Product Name: Benzyltributylammonium chloride
Chemical Formula: C19H34ClN
Synonyms: Tributylbenzylammonium chloride, BTBAC
CAS Number: 56-37-1
EC Number: 200-267-1
Recommended Use: Phase-transfer catalyst, industrial chemical processes, organic synthesis
Supplier: Refer to manufacturer on shipment documents
Emergency Contact: National Poison Control Center or local emergency services
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral) Category 4, Skin Corrosion/Irritation Category 2, Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation Category 2A
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed. Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing mist, vapors, or spray. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Wear protective gloves/eye protection.
Physical Hazards: None expected under normal conditions
Health Hazards: Eye, skin, and gastrointestinal irritant; toxic if ingested in large quantities
Environmental Hazards: Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Chemical Name: Benzyltributylammonium chloride
CAS Number: 56-37-1
Concentration: ≥98% (by weight for most supplied batches)
Impurities: Low levels of related quaternary ammonium compounds, maximum impurity ≤2%
Molecular Weight: 324.93 g/mol
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention if respiratory irritation or symptoms persist.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash area gently with water and mild soap for at least 15 minutes.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present. Continue rinsing and get medical attention right away.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth but do not induce vomiting. Give water to sip if conscious. Seek prompt medical care.
Most Important Symptoms: Redness, pain, dryness, gastrointestinal discomfort, eye watering
Advice to Physician: Treat symptoms; provide supportive care as required
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: High pressure water jets may spread product
Specific Hazards: May produce toxic fumes of HCl, nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides on thermal decomposition
Protective Equipment & Precautions: Firefighters should wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Cool exposed containers with water spray to prevent overpressure and rupture
Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate as needed. Wear appropriate PPE including gloves, goggles, and protective clothing.
Spill Containment: Prevent product from entering drains or watercourses. Use non-sparking tools.
Cleanup Methods: Collect spillage using inert absorbent (sand, vermiculite). Place in suitable, labeled containers for disposal.
Decontamination: Wash contaminated surfaces with water and detergent.
Disposal of Clean-up Materials: Dispose in accordance with local and national regulations.
Environmental Precautions: Notify authorities if large quantities reach drains or waterways
Safe Handling: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Use only with adequate ventilation. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling.
Technical Measures: Use closed systems where possible. Employ proper grounding and bonding when transferring material.
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from incompatible materials.
Packaging Materials: Keep in original containers or compatible materials (glass, polypropylene)
Incompatible Products: Strong oxidizers, strong acids, anionic surfactants, moisture
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific limit established for this compound. General dust/mist limit applies (ACGIH TLV: 10 mg/m3 for nuisance particles).
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or process enclosure to minimize exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Nitrile or neoprene rubber gloves, chemical splash goggles, lab coat or other chemical-resistant clothing.
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirator if airborne concentrations exceed recommended limits or in poorly ventilated areas.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face after handling. Keep contaminated clothing separate; launder before reuse.
Environmental Exposure Controls: Use measures to prevent product from entering drains.
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline solid or powder
Odor: Mild, characteristic, may be slightly amine-like
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: Not determined (solubility in water forms a slightly alkaline solution)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: 161-163°C
Boiling Point/Range: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Not flammable under standard conditions
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not classified as flammable
Explosion Limits: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Vapor Density: Not available
Relative Density: 0.98-1.00 g/cm3 at 20°C
Solubility: Freely soluble in water (miscible); soluble in methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, and DMSO
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Estimated at 3.7
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not determined
Decomposition Temperature: Gradual decomposition above 170°C
Viscosity: Not applicable
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Thermal Decomposition: Decomposes with heating above melting point, forming toxic fumes
Reactivity: No hazardous reactivity expected under standard industrial conditions
Incompatible Materials: Avoid strong acids, bases, oxidizers, and anionic detergents which can cause decomposition or violent reaction
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Releases carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen chloride gas under fire or thermal decomposition
Polymerization: Will not occur under normal circumstances
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 470 mg/kg; harmful if swallowed
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes skin irritation, redness, and possible dermatitis
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes serious eye irritation, watering, and redness
Sensitization: Not expected to cause allergic skin reactions in standard tests
Chronic Toxicity: No data on carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive toxicity
Other Effects: Prolonged, repeated exposure may dry or crack skin
Symptoms: Burning, redness, pain in eyes or on skin, nausea, stomach upset if ingested
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Moderately toxic to aquatic organisms (algae EC50: 2.8 mg/L; daphnia EC50: 1.5 mg/L)
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable, slow environmental breakdown
Bioaccumulation Potential: Moderate based on estimated log Kow
Mobility in Soil: Moderate, may bind to organic matter
Other Adverse Effects: Risk of long-term effects in aquatic environments if released in quantity
Waste Treatment Methods: Incinerate in approved hazardous waste facility or dispose by controlled landfill per local regulations
Container Disposal: Triple rinse and offer for recycling or reconditioning
Hazardous Waste: Classified as hazardous due to toxicity
Special Precautions: Do not release to sewer, surface water, or soil
Disposal Regulation References: Check EPA, local, and national laws for handling and disposal
UN Number: 2811
UN Proper Shipping Name: Toxic solid, organic, n.o.s. (Benzyltributylammonium chloride)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Labeling Requirements: Toxic label required
Marine Pollutant: Yes; avoid spills to water
Special Transport Precautions: Protect from physical damage, moisture, and extreme temperatures
Regulatory Information for Transport: Refer to DOT, IATA, and IMDG for shipment specifics
Safety, Health and Environmental Regulations: Subject to TSCA (USA), REACH registration (EU), and national chemical inventories
Labelling According to GHS: Warning, toxic statements as detailed above
Workplace Hazards: Include in employee chemical safety training and control documentation
Other regulatory requirements: Maintain adequate documentation and records of use, storage, and disposal; report accidental releases as mandated
National and Local Regulations: Always check updated compliance obligations relating to storage limits, permitted uses, and site-specific impact assessments
