1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Thiocyanate: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Identification

Product Name: 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Thiocyanate
Chemical Formula: C7H11N3S
Synonyms: EMI SCN, EMIM Thiocyanate, 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Isothiocyanate
CAS Number: 133184-45-3
Recommended Use: Solvent, ionic liquid for chemical synthesis, electrolyte in batteries and supercapacitors
Manufacturer: Contact chemical supplier for specific manufacturing details and emergency telephone number
Emergency Contact: Refer to local and national poison control centers or manufacturer’s emergency line

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation); Skin and eye irritation
Risk Phrases: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin and eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation, avoid contact with eyes and skin, do not breathe dust or vapors
Safety Phrases: Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves, eye and face protection; wash hands thoroughly after handling
Pictogram: Exclamation mark (for irritant and harmful)
Signal Word: Warning
Precautionary Statements: Prevent release to the environment, avoid creating dust, use only with adequate ventilation, keep away from food and beverages

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Thiocyanate
Chemical Family: Imidazolium-based ionic liquid
Main Constituents: 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium cation (C7H11N3)
Anion: Thiocyanate (SCN−)
Purity: Typically >98% pure for laboratory use
Impurities: Trace moisture, residual solvents depending on synthesis process

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, seek medical attention if breathing becomes difficult; provide oxygen if available
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected area with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical advice if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes while keeping eyelids open, remove contact lenses; seek prompt medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, get medical help as soon as possible
Symptoms: Watch for coughing, shortness of breath, skin or eye redness, headache, and gastrointestinal distress

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam, do not use water jets directly
Special Hazards: Can decompose at high temperatures to produce toxic gases including nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrogen cyanide, and carbon oxides
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Unusual Fire Hazards: May emit irritating or toxic fumes under fire conditions, containers may explode if heated
Explosion Data: Product is not explosive but thermal decomposition could result in hazardous gas release

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel from affected area, use proper personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent leakage into sewers, surface or groundwater, contain spill with inert absorbent material (sand, earth, vermiculite)
Cleanup Methods: Collect solid residues in a chemical waste container, ventilate the area, thoroughly rinse spill site after material collection
Disposal: Dispose of collected material and contaminated PPE as hazardous chemical waste, follow local environmental regulations
Avoid: Generation of dust, contact with compatible reactive materials, ignition sources

Handling and Storage

Handling Recommendations: Work in well-ventilated area, minimize dust and vapor generation, avoid skin and eye contact, wear suitable lab coat and gloves
Safe Storage Requirements: Store in tightly closed containers, in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and incompatible chemicals such as strong acids or oxidizers
Special Storage Conditions: Avoid temperature extremes, moisture ingress, and physical shocks to the container
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, oxidizing agents, water-reactive substances
Other Considerations: Store away from food and beverages, keep container clearly labeled

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use fume hood or adequate local exhaust ventilation, maintain eyewash station and safety shower nearby
Personal Protective Equipment: Protective gloves (nitrile or neoprene), lab coat, safety goggles, face shield for large volumes
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirator if adequate ventilation not possible, especially for powder handling
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing, wash hands and face thoroughly after handling chemicals, do not eat or drink in work areas
Exposure Limits: No established OSHA/ACGIH exposure limits, minimize exposure and monitor for symptoms

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless or pale yellow liquid or crystalline solid at room temperature
Odor: Mild, characteristic ether-like or faint amine odor
Melting Point: About 10 – 20°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling above 200°C
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Density: Approximately 1.08 – 1.16 g/cm3 (at 25°C)
Solubility: Miscible with water, acetone, ethanol, and many organic solvents
pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline in aqueous solution
Viscosity: Higher than most common solvents, decreases with temperature
Flash Point: Typically above 100°C (closed cup)
Other Properties: Hygroscopic, absorbs moisture from air

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions and normal laboratory use
Reactivity: Can react with acids, strong oxidizers, light, and heat sources
Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrogen cyanide, carbon oxides under heat or fire
Polymerization: Not expected to occur
Conditions to Avoid: Prolonged exposure to air, moisture, high temperatures, and open flames
Incompatible Materials: Concentrated nitric or sulfuric acid, strong oxidizers, halogenated compounds

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Effects: Harmful if swallowed or inhaled, irritation to eyes, skin, respiratory tract. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, redness, coughing
Chronic Effects: No comprehensive studies, potential risks of organ toxicity due to ionic character and thiocyanate content
LD50 (Oral, Rat): Estimated >300 mg/kg (not fully established)
Carcinogenicity: No data indicating carcinogenic potential. Not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Mutagenicity and Reproductive Toxicity: Information lacking; practice good laboratory hygiene and avoid unnecessary exposures
Sensitization: May cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

Ecological Information

Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Moderate to high toxicity expected based on thiocyanate content; avoid environmental release
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable under environmental conditions; ionic liquids tend to persist
Bioaccumulative Potential: Likely low, but chemical persistence could lead to long-term risk
Mobility in Soil: Highly soluble; may leach into groundwater and affect aquatic environments
Additional Ecological Risks: Toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms; limit spillage and run-off
Other Hazards: No data on ozone depletion, endocrine disruption, or long-term ecological impact

Disposal Considerations

Product Disposal: Dispose as hazardous waste via approved chemical disposal contractor, under local, regional, and national regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Decontaminate containers by triple rinse, cut or crush before disposal; treat rinsates as hazardous waste
Waste Regulations: Do not pour down drains, avoid landfill disposal where possible
Environmental Precautions: Prevent mixture and residues from contaminating water systems or soil
Recycling/Reuse: Recover unreacted material for reuse in chemical processes if purity allows

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified or regulated under most major transport regulations
Proper Shipping Name: 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Thiocyanate
Hazard Class: Not assigned a specific hazard class; treat as harmful
Packing Group: Not regulated, but pack to prevent breakage and leaks
Transport Precautions: Avoid extreme temperatures, shocks, incompatible shipments; label containers clearly
Marine Pollutant: Not specifically listed but should be treated as dangerous to water due to thiocyanate content
Special Transport Notes: Follow institution’s protocols for chemical shipment; keep MSDS accessible during transport

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Not listed as specifically regulated hazardous substance
WHMIS Classification (Canada): Not classified under WHMIS; treat as controlled product
EINECS/ELINCS Status: Listed (European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances)
REACH Registration: May require registration or notification based on usage volume and application
SARA 313, CERCLA, TSCA: Not specifically listed, but consult regional regulations for general chemical handling
Additional Regulatory Details: Local regulations may impose stricter controls; maintain up-to-date records and hazard communications