Vanadium Oxychloride: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Identification

Product Name: Vanadium Oxychloride
Chemical Formula: VOCl₃
Synonyms: Vanadium(V) oxytrichloride, vanadic oxychloride
CAS Number: 1332-40-7
Intended Use: Laboratory reagent, catalyst in organic synthesis, industrial chemical manufacturing
Manufacturer Contact: Refer to the supplier's label for detailed contact details and emergency numbers.

Hazard Identification

Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin corrosion/irritation, Serious eye damage, Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure)
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled; may cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary Statements: Do not breathe vapors or mist. Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, and eye/face protection. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Symptoms of Exposure: Burning sensation, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, redness, and serious eye damage.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Vanadium oxytrichloride
Concentration: Typically 98–100%
Impurities: Trace hydrochloric acid, trace vanadium tetrachloride
Molecular Weight: 173.31 g/mol

First Aid Measures

General Advice: Remove victim from exposure. Seek immediate medical attention. Provide rescuers with proper protective equipment.
Inhalation: Move victim outdoors to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. If not breathing, perform artificial respiration.
Skin Contact: Immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing. Seek medical help.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, keeping eyelids open. Remove contact lenses if present and continue rinsing.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting. Call a poison center or doctor immediately.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry sand, dry chemical, or alcohol-resistant foam. Do not use water or carbon dioxide.
Specific Dangers: Produces toxic fumes of hydrogen chloride and vanadium oxides if heated or on contact with water.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus.
Special Hazards: Highly reactive with moisture. Harmful gases may be released.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ensure proper ventilation. Use personal protection including respiratory and chemical-resistant gloves.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage. Do not allow entry into water systems, drains, or soil.
Methods for Containment and Cleaning Up: Absorb with dry inert material (such as sand or vermiculite). Do not use water. Collect residue in secure, labeled containers. Ventilate area before re-entry.

Handling and Storage

Precautions for Handling: Work in an approved fume hood. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Do not inhale vapors. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Requirements for Safe Storage: Store in tightly closed containers. Keep away from water, damp air, and incompatible materials like strong bases and oxidizers. Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.
Incompatible Materials: Water, alcohols, strong bases, oxidizing agents.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hoods, local exhaust ventilation.
Personal Protection Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl), safety goggles with side-shields, face shield, laboratory coat, acid-resistant apron, NIOSH-approved respirator for airborne exposure.
Exposure Limits: Occupational exposure limits not established for vanadium oxychloride itself. Vanadium compounds as V (inhalable fraction): TLV (ACGIH) = 0.05 mg/m³.
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing, wash hands before breaks and at end of work, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking during handling.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Amber to red-brown fuming liquid
Odor: Sharp, choking, pungent
Melting Point: −34°C
Boiling Point: 127°C
Vapor Pressure: 9 mmHg (at 25°C)
Solubility: Decomposes in water
Density: 1.91 g/cm³ (at 20 °C)
pH: Not applicable (reacts with water)
Evaporation Rate: No data available
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): No data available

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions and dry air.
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture and heat. Exposure to open air causes violent reaction with water vapor.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride gas, vanadium oxides.
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Reacts violently with water, alcohols, and strong bases.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Harmful by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Causes severe burns to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
LD50 (oral, rat): 62 mg/kg
LD50 (dermal, rabbit): 935 mg/kg
Chronic Toxicity: Prolonged exposure may lead to asthma-like symptoms, ulceration of mouth and nose, liver and kidney damage.
Carcinogenicity: Vanadium compounds not classified as carcinogenic by IARC.
Other Effects: Sensitization, delayed pulmonary effects, genotoxicity not established.

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Extremely toxic to aquatic life. Causes long lasting harmful effects to aquatic organisms due to persistence of vanadium.
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic; does not biodegrade.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Vanadium residues may accumulate in aquatic environments.
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile in moist environments.
Other Adverse Effects: Hazardous to the environment. Avoid release to the environment.

Disposal Considerations

Disposal of Material: Collect and dispose of as hazardous waste. Do not pour into drains or waterways. Follow local, state, and federal regulations on hazardous chemical waste.
Container Disposal: Triple rinse empty containers with suitable solvent, then destroy. Do not remove container labels until cleaned.
Recommended Waste Treatment: High-temperature incineration or use of government-approved chemical waste contractor. Avoid direct landfill of chemical.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 2441
Proper Shipping Name: Vanadium oxytrichloride
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances), 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: I (high danger)
Special Precautions: Keep containers upright and tightly closed. Separate from foodstuffs and feedstuffs. Emergency action plan required for spills/leakage during transit.
Labeling: Toxic, Corrosive

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Hazardous chemical under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA Status: Listed on TSCA Inventory
SARA Title III (Sections 302/304): Not listed
SARA Title III (Sections 311/312): Acute Health Hazard, Chronic Health Hazard
SARA Title III (Section 313): Vanadium compounds subject to reporting requirements
WHMIS Classification (Canada): Class D1A (Very toxic), Class E (Corrosive material)
EU Regulation: Hazardous according to EC 1272/2008 (CLP regulation), labeled as Toxic and Corrosive
Other Regulations: Follow all state, national, and local regulations on chemical use, labeling, and disposal.