Molybdenum(III) Oxide Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Identification

Product Name: Molybdenum(III) Oxide
Chemical Formula: Mo₂O₃
Synonyms: Dimolybdenum trioxide, Molybdenum sesquioxide
CAS Number: 1313-27-5
Relevant Uses: Used as an additive in ceramics, pigments, and metallurgy industries
Supplier: Contact details and emergency telephone number available on request
Recommended Restrictions: Reserved for use by trained professionals and designated laboratory personnel only

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral), Category 4; Specific Target Organ Toxicity (repeated exposure), Category 2
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed. May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, Health hazard symbol
Precautionary Statements: Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Avoid breathing dust or fumes. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Contact Routes: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Potential Environmental Effects: Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Molybdenum(III) Oxide
Common Name: Mo₂O₃
Concentration: 100% by weight
Impurities: May contain trace amounts of other transition metal oxides, typically present below 0.5%
Molecular Weight: 223.88 g/mol

First Aid Measures

General Advice: Move affected person to fresh air immediately. Call a doctor or poison control center if symptoms persist.
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. Get medical attention if breathing becomes difficult.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly with water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention urgently.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash affected area with soap and water. Consult a physician if irritation develops.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with plenty of water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do.
Advice for Medical Professionals: Treat symptomatically based on clinical judgment and patient’s condition

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Use dry sand, dry chemical, or appropriate foam. Do not use water directly on material.
Fire Hazards: Not flammable but may emit toxic fumes of molybdenum oxides if heated to decomposition.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Explosion Data: Product does not present explosion hazard under normal conditions
Thermal Decomposition Products: Molybdenum oxides, possibly accompanied by oxygen

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area of all non-essential personnel. Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves, and eye/face protection.
Methods for Cleanup: Use appropriate tools to collect spilled material and place in sealable, labeled container. Avoid raising dust. Clean area thoroughly with water after removal.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, and soil. Notify authorities if product enters the environment.
Emergency Procedures: Ventilate affected area. Use local exhaust to control dust.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Avoid generation of airborne dust.
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep container tightly closed. Store away from incompatible materials such as acids and oxidizers.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong oxidizers; contact may cause reaction and release of hazardous gas.
Other Precautions: Store in original labeled container. Keep away from food and drink. Ensure containers are grounded and bonded if material is transferred or agitated.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for insoluble molybdenum compounds: 15 mg/m³ total dust; ACGIH TLV: 0.5 mg/m³ (respirable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls to maintain airborne levels below recommended exposure limits.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear safety goggles or face shield, chemical-resistant gloves (such as nitrile or neoprene), and protective clothing.
Respiratory Protection: Use a properly fitted NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator when exposure levels might be exceeded.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling. Do not eat, drink, or smoke during use.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Olive-green to dark-green powder
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Data not available
pH: Not applicable (insoluble in water)
Melting Point: 1185°C (2165°F)
Boiling Point: Sublimes above 1800°C
Flash Point: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Non-flammable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Solubility: Insoluble in water; slightly soluble in acids
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not applicable
Bulk Density: 4.69 g/cm³
Other Properties: Stable under normal conditions, hygroscopic nature not reported

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage conditions.
Reactivity: Product does not polymerize or self-react under normal use.
Hazardous Reactions: Can react with strong acids and oxidizers to produce toxic fumes of molybdenum trioxide.
Thermal Decomposition: Decomposes to molybdenum oxides at high temperatures.
Incompatible Materials: Avoid contact with acids, oxidizers, or strong reducing agents.
Conditions to Avoid: Elevated temperature, formation of dust, and contact with incompatible chemicals.

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD₅₀ (rat): >2000 mg/kg; inhalation and dermal routes not fully characterized
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may affect liver or kidneys, particularly among workers with poor hygiene or safety compliance.
Symptoms of Exposure: Coughing, shortness of breath, mucous membrane irritation, gastrointestinal upset if ingested
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a known or suspected carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: No data indicating genetic damage under occupational exposure
Other Health Effects: May cause anemia or neurological issues if high concentrations persist in body tissues

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compound, not expected to degrade in the environment
Bioaccumulative Potential: Molybdenum can accumulate in certain organisms; monitoring recommended
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility in soil due to low solubility in water
Other Adverse Effects: Release to water should be avoided to protect fish, crustaceans, and algae.

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations. Product should not be released uncontrollably to the environment.
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers may retain product residues and should be handled as hazardous waste.
Special Precautions: Waste handlers must wear the same personal protective equipment used during handling.

Transport Information

UN Number: Not applicable for molybdenum(III) oxide
UN Shipping Name: Not regulated as a hazardous material by DOT, IATA, or IMDG
Transport Hazard Classes: No classification required
Packing Group: Not applicable
Special Transport Precautions: Prevent container damage and spillage during transportation. Use secure, sealed labeled packaging.

Regulatory Information

TSCA Inventory: Listed
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard: Classified as hazardous
SARA Title III Section 313: Molybdenum compounds, as a category, are subject to reporting requirements
California Proposition 65: Not listed
Other Regulations: Keep fully informed of all local, national and international regulations that may affect handling, storage, and use. Seek advice from regulatory bodies if uncertain about requirements.
Label Elements: Conform to GHS and OSHA standards
Workplace Labeling: Use appropriate pictograms and signal words on all containers