Product Name: N-Ethylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate
Synonyms: 1-Ethyl-3-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate
Chemical Formula: C5H9BF4N2
CAS Number: 143314-16-3
Recommended Use: Laboratory chemicals, ionic liquid research, synthesis
Supplier’s Information: Typical chemical suppliers specializing in ionic liquids; check relevant contacts for the most current details.
Emergency Telephone: Refer to local poison control centers for chemical emergencies; ensure internal workplace contacts are updated and accessible.
GHS Classification: Eye irritation, Skin irritation, Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Single Exposure); not generally considered a major acute hazard but can cause mild to moderate irritation and discomfort on direct contact
Label Elements: Signal Word: Warning; Hazard Pictograms: Exclamation Mark
Hazard Statements: Causes skin irritation; Causes serious eye irritation; May cause respiratory tract irritation, especially as fine powder or mist
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves; Wash hands thoroughly after handling; Avoid breathing vapors or dust; In case of contact, flush eyes or skin immediately; Seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Potential Health Effects: Contact may produce redness, swelling, pruritus, or dryness on exposed areas; accidental exposure can produce irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract; some individuals may experience mild symptoms resembling chemical burns after long exposure.
Chemical Name: N-Ethylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate
Common Name: As listed above
CAS No.: 143314-16-3
Concentration: Typically supplied at 98% or greater.
Other Ingredients: Not commonly included; some samples contain trace levels of impurities or related compounds (<1%) due to manufacturing processes but no other hazardous ingredients reported at relevant concentrations.
Eye Contact: Immediately flush with cool, clean water for at least 15 minutes; if irritation continues, get medical assistance.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water; rinse repeatedly. Get medical attention for persistent redness or discomfort.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air; assist breathing if needed; seek medical help for persistent symptoms like cough, wheezing, or tightness in chest.
Ingestion: If swallowed, rinse mouth with water if conscious; do not induce vomiting unless directed by a medical professional; seek medical attention promptly, especially with odd symptoms.
Most Important Symptoms: Stinging, burning, or persistent irritation at site of contact; rare cases of respiratory difficulty.
Medical Attention: Standard workplace first aid should be available onsite; health professionals can refer to detailed chemical toxicity records if advanced care is needed.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam; avoid applying water streams directly to spills of large volumes.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Dense smoke, toxic and corrosive gases including hydrogen fluoride, boron trifluoride, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide can result from thermal decomposition.
Advice for Fire Fighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus; utilize chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing.
Fire & Explosion Hazards: Not especially flammable; potentially hazardous gases may form in fire conditions.
Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant PPE and respiratory protection are critical for all fire response staff working near smoke or combustion fumes.
Personal Precautions: Prevent skin, eye, and respiratory exposure; use splash goggles, gloves, boots, and suitable respirators for dusts or vapors.
Environmental Precautions: Block unauthorized drains and keep chemical out of groundwater, surface water, and sewage systems.
Methods for Clean-Up: Absorb spill with inert materials such as sand or vermiculite; place in chemical waste containers for disposal; sweep carefully to avoid dust clouds and ventilate area.
Emergency Procedures: Evacuate unnecessary personnel; ensure lab or facility ventilation remains effective.
Decontamination: After removal of bulk, wash area thoroughly with water and mild detergent; repeat until all visible residues are gone and air tested as safe.
Handling Precautions: Keep containers sealed; only open in well-ventilated areas or fume hoods; avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing.
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling; do not eat, drink, or smoke in active work areas.
Conditions for Safe Storage: Keep in a dry, cool, well-ventilated area away from sources of moisture or ignition; store in tightly closed original containers.
Incompatible Materials: Moisture, strong oxidizing agents, strong acids; avoid contact with aluminum and silicon-based materials where corrosion or reaction may occur.
Storage Class: Store as hazardous, non-volatile organic solid; safety cabinets or acid-resistant shelving work well.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established limit for this compound; follow standard exposure controls for chemicals of similar hazard profile.
Engineering Controls: Operate with local exhaust ventilation, fume hoods, or effective air filtration.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear chemically-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), laboratory coats, eye protection (goggles or face shields); use appropriate respirator for dust or vapor exposure.
Environmental Controls: Prevent discharge to drains, sewers, or surface water; monitor local air quality in case of accidental release or large-scale use.
Exposure Monitoring: Regularly inspect PPE for integrity and replace damaged or heavily used items at set intervals; periodic workplace air sampling may be helpful where use is frequent.
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder or solid
Odor: Slight, characteristic pungent smell (may be undetectable at low concentrations)
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: Aqueous solutions mildly acidic; typical pH range from 4 to 6
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Melting range 81–87 °C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Not readily flammable; flash point not typically measurable
Evaporation Rate: Not volatile at room temperature
Flammability: Not easily flammable under standard conditions
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at 20°C
Solubility: Easily soluble in water, alcohols, some organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not established
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not determined
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Bulk Density: Varies; generally 1.30–1.45 g/cm³
Decomposition Temperature: Begins to decompose at approximately 200°C
Chemical Stability: Remains stable under standard laboratory or storage conditions; stores best below 25°C, protected from moisture
Conditions to Avoid: Open flames, excessive heat, direct sunlight, and humid environments
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, mineral acids, bases, moisture, acyl chlorides, and some metals like aluminum
Hazardous Decomposition Products: May break down to boron trifluoride, hydrogen fluoride, carbon oxides, and nitrogen oxides when heated or burned
Polymerization: No hazardous polymerization expected if used and stored correctly
Likely Routes of Exposure: Contact with eyes, skin, inhalation of dust or mist, accidental ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Low to moderate acute toxicity; skin and mucosal surfaces sensitive to contact
Skin Contact: Causes irritation, rash, and possibly chemical burns with sustained exposure
Eye Contact: Redness, tearing, burning, blurred vision possible
Inhalation: May provoke coughing, throat and nose irritation, temporary respiratory discomfort
Ingestion: Mild burning, abdominal pain, nausea possible
Chronic Toxicity: No reliable data on chronic health impacts; care warranted due to lack of long-term exposure information
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: No reliable animal or human data available indicating carcinogenic or mutagenic effects for this compound
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system
Ecotoxicity: Possible moderate toxicity for aquatic life; insufficient detailed data for chronic aquatic or terrestrial effects
Persistence and Degradability: Poorly biodegradable in surface environments; may persist in soil and water for extended periods
Bioaccumulation Potential: Expected to have low potential for bioaccumulation based on structure and water solubility, although hard data limited
Mobility in Soil: High water solubility; likely to move readily in aquatic and moist environments
Other Adverse Effects: Ionic liquids as a class have mixed records; best to minimize release into the environment; seek guidance on emerging research and regulatory advisories
Waste Disposal Methods: Collect waste in tightly sealed containers; label for hazardous waste disposal according to local, regional, and federal guidelines
Disposal of Containers: Triple rinse and puncture or treat as hazardous chemical waste; avoid open landfill disposal
Environmental Caution: Avoid entry to waterways, storm drains, or soil; incinerate in licensed facility if permitted
Disposal Regulations: Follow all chemical waste laws; use authorized hazardous waste collection services
UN Number: Not assigned for this specific material at the time of review
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated as a dangerous good for ground, sea, or air transit under standard guidelines; verify for bulk transport or international shipment
Packing Group: Not applicable
Proper Shipping Name: N-Ethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate
Environmental Hazards: Not listed as marine pollutant; avoid bulk discharges
Special Precautions: Double-bag or seal to prevent leaks; label clearly for research/specialty chemical handling; carry Safety Data Sheet during surface or air transport
EU Regulations: Listed under REACH registry; not classified as a major hazard under current EU CLP
OSHA Status: Not specifically regulated as a toxic or hazardous substance
Other International Regulations: Not on major restricted chemical lists; updates to transport or handling practices may appear as ionic liquids gain more regulatory attention
Safety, Health, Environmental Regulations: Observe Risk and Safety Phrases; maintain MSDS access in all use areas; local chemical hygiene plans should cover handling, storage, and spill response
Chemical Inventories: Confirm inclusion in national/state chemical inventories where shipment or import is planned; check labeling and hazard communication requirements before purchase or laboratory adoption
