Product Name: Tetramethylammonium Chloride
Common Names: TMAC, Quaternary Ammonium Salt
Chemical Formula: (CH3)4NCl
CAS Number: 75-57-0
Recommended Uses: Organic synthesis, catalyst, chemical intermediate in industrial settings
Supplier Details: Chemical manufacturer or distributor information required for contact in emergencies or for technical support
Emergency Contact: Local poison center or chemical safety office, available 24/7 through the supplier
Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal), Eye irritation, Skin irritation
GHS Label Elements: Pictogram: Corrosive, Exclamation mark
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed; causes skin irritation and serious eye damage; toxic to aquatic life
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, mist or vapors; wash skin thoroughly after handling; wear protective gloves, clothing, eye and face protection
Chemical Identity: Tetramethylammonium chloride
Synonyms: Tetramethylammonium salt, TMAC
Concentration: Pure product (≥98%) in most commercial lots
Impurities: May include trace amounts of water; no other hazardous impurities expected
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air; if symptoms persist, call for medical attention
Skin Contact: Immediately rinse with plenty of water and remove contaminated clothing; seek medical help if irritation occurs
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; get urgent medical advice due to risk of eye damage
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water and do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical advice; never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person
Acute Symptoms: Nausea, confusion, muscle weakness, skin and eye burning; severity may depend on dose and time before intervention
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry powder, or carbon dioxide extinguishers
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jets due to risk of chemical splatter
Specific Hazards: Releases toxic fumes such as hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, methylamines when heated or combusted
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear including self-contained breathing apparatus for all fire-fighting tasks
Firefighting Advice: Keep unsafe persons away, cool containers at risk with water spray, monitor toxic vapors, and avoid inhaling combustion fumes
Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential personnel, ventilate the area, use chemical-protective gloves, goggles, and clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to sewers and waterways; contain spillage with dry earth, sand, or inert absorbent
Clean-Up Methods: Scoop spilled substance into containers for disposal; wash contaminated surface thoroughly; ventilate once cleanup is complete; dispose of all contaminated materials as hazardous waste
Emergency Procedures: Inform relevant authorities, isolate contaminated area, monitor air for hazardous vapors
Safe Handling: Avoid dust formation and ensure that ventilation is effective, particularly in closed spaces; never eat, drink, or use tobacco while handling chemicals; keep containers tightly sealed
Hygiene Measures: Always wash hands and exposed skin after handling; avoid all unnecessary contact with skin, eyes, and clothing
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from incompatible substances such as oxidizers and acids; keep container upright and closed when not in use
Incompatibilities: Avoid exposure to strong acids, bases, oxidizing agents, and alkali metals
Special Storage Needs: Protect from physical damage and moisture; store away from sources of ignition and direct sunlight
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific regulatory exposure limits in most jurisdictions; still, minimize exposure as much as possible
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, fume hood, or closed handling systems for high dust or vapor operations; keep airborne concentrations below possible irritation thresholds
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), protective eyewear (goggles or face shield), lab coat, chemical-resistant apron as needed; respiratory protection such as P3 mask or organic vapor respirator for dust, mist, or insufficient ventilation
Hygiene Practices: Remove contaminated clothing promptly; use eye wash stations and safety showers where products are handled regularly
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline solid or powder
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 239 °C (462 °F)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Highly soluble in water, moderately soluble in ethanol
pH (aqueous solution): Typically neutral to slightly alkaline
Vapor Density: Not applicable (non-volatile solid)
Density: About 1.2 g/cm3 at 20 °C
Partition coefficient (log Kow): Not established
Other Data: Hygroscopic; may clump if exposed to air; stable under normal temperatures and atmospheric pressure
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, but decomposes at elevated temperatures
Reactivity: Reacts with strong acids to release toxic vapors; produces hazardous decomposition products such as methylamines and hydrogen chloride
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, alkali metals; may cause a violent reaction leading to hazardous byproducts
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, trimethylamine, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides
Conditions to Avoid: Prolonged exposure to heat, light, and moisture; generation of dust in confined spaces
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): Approximately 50-400 mg/kg depending on study; may be fatal if swallowed in large amounts
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes moderate to severe irritation; can cause dermatitis with prolonged or repeated contact
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes serious eye damage
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may affect central nervous system, cause muscle weakness, respiratory depression, and other neurological symptoms
Target Organs: Nervous system, eyes, GI tract, skin
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by OSHA, NTP, IARC, or ACGIH based on current knowledge
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms; may cause long-term damaging effects in aquatic environments
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable; may persist in water or soil
Bioaccumulative Potential: Data limited, not expected to bioaccumulate significantly due to high water solubility
Mobility in Soil: High water solubility increases mobility through soil and potential to reach groundwater
Ecotoxicity Data: LC50 for fish ranges from 1-10 mg/L based on laboratory studies
Other Hazards: Harmful effects on microbial populations in treatment systems; restrict release to the environment to avoid disrupting ecosystems
Waste Disposal Methods: Must treat product as hazardous chemical waste; collect all product residues and contaminated materials, including PPE, in sealed labeled containers; hand off to licensed hazardous waste contractor
Container Handling: Triple-rinse containers, puncture or crush to prevent reuse, and dispose as hazardous waste
Sewage Disposal: Do not allow to enter drains, sewers, or watercourses; always contain and collect for proper disposal
Regulatory Requirements: Follow local, state, and national hazardous waste disposal regulations; reference disposal code and relevant guidelines for specific instructions in your jurisdiction
UN Number: UN2810 (Toxic solid, organic, n.o.s.)
Proper Shipping Name: Tetramethylammonium chloride
Transport Hazard Class: Class 6.1: Toxic Substances
Packing Group: II (substances presenting medium danger)
Labels: Toxic (skull and crossbones), handle with care
Special Precautions for User: Avoid spillage, ensure containers are sound and secure; transport with documentation in place per regulatory requirements
Marine Pollutant: Yes, due to aquatic toxicity
Additional Shipping Instructions: Ship in compliance with international guidelines such as IATA, IMDG, ADR for hazardous materials
Inventory Status: Listed in major international inventories including TSCA (USA), EINECS (Europe), DSL (Canada)
OSHA Status: Regulated as hazardous chemical
SARA Title III: May be subject to community right-to-know requirements
Labeling Requirements: Follow GHS hazard communication system; provide Safety Data Sheet and hazard labels at point of sale/use
Workplace Regulations: Use per local occupational safety standards; provide safety equipment, training, and emergency procedures to all handlers
Other Regulatory Data: Restrictions may apply for manufacture, sale, and disposal under specific national or international laws; check with authorities for updates and compliance requirements specific to location or use case
