Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) - N-Decylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate

1. Identification

Product Name: N-Decylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate
Chemical Family: Imidazolium Ionic Liquid
CAS Number: 68489-42-3
Synonyms: 1-Decyl-3-methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate, C10MIm BF4
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, chemical synthesis, solvent
Company Contact: Safety Officer, Laboratory Supervisor, Hazmat Response
Phone Number for Emergency: Local Poison Control Center, National Chemical Emergency Response Center

2. Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Skin Irritant (Category 2), Eye Irritant (Category 2A), Acute Toxicity - Oral (Category 4), Acute Toxicity - Inhalation (Category 4), Aquatic Chronic Hazard (Category 3)
Label Elements: Warning, exclamation mark symbol, corrosive pictogram
Hazard Statements: Causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, harmful if swallowed, harmful if inhaled, may cause long-lasting harmful effects to aquatic life
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin and eyes, wash thoroughly after handling, wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection, and face protection, avoid release into the environment, do not breathe dust, fumes, or vapors, if inhaled, remove to fresh air and seek medical advice

3. Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: N-Decylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate
Common Name: C10 Imidazolium BF4
CAS Number: 68489-42-3
Formula: C13H25BF4N2
Concentration: >98% (as supplied)
Impurities: May contain trace levels of unreacted precursors, water, and degraded ionic species
Other Data: No known stabilizers or inhibitors present

4. First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move exposed person to fresh air immediately, keep at rest in position comfortable for breathing, seek medical attention for symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, or irritation
Skin Contact: Remove all contaminated clothing, rinse affected area under running water for at least 15 minutes, wash with mild soap, consult physician if redness, pain, or irritation persists
Eye Contact: Hold eyelids apart and flush eyes with plenty of running water for a minimum of 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, seek urgent medical advice
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical guidance, provide symptomatic and supportive care as indicated by medical professional

5. Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, CO2, foam, sand
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use water in a jet as chemical may hydrolyze to release acidic or toxic gases
Specific Hazards from Combustion: May release corrosive and toxic fumes including hydrogen fluoride, boron oxides, nitrogen oxides, and carbon oxides
Protective Equipment and Precautions: Full firefighting turnout gear, self-contained breathing apparatus, avoid exposure to decomposition products, cool containers with water mist if exposed to flames

6. Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Avoid inhalation of vapor, mist, or dust, avoid skin and eye contact, use recommended personal protective equipment
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage where safe to do so, avoid release into soil, surface water, or sewage system
Cleanup Methods: Absorb spill with inert dry material (vermiculite, dry sand), place in chemical waste container for disposal, ventilate area, wash spill site after material pickup has been completed, dispose contaminated materials according to local and national regulations

7. Handling and Storage

Precautions for Safe Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, wear appropriate protective equipment including gloves, goggles, and chemical-resistant apron, avoid formation and inhalation of aerosols, never eat, drink, or smoke during work, handle away from incompatible chemicals such as strong bases and oxidants
Conditions for Safe Storage: Store in tightly sealed original container, keep in cool, dry, and well-ventilated location, avoid direct sunlight and heat sources, segregate from incompatible materials, label clearly and keep out of reach of unauthorized personnel

8. Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use in chemical fume hood or with adequate local exhaust ventilation, provide emergency eyewash and safety shower nearby
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH or EN-approved respirator if exposure limits are exceeded or irritation is experienced
Protective Clothing: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene recommended), chemical safety goggles or face shield, lab coat or apron
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling, remove contaminated clothing promptly, do not touch face or exposed skin without decontaminating

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless or pale yellow viscous liquid or solid (dependent on temperature)
Odor: Faint, sweetish or aromatic smell
Odor Threshold: No data available
pH: Not determined
Melting Point/Freezing Point: 19-24 °C
Boiling Point: Decomposes above 300 °C
Flash Point: >170 °C (closed cup)
Flammability: Not easily flammable, but can burn at high temperatures
Vapor Pressure: Very low at room temperature
Solubility: Miscible with water and some organic solvents like methanol, ethanol, acetone
Density: Approximately 1.06 g/cm3 at 25 °C
Partition Coefficient: Not determined
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not established
Viscosity: Relatively high for ionic liquids; exact value varies with temperature

10. Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage conditions
Reactivity: Avoid contact with oxidizers and strong bases, may hydrolyze in presence of moisture at elevated temperatures
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Produces toxic gases including boron trifluoride, hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides under fire or excessive heating
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, high heat, strong oxidizing environments

11. Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Harmful if swallowed (LD50 oral, rat: estimated 400-800 mg/kg), may cause irritation to mucous membranes if inhaled
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes moderate to severe irritation; may lead to dermatitis on prolonged contact
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes substantial eye irritation, potential for damage with extended exposure
Respiratory Sensitization: Possible respiratory system irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath
Carcinogenicity: No data showing carcinogenic effects in humans or animals
Mutagenicity: No available information for mutagenic potential
Repeated Dose Toxicity: Not fully assessed; potential organ effects with chronic exposure not ruled out

12. Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Expected to be moderately toxic to aquatic organisms (fish, daphnia, algae), may cause long-term aquatic effects, notify authorities in case of large-scale environmental release
Persistence and Degradability: Moderate persistence, ionic liquids not readily biodegradable, may resist breakdown in standard wastewater treatment
Bioaccumulation Potential: Limited information, potential for low to moderate bioaccumulation cannot be excluded
Mobility in Soil: High water solubility increases potential for mobility in soil, may contaminate groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: Contain fluorinated components, which may contribute to environmental toxicity in case of persistent release

13. Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose through licensed chemical waste contractor, incinerate in approved facility under controlled conditions, never dispose in regular trash or down drains
Waste Code: Suitable EPA or country-specific code for organic solvents containing hazardous chemicals
Recommended Disposal: Collect contaminated absorbent and solid wastes in sealed containers, label clearly, comply with all local, regional, and national laws

14. Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified under typical UN classifications; transport in accordance with local chemical safety laws
UN Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated for general land, air, or sea transport under most jurisdictions; verify with specific transport provider
Transport Hazard Class: Not assigned
Packing Group: Not assigned
Special Precautions: Package securely, prevent leakage during transit, carry Transport Emergency Card and SDS during shipments
Environmental Hazards: Not considered dangerous for the environment under ADR/RID, IMDG, or IATA standards but take measures to prevent spillage

15. Regulatory Information

US TSCA Status: Listed or exempt
EU REACH Status: Registration or notification may be required depending on use and volume
Inventory Listings: Assessed under national chemical inventory regulations (e.g., EINECS, AICS, DSL)
Labeling Requirements: Follow OSHA, CLP, or equivalent globally harmonized system (GHS) standards
Additional Regulations: Satisfy applicable local, state, national, and international regulatory obligations for hazardous chemicals, include all safety features in labeling and shipping documents