustion Products: May emit toxic fumes including hydrogen bromide, phosphorus oxides
Specific Hazards: Reacts with water to produce corrosive and toxic vapors, containers may burst in fire
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Use self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical protective suit, isolate hazard area and deny entry
Firefighting Instructions: Apply extinguishing agent from upwind and at a safe distance, avoid runoff into sewers and waterways

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate space, wear full protective equipment including chemical-resistant clothing, gloves, and goggles with face shield
Environmental Precautions: Prevent contamination of soil, drains, and waterways, notify authorities if material enters water supply
Cleanup Methods: Contain spillage, absorb using inert material such as dry sand or earth, never use water on spill, collect residue in suitable container for disposal, ventilate and wash contaminated area thoroughly

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use only in well-ventilated, designated chemical fume hoods, avoid inhalation and all contact with skin, eyes or clothing, keep away from water sources, use non-sparking tools
Safe Storage: Store tightly closed in original container, segregated from water, alcohols, amines, strong bases and oxidizers, keep container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, use corrosion-resistant shelving, mark storage area with hazardous material signage
Incompatible Materials: Water, alcohols, amines, many organic materials, strong oxidizing agents, bases

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No established threshold limit value, minimize exposure as much as possible
Engineering Controls: Always use with local exhaust ventilation or chemical fume hood
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (butyl rubber, neoprene), full-body chemical-resistant clothing, splash goggles with side shields, face shield, impermeable boots
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved full-face respirator for vapors if airborne concentrations exceed permissible levels, emergency escape mask available
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area, maintain good chemical hygiene in general

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Fuming colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Pungent, suffocating
Odor Threshold: Not available
pH: Reacts violently with water
Melting Point: -41°C
Boiling Point: 175°C
Flash Point: Not applicable (non-flammable liquid; reacts with water)
Flammability: Not flammable, but dangerous reactions occur on contact with water and organic materials
Vapor Pressure: 0.05 kPa (20°C)
Vapor Density: 7.2 (air=1)
Relative Density: 2.89 (water = 1)
Solubility: Reacts violently with water, soluble in organic solvents such as carbon disulfide
Partition Coefficient: Not available
Autoignition Temperature: Not flammable
Decomposition Temperature: Not available
Viscosity: Not available

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, decomposes in moisture
Reactivity: Vigorous reaction with water producing toxic hydrogen bromide and phosphorous acid, reacts with alcohols, amines, oxidizers, bases
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen bromide, phosphorous oxides
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Conditions to Avoid: Contact with moisture, high temperatures, contact with incompatible materials

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Toxic by inhalation (LC50 inhalation rat: approx. 400 ppm/1h), toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin (LD50 oral rat: approx. 250 mg/kg)
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe burns
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes severe, likely irreversible injury
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: May cause allergic non-asthmatic skin reaction
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure can produce severe damage to respiratory and digestive tract
Other Information: Target organs include eyes, skin, respiratory tract, mucous membranes

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life due to rapid hydrolysis generating acidic and toxic products
Persistence and Degradability: Hydrolyzes rapidly in water, not persistent, products (phosphorous acid and hydrobromic acid) may persist
Bioaccumulative Potential: Not expected to bioaccumulate due to rapid degradation
Mobility in Soil: Releases acids and bromide ions, which may migrate through soil and contaminate groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: Significant hazard if released in large quantities; always contain releases and prevent entry to the environment

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Handle wastes under trained supervision; small amounts should be neutralized with extreme caution in controlled settings by slow addition to large excess of cold water under proper ventilation, neutralize residue, and dispose according to local regulations
Disposal of Containers: Triple-rinse empty containers with appropriate solvent before recovery, recycling or disposal, never reuse for food or drink
Disposal Regulations: Dispose in accordance with local, regional, national, and international regulations as a hazardous chemical waste, coordinate with licensed disposal facilities

Transport Information

UN Number: 1808
Proper Shipping Name: Phosphorus Tribromide
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: I (Great Danger)
Label Required: Corrosive
Special Precautions: Never ship with foodstuffs, acids, or incompatible cargo, transport only in tightly sealed, corrosion-resistant containers
Land Transport (ADR/RID): Regulated
Air Transport (ICAO/IATA): Regulated, prohibited on passenger aircraft
Marine Transport (IMDG): Regulated, marine pollutant

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Hazardous chemical; subject to Hazard Communication Standard
EPA: RCRA hazardous waste number U227, subject to CERCLA reporting
TSCA: Listed
EU Regulations: REACH Registered, classified as dangerous substance
Canadian WHMIS: E – Corrosive Material, D1A – Immediate/Serious Toxic Effects
International Inventories: Appears on AICS (Australia), DSL (Canada), EINECS (EU), IECSC (China), ENCS (Japan), KECI (Korea), NZIoC (New Zealand), PICCS (Philippines), TSCA (USA)
Other Regulatory Information: Always refer to updated national legislation and consult Safety Officer for further guidance