Product Name: Silicon Tetrachloride
Chemical Formula: SiCl4
Synonyms: Tetrachlorosilane
CAS Number: 10026-04-7
Recommended Uses: Intermediate in the manufacture of silicon-based products, optical fiber production, chemical synthesis
Manufacturer Contact: Supplier name, address, emergency telephone number and email
Emergency Overview: Volatile, corrosive liquid, pungent odor, releases toxic fumes on contact with moisture
Classification (GHS): Acute toxicity (oral, inhalation, dermal), Skin corrosion, Eye damage, Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure), Corrosive to metals
Hazard Statements: May cause severe burns to skin and eyes; toxic if inhaled or swallowed; generates hydrochloric acid fumes on contact with water; contact leads to rapid tissue damage
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors or mist; use only in well-ventilated area; wear protective equipment; keep away from water and incompatible materials
Physical Hazards: Reacts violently with water; releases fumes of hydrochloric acid and silicon oxides
Chemical: Silicon tetrachloride
Concentration: 99% or higher
Impurities: Possible trace amounts of trichlorosilane, hexachlorodisiloxane
Chemical Abstracts Service Number: 10026-04-7
Molecular Weight: 169.90 g/mol
Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately, keep at rest, seek medical advice promptly, give oxygen if breathing is difficult, do not give mouth-to-mouth respiration if exposed to material
Skin Contact: Rinse affected area with plenty of running water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, seek immediate medical help, do not use neutralizing agents on the skin
Eye Contact: Rinse with low-pressure water for at least 15 minutes, hold eyelids open, seek urgent medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, do not induce vomiting, give water if conscious, never give anything by mouth if unconscious, seek immediate medical help
Symptoms: Severe irritation, burning pain, blistering, redness, coughing, difficulty breathing, chemical burns, pulmonary edema possible in serious cases
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or alcohol resistant foam, do not use water directly on the spill or fire
Fire Hazards: Emits toxic and corrosive fumes of hydrogen chloride and silicon oxides on combustion
Protective Equipment: Firefighters must wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Special Precautions: Approach upwind, keep unnecessary personnel away, prevent water from entering containers—may react violently
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, silicon dioxide
Explosion Sensitivity: Reacts violently with water and moisture-laden air
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ensure adequate ventilation, avoid inhalation and contact, wear chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, goggles, and respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spills from entering drains, surface and ground water; inform local authorities in case of leaks
Clean-Up Methods: Absorb small spills with inert dry material like sand or vermiculite, collect, scoop into sealable non-metal containers, neutralize remnants cautiously with sodium bicarbonate solution, ventilate area thoroughly, dispose according to regulations
Containment: Use dikes or sand barriers to corner large spills, avoid contact with water; keep upwind during clean-up
Disposal of Contaminated Materials: Store in sealed non-metal, corrosion-resistant container pending disposal
Handling: Handle in chemical fume hood, avoid splashing or aerosol formation, never add water to product, use tools and containers constructed of compatible materials
Storage Conditions: Keep tightly closed in dry, cool, well-ventilated area, segregate from water, alcohols, strong oxidizers, strong bases
Incompatible Materials: Water, moist air, strong bases, alcohols, amines, metal oxides
Storage Materials: Use corrosion-resistant, tightly sealed containers (glass or compatible plastics)
Special Requirements: Clearly label storage area, keep away from heat, direct sunlight, sources of ignition, install leak detection where possible
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL (hydrogen chloride, as a byproduct): 5 ppm ceiling; ACGIH TLV: 5 ppm ceiling for hydrogen chloride; No established PEL/TWA for silicon tetrachloride itself
Engineering Controls: Chemical fume hood, local exhaust ventilation, corrosion-resistant piping and equipment
Personal Protection: Chemical splash goggles, full acid-resistant face shield, chemical-resistant gloves (neoprene, butyl rubber), long sleeve clothing, apron, closed shoes, use supplied-air respirator in insufficient ventilation
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing immediately, wash thoroughly after handling, maintain safety shower and eyewash station nearby, do not eat or drink near product use
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow fuming liquid
Odor: Pungent, choking smell similar to hydrochloric acid
Boiling Point: 57.6°C (135.7°F)
Melting Point: -70°C
Flash Point: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: 118 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 5.8 (air = 1)
Density: 1.48 g/cm3 at 20°C
Solubility: Reacts violently with water
pH: Acidic on contact with moisture
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Fast (compared to water)
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions in absence of water and moisture
Hazardous Reactions: Violent hydrolysis on contact with water, forms hydrochloric acid fumes and silica
Materials to Avoid: Water, alcohols, strong bases, oxidizing agents, amines
Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride, silicon oxide
Conditions to Avoid: Contact with moisture, humid air, high temperatures, incompatibles
Acute Toxicity: LD50 Oral (rat): 860 mg/kg
Inhalation Effects: Severe irritation, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema in severe cases
Skin Effects: Burns, blistering, necrosis
Eye Effects: Profound damage, corneal burns, possible blindness
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure may result in respiratory tract irritation, skin allergy
Cancer Data: Not listed as carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin or eye contact, ingestion
Target Organs: Respiratory system, skin, eyes
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life due to hydrolysis generating hydrochloric acid and silica gel; low persistence, high acute toxicity for aquatic organisms in case of spill
Fate and Transport: Rapidly hydrolyzes to silicon dioxide and hydrochloric acid; local pH decrease may have adverse environmental impacts
Bioaccumulation: Not expected due to rapid hydrolysis and non-volatile hydrolysis products
Mobility in Soil: Hydrolyzes before significant migration
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, soils, and vegetation
Waste Disposal: Dispose through licensed hazardous waste contractor, comply with local, state, federal regulations
Container Disposal: Triple rinse emptied containers with water, neutralize, send for chemical waste recycling when possible
Special Instructions: Never dispose of by pouring into drain or environment, neutralize residual product before disposal
Regulatory Status: List as hazardous waste by US EPA (RCRA, D003, D002)
UN Number: UN 1818
Proper Shipping Name: Silicon tetrachloride
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Corrosive
Marine Pollutant: Yes, due to acidification in aqueous environments
Special Transport Precautions: Keep container upright and dry, secure in tightly sealed, corrosion-resistant container, segregate from incompatibles
US Federal Regulations: Listed on TSCA inventory; SARA Title III Section 313; RCRA hazardous waste; subject to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Canada: Listed on DSL, WHMIS Classification: Class E—Corrosive Material
Europe: EINECS #233-054-0; REACH registered; SEVESO Directive: Qualifying quantity for major accident notification
Other Regulations: Subject to workplace safety, hazardous material storage, environmental protection regulations in most jurisdictions; requires SDS access and employee training for handling
Labeling Requirements: GHS pictograms for acute toxicity, skin corrosion, environmental hazard
