Material Safety Data Sheet: Vanadium Tetrachloride

Identification

Product Name: Vanadium Tetrachloride
Chemical Formula: VCl₄
CAS Number: 7632-51-1
Synonyms: Vanadium(IV) chloride, Vanadium chloride
Recommended Use: Chemical synthesis, laboratory reagent
Manufacturer Details: Industrial chemical suppliers, laboratory supply companies, contact information available on invoice or supplier website
Emergency Contact: Refer to your facility emergency number or chemical safety office
Intended User: Trained professionals and researchers familiar with hazardous materials

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute Toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation); Corrosive to metals and skin; Environmental hazard—Aquatic acute toxicity
Label Elements: Danger, toxic if inhaled or swallowed, severe skin burns and eye damage
Hazard Statements: Can cause severe burns on contact with skin, irreversible eye damage, respiratory damage if inhaled; highly toxic by ingestion
Signal Word: Danger
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, corrosive, environment
Precautionary Statements: Do not breathe vapors, wear proper protective equipment, avoid all contact with skin and eyes, use only in well-ventilated areas, keep away from water sources, prevent environmental release

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance: Vanadium tetrachloride
Concentration: >95%
Impurities or Additives: Not generally present above trace levels; consult supplier if composition is critical

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove the person to fresh air immediately, loosen tight clothing, keep warm and at rest. If breathing stops, provide artificial respiration, seek medical attention without delay.
Skin Contact: Rinse contaminated area thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes, remove and isolate contaminated clothing and footwear, seek immediate medical help.
Eye Contact: Flush open eyes gently with plenty of water for 15 minutes, occasionally lifting eyelids, get urgent medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly (only if person is conscious), do not induce vomiting, obtain immediate medical assistance.
Most Important Symptoms: Burning pain, respiratory irritation, risk of delayed pulmonary edema, severe corrosive tissue damage
Note to Physicians: Treat symptoms, monitor airway and breathing, administer oxygen if available

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Agents: Dry sand, Class D fire extinguisher, or inert gas. Do not use water or foam.
Fire Hazards: Vapors are toxic and corrosive; reacts violently with water, emits hydrochloric acid fumes and vanadium oxides on decomposition; containers may rupture from pressure if involved in fire.
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus For firefighters, positive-pressure breathing apparatus.
Advice for Firefighters: Evacuate the area and fight fire from secure location. Keep containers cool using dry methods. Avoid inhaling fumes.
Hazard Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride, vanadium oxides, phosgene (small possibility in presence of combustibles)

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate all unprotected personnel. Restrict access to trained response teams equipped with chemical-resistant clothing, eye and face protection, and chemical goggles, plus heavy-duty gloves.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spill entering drains, waterways, or soil. Block all sewers nearby. Report release as required by regulation.
Methods of Cleanup: Contain spillage. Soak up with dry, inert absorbent (sand, earth, vermiculite); collect in secure, labeled containers for disposal by hazardous waste facility. Use forced ventilation if indoors. Neutralize residue with sodium carbonate solution if applicable.
Decontamination: Rinse affected surfaces with copious water, collect wash solution for regulated disposal. Avoid using water directly on product.
Other Precautions: Use non-sparking tools, ventilate enclosed areas. Do not allow untrained individuals to enter spill zone.

Handling and Storage

Precautions for Handling: Open under inert atmosphere if possible. Keep containers tightly closed and handle in well-ventilated hood. Avoid all physical contact. Only skilled operators should handle this chemical.
Incompatible Materials: Water, moisture, alcohols, strong oxidizing agents, organic materials
Conditions for Safe Storage: Store in dry, cool, well-ventilated area, tightly closed containers, under inert gas if long-term. Use approved corrosion-resistant storage vessels. Isolate from other chemicals that may react.
Special Packaging Requirements: Steel cylinders with Teflon or glass inner linings preferred. Clearly label all storage units.
Protection from Physical Damage: Secure in secondary containment. Take measures to prevent container tipping or accidental impact.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: Consult local regulations (example: OSHA PEL for vanadium compounds, ceiling 0.05 mg/m³ V dust and fumes)
Engineering Controls: Fume hood required, use local exhaust ventilation. Use explosion-proof equipment.
Personal Protective Equipment: Splash goggles, faceshield, full chemical-resistant suit, heavy-duty rubber gloves, boots. Use air-supplied respirator if vapor present.
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing immediately, wash thoroughly before eating, smoking, using restrooms. Do not reuse clothing until properly decontaminated.
Monitoring: Frequent monitoring for airborne vanadium concentrations, especially during transfers or open handling.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Reddish-brown, fuming liquid at room temperature.
Odor: Pungent, choking, acrid.
Molecular Weight: 192.75 g/mol
Melting Point: -23 °C
Boiling Point: 154 °C
Density: 1.91 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Solubility: Reacts violently with water; soluble in chlorinated solvents
Vapor Pressure: 17 mm Hg at 20 °C
Vapor Density: 6.6 (air=1)
pH: Not applicable (decomposes in water)
Flash Point: Not applicable; non-flammable but strong oxidizer
Autoignition Temperature: Not determined
Viscosity: Not specified

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under dry, air-free, inert atmosphere conditions.
Reactivity: Highly reactive with water and moisture, produces hydrochloric acid gas, heat, and may hydrolyze explosively.
Hazardous Reactions: Violent hydrolysis with water, exothermic reactions with organic materials and many metals.
Incompatible Materials: Moisture, alcohols, ammonia, organic chemicals, strong bases.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, vanadium oxides.
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to air, moisture, heat, or incompatible chemicals

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Highly toxic by inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption. LD₅₀ (oral, rat): much less than 100 mg/kg.
Corrosivity: Causes severe burns to skin, eyes, mucous membranes; permanent tissue damage possible.
Sensitization: No reliable evidence for sensitization, but repeated contact may lead to hypersensitivity.
Chronic Effects: Chronic exposure linked to kidney, lung, and neurological damage. Prolonged inhalation may result in bronchitis, pneumonia.
Carcinogenicity: No conclusive human data, but vanadium compounds are being studied for potential long-term effects.
Mutagenicity: Data insufficient.
Reproductive Toxicity: No adequate information available.
Target Organs: Lungs, kidneys, liver, central nervous system.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic environments; even small spills can severely affect aquatic life.
Mobility in Soil: Hydrolyzes quickly, product and byproducts may migrate in moist soil and contaminate groundwater.
Persistence and Degradability: Persistent in the environment due to slow natural breakdown of vanadium species.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Vanadium may accumulate in aquatic organisms, with unknown implications for the food chain.
Other Adverse Effects: Corrosive releases may harm plants, cause burns to exposed fauna, damage microorganism populations important for soil health

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of as hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations. Contact licensed hazardous waste disposal contractor. Chemical must not enter natural waterways, soil, or drain systems.
Disposal of Contaminated Packaging: All containers and packaging should be thoroughly cleaned by professionals or disposed of as hazardous waste. Follow labeling requirements until cleaned.
Special Precautions: Do not neutralize in large quantities outside controlled environment. Confirm decontamination before recycling or landfilling containers.
Waste Code: Consult country or region-specific classification; in the US may require U or P-list waste handling as a listed hazardous substance.

Transport Information

UN Number: 2440
Proper Shipping Name: Vanadium Tetrachloride
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive); 6.1 (Toxic)
Packing Group: I (high danger)
Labeling Requirements: Corrosive, Toxic, Environmentally Hazardous
Special Precautions for Transport: Keep containers upright, tightly packed, avoid temperature fluctuations, use only with proper documentation and emergency response information.
Environmental Hazards: Reportable quantity, marine pollutant, avoid all water transit without containment
Transport in Bulk: Not recommended except using approved containers with corrosion-resistant linings, comply with all carrier regulations and customs notifications.

Regulatory Information

Workplace Safety: Listed as hazardous chemical by OSHA (US), GHS, European CLP.
Environmental Regulations: Regulated by CERCLA, SARA Title III in the US; release thresholds trigger immediate notification and response obligations.
Inventory Listings: Covered under TSCA (US), EINECS (Europe), DSL (Canada); consult local guidance.
Other Regulations: Restrictions may apply for import, use, disposal, and export; site-specific permits may be required. Consult EH&S office for workplace and local requirements