Chemical Name: Tetrabutylammonium Hexafluorophosphate
Synonyms: TBA PF6, Tetra-n-butylammonium hexafluorophosphate, PF6 salt
Molecular Formula: C16H36F6NP
Molecular Weight: 387.43 g/mol
Recommended Use: Electrolyte in nonaqueous electrochemistry, laboratory reagent
Supplier Information: Contact of supplier, address, emergency phone, and email provided by manufacturer
Product Number: Manufacturer-specific
Emergency Contact: Chemtrec 1-800-424-9300 (domestic US); +1-703-527-3887 (international)
Classification: Eye irritation (Category 2A), Skin irritation (Category 2), Acute toxicity, oral (Category 4)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. Harmful if swallowed.
Pictograms: Exclamation mark symbol
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Do not eat, drink, or smoke when working with chemical. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Potential Health Effects: Eyes: redness, watering, irritation; Skin: rash, redness, pain; Inhalation: coughing, throat discomfort, shortness of breath; Ingestion: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Chemical Identity: Tetrabutylammonium Hexafluorophosphate
CAS Number: 3109-63-5
Purity: Typically >98%
Other Ingredients: No significant impurities affecting classification
Relevant Concentration: Pure substance
General Advice: Remove person from exposure, seek medical assistance for any symptoms
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Seek medical help.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash with plenty of soap and water. Seek attention if rash or irritation develops.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. Provide oxygen if breathing is difficult. If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel.
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically, supportive care recommended.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, foam, water spray
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: High pressure water jet can spread product
Hazards from Combustion: Hydrogen fluoride, phosphorus oxides, carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, toxic fumes
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Special Procedures: Cool fire-exposed containers with water spray, prevent runoff from entering drains.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ventilate area, avoid breathing dust, prevent contact with eyes and skin.
Environmental Precautions: Do not allow to enter sewers, surface water, or soil.
Containment: Sweep up or vacuum without generating dust and place in suitable closed container.
Cleanup Procedures: Wash spill site with soap after material pickup is complete.
Disposal: Collect waste for legal chemical disposal; follow Section 13 (Disposal Considerations).
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated places, wear proper PPE including gloves, eye protection, and mask, avoid ingestion and inhalation, minimize dust generation.
Hygiene Practices: Separate work clothes, keep food away, wash thoroughly after handling.
Storage: Store in tightly closed container in cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from moisture, acids, strong bases, and oxidizers.
Incompatibilities: Oxidizing agents, strong acids, reducing agents.
Packaging Materials: Use compatible materials like glass or high-density polyethylene.
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hood or local exhaust to control dust exposure.
Occupational Exposure Limits: Not established for this substance; follow good laboratory hygiene.
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH/MSHA approved dust masks if exposure risk exists.
Skin Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, long sleeves, laboratory coat.
Eye Protection: Chemical safety goggles or face shield.
Other Protection: Eyewash stations and safety showers in work area.
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 240-250 °C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
pH: Not applicable (insoluble in water)
Solubility: Soluble in polar organic solvents like acetonitrile, propylene carbonate
Density: 1.3-1.5 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Flash Point: Not flammable in solid state
Partition Coefficient: No data available
Evaporation Rate: Not volatile
Autoignition Temperature: No data
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal laboratory and storage conditions.
Decomposition: Releases hydrogen fluoride, phosphorus oxides, and other toxic fumes at high temperature or with strong acids.
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, excessive heat, incompatible chemicals.
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizers, acids, bases, strong reducing agents.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen fluoride, phosphorus pentafluoride, carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides.
Routes of Exposure: Skin contact, eye contact, ingestion, inhalation.
Acute Effects: Causes irritation; harmful if swallowed.
Chronic Effects: Data insufficient to determine chronic toxicity.
LD50 (oral, rat): Not available specifically; structurally similar ammonium salts: LD50 > 500 mg/kg.
Eye Damage: Severe irritation, risk of lasting effects from high exposure.
Skin Contact: Prolonged exposure may cause redness, dryness, and dermatitis.
Inhalation: Dust may cause irritation of respiratory tract.
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity: Not listed by IARC, ACGIH, NTP, OSHA; insufficient data.
Target Organs: No specific target organs known.
Ecotoxicity: Acutely toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations, possible long-term hazards due to persistence of halogenated anion.
Mobility in Soil: Low mobility expected due to salt nature, but can contaminate water if released.
Persistence/Degradability: Tetrabutylammonium and PF6 anion are stable, slow biodegradation.
Bioaccumulation: Low expected due to high polarity; environmental partitioning limited.
Aquatic Toxicity: No comprehensive studies; related quaternary ammonium compounds affect aquatic life.
Other Adverse Effects: Avoid release to environment to prevent bioaccumulation or persistence concerns.
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, national, or international regulations. Do not discharge to waterways.
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse, dispose as hazardous waste.
Recommended Disposal: Transfer to licensed chemical disposal contractor, incineration or chemical landfill according to laws.
EPA Waste Code: Not specifically listed but may be hazardous due to toxicity.
Precautions for Disposal: Never dump into drains or uncontrolled environment.
UN Number: Not regulated for most forms of transport.
Proper Shipping Name: Tetrabutylammonium Hexafluorophosphate
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified under current GHS/ADR/IATA/DOT rules for small laboratory quantities.
Packing Group: Not assigned; check with carrier for bulk shipments.
Environmental Hazards: Substance harmful to aquatic environment; label accordingly if above reportable quantities.
Special Precautions: Secure packaging, prevent leaks, transport upright.
OSHA Status: Not specifically regulated as hazardous substance under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
TSCA Status: Listed in US Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory.
SARA Title III: Not listed under Sections 302, 304, 313.
REACH Information: Manufacturer or importer responsible for compliance; item may require notification if imported in high quantities.
Other Regulatory Listings: Not evaluated by IARC, not on NTP or OSHA carcinogen lists.
Labeling Requirements: GHS/OSHA-compliant hazard communication labels.
