Hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Identification

Product Name: Hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene
Chemical Formula: (NPCl₂)₃
CAS Number: 940-71-6
Synonyms: Hexachloro-1,3,5-triazine-1,3,5(2H,4H,6H)-triamine, N-Phosphazene hexachloride
Intended Use: Used in the production of specialty polymers, flame retardants, and as an intermediate in organic synthesis
Manufacturer Contact: Emergency phone numbers and supplier information listed directly on product container and shipping documents

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Corrosive, Acute Toxicity (Oral, Dermal, Inhalation), Environmental Hazard
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, harmful if inhaled, toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Pictogram: Corrosive (GHS05), Acute Toxicity (GHS06), Environment (GHS09)
Potential Health Effects: Irritates mucous membranes, skin, eyes, and respiratory tract — even short exposure can lead to serious discomfort or burns, and longer exposures raise the risk of systemic toxicity
Precautionary Statements: Wear appropriate protective clothing; avoid releases to the environment; wash exposed skin thoroughly

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical: Hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene
Concentration: >99% (typical for industrial use)
Impurities: Traces of related phosphazene oligomers and degradation products may remain after synthesis; consult lab certificate
Other Names: N/A — no significant admixtures in pure commercial grade
Molecular Weight: 347.7 g/mol

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep comfortable, seek medical attention if respiratory symptoms appear
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with plenty of water for a minimum of 15 minutes, get medical help for burns or persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, seek immediate medical help
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek emergency medical attention
Notes for Doctors: Treatment should address chemical burns and possible systemic absorption

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam. Water spray can be used for small fires only
Specific Hazards: Emits toxic fumes of hydrogen chloride, phosphorus oxides, and nitrogen oxides under fire
Protective Equipment: Wear full protective suit and self-contained breathing apparatus
Instructions: Remove containers from fire area if safe; avoid inhaling combustion products; cool surroundings with water spray to prevent explosions from pressure build-up

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, face shield, and a certified respirator
Environmental Precautions: Avoid runoff to water bodies or soil; notify authorities for large spills
Cleanup Methods: Ventilate area, contain spill, cover with dry inert absorbent (sand or earth), collect and place in sealed containers for proper disposal
Decontamination: Wash surfaces with suitable neutralizing agents or copious water, dispose waste according to local regulations

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Handle only in well-ventilated areas, use closed systems where possible, avoid all direct contact with powder and fumes, always wear personal protective equipment recommended under exposure controls
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly closed original containers, away from moisture, acids, alcohols, foodstuffs, and incompatible chemicals; keep in a cool, dry area assigned for hazardous substances
Packaging: Use corrosion-resistant containers with clear hazard labeling, keep away from light and sources of ignition
Incompatibilities: Reacts strongly with water, ammonia, strong acids, and certain organics

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific national limits, general dust limits apply (check local regulations)
Engineering Controls: Use enclosed processes, local exhaust ventilation, and safety showers/eyewash stations in the work area
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or butyl), splash-proof goggles, full protective clothing, and appropriate respiratory protection for dust/fumes
Hygiene Practices: Do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas; wash hands and face after handling; routinely check and maintain protective equipment

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Pungent, irritating (chlorine-like)
Melting Point: 114–116°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents (benzene, acetone, chloroform)
Density: 2.44 g/cm³ at 20°C
pH: Strongly acidic when in solution with water
Vapor Pressure: Very low at normal conditions
Decomposition Temperature: Above 160°C, releases corrosive gases
Other Data: Hydrolyzes readily in presence of moisture to yield corrosive and toxic byproducts

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable mixture under dry, sealed conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, high temperature, incompatibles like acids and bases
Incompatible Materials: Water, alcohols, strong oxidizing agents, alkalis
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, oxides of nitrogen and phosphorus
Polymerization: Does not self-polymerize, but decomposes if overheated or contaminated with water
Special Hazards: Even minor water ingress triggers intense exothermic reaction with acidic fumes

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, accidental ingestion
Acute Effects: Severe corrosive burns to skin and mucosa, respiratory distress, eye injury
Chronic Effects: Persistent skin damage, respiratory tract irritation after repeated exposure
Toxicity Data: LD₅₀ Oral (rat): ~500 mg/kg; Skin and inhalation routes are substantially harmful
Irritation/Corrosivity: Marked skin, eye, and respiratory irritation by all routes
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic or mutagenic based on available data, but long-term human studies limited
Other Effects: Potential for severe allergic skin reactions in predisposed individuals

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life, kills fish and invertebrates at very low concentrations
Mobility: Limited in soil; reacts with moisture and breaks down, but byproducts can leach
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades in water but produces stable hazardous substances (e.g., phosphoric acids, chlorides)
Bioaccumulation: No substantial evidence for bioaccumulation, but chlorinated byproducts may persist
Additional Hazards: Strong threat to aquatic environments, small spills may have lasting ecological impacts

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous chemical waste, contact properly licensed waste disposal facility
Waste Codes: Refer to local hazardous waste codes for halogenated chemical wastes
Do Not: Discharge into sewers, rivers, or general waste streams
Container Handling: Triple rinse before disposal, follow specific instructions for chemical residue management
Compliance: Follow all regional, national, and international hazardous waste regulations

Transport Information

UN Number: 3261
Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive solid, acidic, organic, n.o.s. (contains hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene)
Class: 8 (Corrosive Substances)
Packing Group: II
Labels: Corrosive
Special Precautions: Keep dry, avoid impact, ensure packaging integrity and secondary containment
Transport Mode: By land, sea, or air with full hazardous goods labeling and paperwork

Regulatory Information

Regulated Status: Listed as a hazardous substance under multiple chemical and workplace safety regulations
Global Inventories: Registered on EU REACH, US TSCA, Canadian DSL, Australian AICS, and other chemical inventories
Workplace Safety: Subject to labeling, training, and workplace exposure controls
Environmental Laws: Covered by regulations on handling, emissions, and effluent limits due to aquatic toxicity
Additional Compliance: Shipping and storage governed by international and local ADR, IMDG, and IATA rules for dangerous goods