Material Safety Data Sheet: Phosphorus Tribromide

Identification

Product Name: Phosphorus Tribromide
Synonyms: Tribromophosphane, PBr₃
CAS Number: 7789-60-8
Recommended Use: Chemical reagent, pharmaceutical intermediate, laboratory usage
Manufacturer: Industrial chemical suppliers, laboratory reagent distributors
Emergency Contact: Local poison control, workplace safety officer, emergency medical services

Hazard Identification

Classification: Corrosive to metals, Acute toxicity (inhalation, oral, dermal), Skin corrosion/irritation, Eye damage, Specific Target Organ Toxicity (single exposure)
Danger Symbols: Corrosive, Acute Toxic, Environmentally Hazardous
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, Harmful if inhaled, fatal if swallowed, Causes respiratory tract irritation, May cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic environment
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation, use personal protective gear, avoid environmental release, wash hands thoroughly after handling, do not eat or drink near chemical

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Phosphorus Tribromide
Common Name: PBr₃
Concentration: 99% or higher
Impurities: Trace phosphorus pentabromide, hydrogen bromide gas, phosphorus trichloride (if produced from recycled sources)

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, support breathing as needed, seek medical aid immediately
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothes, rinse skin under running water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical advice, do not use neutralizing agents on skin
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes continually with water for at least 15 minutes, lift eyelids to wash thoroughly, contact an ophthalmologist at once
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth, never give anything by mouth to unconscious person, get medical attention without delay
Notes for Medical Providers: Treat exposure to corrosive chemicals, monitor respiratory tract burns, manage with symptomatic treatment

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, sand, or CO₂; never use water or foam, which can produce corrosive fumes
Specific Hazards: Emits toxic and corrosive bromine-containing gases and phosphorus oxides if heated, reacts explosively with water
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Cool containers exposed to flames with dry agent, isolate area, remove all unprotected personnel, ventilate after fire

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Isolate spill area, evacuate personnel not involved in cleanup, provide adequate ventilation
Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles, appropriate respirator, corrosion-proof apron
Spill Cleanup: Absorb with inert material (dry sand or earth), place in suitable container for disposal, avoid runoff into drains, do not use water
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release to sewers, soil, surface water, notify authorities if environmental contamination occurs

Handling and Storage

Handling: Keep container tightly closed, use in chemical fume hood, avoid breathing vapors, avoid contact with skin and eyes, do not work under conditions of poor ventilation
Hygiene Practices: Remove contaminated clothing promptly, wash hands and face thoroughly before eating, drinking, or smoking
Storage: Store in original sealed containers, keep cool and dry, segregated from water, alcohols, acids, and oxidizers, ensure area is equipped with spill control and eyewash stations

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific OSHA or ACGIH established limit, minimize exposure, local regulations may apply
Engineering Controls: Fume hoods, local exhaust, eye wash stations, emergency showers
Respiratory Protection: Full-face respirator with acid gas cartridges in absence of adequate ventilation
Skin Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), full-length lab coat, chemical-resistant apron, closed-toe shoes
Eye Protection: Tight-fitting goggles, face shield during large-scale work
General Safety Protocols: Avoid splashes, do not reuse containers, never pipette by mouth, work with a partner for hazardous procedures

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to yellow liquid
Odor: Pungent, suffocating
pH: Strongly acidic in hydrolysis
Melting Point: -41°C
Boiling Point: 175°C
Flash Point: Not flammable under normal conditions
Solubility: Reacts violently with water
Vapor Pressure: 3 mm Hg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 9.2 (air=1)
Density: 2.89 g/cm³ at 20°C
Viscosity: Not measured specifically; flows freely at room temperature

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable if stored tightly sealed, inert atmosphere, dry conditions
Reactivity: Dangerous with water, alcohols, amines, strong oxidizers, strong bases
Hazardous Decomposition: Toxic and corrosive bromine gas, phosphorus oxides, hydrogen bromide
Polymerization: Not known to polymerize
Incompatible Materials: Moist air, acids, metals

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD₅₀ (rat): 170 mg/kg, Inhalation LC₅₀ (rat, 1hr): 1.3 mg/L, Dermal toxicity: corrosive
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin or eye contact, ingestion
Symptoms: Severe burning pain, skin blistering, eye injury, cough, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema
Chronic Effects: Possible delayed lung damage, chronic respiratory issues
Carcinogenicity: Not identified as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Sensitization: No data for skin or respiratory sensitization
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: No relevant data available

Ecological Information

Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Highly toxic, rapid hydrolysis produces acidic products harmful to aquatic organisms
Persistence and Degradability: Hydrolyzes instantly upon release to water, final products disperse as phosphorous and bromide ions
Bioaccumulation: Low, due to reactivity and breakdown in environment
Mobility in Soil: Moves quickly when spilled, creates acidic conditions damaging to flora and fauna
Other Adverse Effects: Alters natural water pH, disrupts local ecosystems

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: Treat as hazardous chemical waste, small amounts neutralized by slow addition into large volume of ice water in well-ventilated area, released fumes vented away from personnel
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse with appropriate neutralizer before discard, dispose of according to local hazardous waste regulations
Environmental Precautions: Keep away from drains, soils, or waterways during disposal, follow chemical waste guidelines set by governmental or local authorities

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 1808
Proper Shipping Name: Phosphorus Tribromide
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: I
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Transport Precautions: Secure all containers, keep upright at all times, transport by certified carriers, document hazardous nature on all shipment paperwork, use only approved containers

Regulatory Information

TSCA Status: Listed
Hazard Communication: Falls under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard requirements
SARA 313 (Toxic Release Inventory): Subject to reporting
International Inventories: Listed under EU REACH, Canada DSL/NDSL, Australia AICS, Japan ENCS
Worker Protection Standards: Must use Chemical Hygiene Plan, comply with emergency preparedness and response standards
Labeling: Meets requirements of Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for chemical labeling
Other Regulations: Complies with clean air and clean water regulations in major jurisdictions