Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Tributyloctylphosphonium Bromide

Identification

Product Name: Tributyloctylphosphonium Bromide
Chemical Formula: C24H54BrP
Synonyms: Tributyl(n-octyl)phosphonium bromide
CAS Number: 308362-19-6
Recommended Use: Chemical intermediate, phase transfer catalyst, research and development applications
Supplier Details: Provided by specialty chemical manufacturers or academic suppliers
Contact Information: Emergency and technical contacts included on package documentation and supplier MSDS

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation: Category 4), Serious eye irritation (Category 2), Skin irritation (Category 2)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, harmful if in contact with skin or inhaled, causes skin and eye irritation
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves, clothing, eye protection; avoid breathing dust, fumes, mist, or vapors; wash hands after handling; keep away from food and drink
Potential Health Effects: Inhalation exposure may cause respiratory discomfort or dizziness, skin or eye contact may cause redness, pain, or swelling, ingestion causes gastrointestinal distress
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance: Tributyloctylphosphonium Bromide
Chemical Identity: Single component substance
Chemical Family: Quaternary phosphonium salt
Concentration: >98% purity
Impurities: Residual organic or inorganic by-products determined by manufacturer testing, typically <2%
Stabilizers/Additives: None known reported by typical suppliers

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move exposed individual to fresh air immediately, monitor for breathing difficulty or coughing, provide artificial respiration if breathing stops, get prompt medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly for at least 15 minutes using water and mild soap, seek medical advice if irritation develops or persists
Eye Contact: Rinse carefully with low-pressure, clean water for not less than 15 minutes, lift eyelids regularly, seek medical assistance without delay
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, never induce vomiting unless directed by medical authority, give water only if conscious, contact poison control or obtain urgent medical attention
Acute/Chronic Symptoms: Redness, headache, nausea, respiratory distress, skin/eye burns possible with prolonged contact

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide for initial suppression; use water spray for cooling containers remotely
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct streams of water may spread chemical
Specific Hazards: Releases irritating and possibly toxic fumes, including phosphine, oxides of phosphorus, bromine, hydrocarbons during combustion
Firefighting Instructions: Approach from upwind, wear full protective turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus, prevent runoff into drains or waterways
Explosion Hazards: May evolve hazardous gases at elevated temperatures

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Put on chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, and safety goggles before handling spill
Environmental Precautions: Prevent chemical from entering soil, waterways or sewer systems
Clean-up Methods: Contain spill with sand or inert absorbent, shovel material into labeled chemical waste container, ventilate area well
Disposal: Remove collected waste using approved waste disposal company, decontaminate affected area with water and detergent, check for residual chemical

Handling and Storage

Handling Recommendations: Use with adequate local exhaust ventilation, avoid creating dust, never eat, drink, or smoke during use, handle with care to avoid spillage
Storage Conditions: Keep tightly closed in original container, store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat, moisture, or strong oxidizers
Specific Provisions: Keep container labeled at all times, restrict access to qualified personnel only, lock storage area if possible

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: No occupational exposure limits established; treat as potentially harmful substance
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hood or local exhaust ventilation as standard laboratory practice
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear safety goggles with side shields, chemical-resistant gloves made of nitrile or neoprene, laboratory coat or full-coverage protective clothing
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator suitable for dust, mist, or vapor concentrations if engineering controls are insufficient
Hygiene Measures: Remove and wash contaminated clothing, practice frequent hand washing, avoid direct contact with skin and eyes

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder
Odor: Mild or faint, typical of phosphonium compounds
Melting Point: 85–105°C (varies slightly with impurity profile)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Not readily flammable in standard conditions
Solubility: Soluble in water and most organic solvents like ethanol and acetone
Density: Ranges 1.05–1.15 g/cm³ at 20°C
pH: Neutral to slightly basic in aqueous solutions
Partition Coefficient (Log Kow): Estimated, moderate to low for environmental bioaccumulation

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal laboratory and storage conditions away from light and moisture
Possible Hazards: Decomposes at elevated temperatures or exposure to acids, yielding toxic and corrosive gases including phosphine, hydrogen bromide, and aliphatic hydrocarbons
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong acids, reactive metals
Hazardous Decomposition: Fumes from incomplete combustion or reaction with strong acids or oxidants

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Harmful by oral, dermal, and inhalation routes; animal studies indicate moderate acute toxicity, with oral LD50 in rats estimated at 300-2000 mg/kg
Irritation: Causes eye and skin irritation; repeated contact intensifies effect
Sensitization: No conclusive data for respiratory or dermal sensitization in humans, but take precautions
Long-Term Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may damage mucous membranes or respiratory organs; insufficient evidence for carcinogen classification
Other Effects: No reproductive or mutagenic toxicity studies on record for this compound; exercise caution typical to novel organic intermediates

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Moderately toxic to aquatic organisms (estimated LC50 values for fish or Daphnia below 10 mg/L); avoid release to water bodies
Persistence and Degradability: Does not degrade rapidly; expected to persist under environmental conditions
Bioaccumulation: Moderately bioaccumulative due to organic moiety, specific studies limited
Ecotoxic Effects: Can impact aquatic invertebrates, algae, microbial communities; may present risk to organisms downstream of accidental release
Other Environmental Properties: Mobile in aqueous environments, binds partially to soils or sediments

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Collect as hazardous chemical waste, incinerate in authorized facility, preference for high-temperature incineration with exhaust gas scrubbing
Container Handling: Decontaminate and triple-rinse containers before disposal, puncture or crush to prevent reuse
Environmental Disposal: Do not dispose in municipal waste, surface water, or conventional landfill; comply with national and local regulations
Special Precautions: Secure transport to licensed disposal provider with all documentation

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated under most global transport frameworks, but check local, state, or national listings
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous under the UN Recommendations; evaluate based on quantity and packaging
Packing Group: Not assigned; pack in appropriate chemical containers with hazard labeling
Shipping Name: Tributyloctylphosphonium bromide, chemical for laboratory or industrial use
Transport Precautions: Prevent shifting, rupture or leakage during transit; keep away from heat sources and moisture

Regulatory Information

OSHA Status: Not explicitly listed, but subject to general chemical hygiene standards
TSCA Status: Included in the United States Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory for research/industrial use
REACH Status (EU): Registration for professional/industrial handling, compliance required
Other Regulations: Regulated under workplace safety, chemical storage, and disposal laws in most jurisdictions; specific hazard communication required for user and distributor notifications
Label Requirements: Follows GHS standards with hazard, precaution, and supplier labeling mandated
Additional Guidance: Seek out most current local, regional, or national chemical safety codes, consult accredited safety officers for workplace protocols