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Chemical Name: Hafnium(IV) chloride.
Chemical Formula: HfCl4.
Synonyms: Hafnium tetrachloride.
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline solid.
Odor: Slight, sharp.
Use: Used in research labs for specialty coatings and advanced material synthesis, especially where high-purity reagents play a role.
Signal Word: Danger.
Hazard Classes: Corrosive to skin and eyes, toxic if inhaled or ingested.
Hazard Statements: Causes severe burns, especially when mixed with moisture; releases hydrogen chloride fumes that irritate respiratory tract; accidental exposure can cause lasting damage without proper medical attention.
Pictograms: Corrosion, skull and crossbones, exclamation mark.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion.
Substance: Hafnium(IV) chloride.
CAS Number: 13499-05-3.
Concentration: 100% (pure compound).
Impurities: Trace zirconium chloride or similar halides may occur, but minimal in laboratory-grade material.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air quickly; heavy exposure chokes airways and calls for immediate medical help. Use oxygen if trouble breathing continues.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing fast; flush skin under water for at least 15 minutes and apply no creams or ointments until seen by a doctor.
Eye Contact: Rinse under flowing water for a minimum of 15 minutes, holding lids apart, and avoid rubbing; emergency medical care is essential if irritation continues.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth if conscious and never attempt home remedies; head to a hospital with the product label or name in hand.
Extinguishing Media: Use dry sand, dry chemical or carbon dioxide; avoid water—mixing with water produces acidic vapors and can worsen the hazard.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride can fill a closed space; inhaling HCl fumes irritates lungs and sinuses.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full body chemical protection and self-contained breathing apparatus; no shortcuts on gear.
Fire Fighting Advice: Keep containers cooler than the blaze with gentle water sprays from a distance; try not to let runoff enter the drain.
Personal Precautions: Full chemical-resistant gear; nobody should clean up without gloves, eyewear, and a face shield.
Environmental Precautions: Do not let spills reach drains, surface waters, or soil—small amounts can disrupt aquatic environments or groundwater.
Clean-up Methods: Avoid water-based cleaning; sweep up solid spills with non-sparking tools and place in sealed containers for disposal.
Decontamination: Ventilate area well; neutralize residues with soda ash or calcium oxide, observing local safety and disposal rules.
Handling: Work in fume hoods, wear gloves, goggles, lab coat; don’t get complacent around dust or fumes since moisture turns it into hydrochloric acid instantly.
Storage: Air-tight, corrosion-resistant containers; store away from water, humidity, and foodstuffs; post clear hazard signs and keep well-ventilated.
Avoid: Unprotected contact with water or bases, storage near combustible or incompatible substances.
Engineering Controls: Fume hoods, glove boxes or good general exhaust; personal experiences show that skipping these can lead to noticeable respiratory problems after as little as a quick cleanup.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chem-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles, face shield, lab coat, and closed footwear keep hazards off skin and eyes.
Respiratory Protection: Only use NIOSH-approved respirators suited for airborne chlorides; don’t rely on cheap masks.
Workplace Monitoring: Check airborne levels with detectors if available; don’t assume clean air just because the area smells fine.
Form: White crystalline solid.
Melting Point: 320 °C (608 °F).
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling; sends off hydrogen chloride under high heat or moisture.
Vapor Pressure: Low under ambient conditions; rises rapidly at elevated temperatures.
Solubility: Reacts with water.
Odor: Slightly pungent, especially around moist air.
Density: 3.89 g/cm3 (at 20°C).
Stability: Stable under dry, cool storage; reacts fast with water or humid air, yielding corrosive hydrogen chloride.
Incompatible Materials: Water, alcohols, strong oxidizers, organic materials, and common construction metals.
Hazardous Decomposition: Hydrogen chloride gas and hafnium oxides.
Polymerization: Not a concern under regular handling, but should not be mixed with incompatible chemicals.
Acute Effects: Contact causes burns or severe irritation to skin, eyes, mucous membranes; inhaling dust or vapor triggers cough, choking, lung discomfort.
Chronic Effects: Ongoing exposure, even at low levels, can scar skin or corrode upper airways over time; prolonged contact burns tissue much like other strong chlorides.
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion.
Sensitization: Not widely reported, but its corrosive nature means extra caution trumps theoretical low risk.
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Harmful to aquatic organisms; leaks may boost acidity, hurting fish and invertebrates.
Mobility in Soil: Water solubility of reaction products leads to easy spread once released.
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic, doesn’t break down in the environment; chloride ions linger.
Disposal Methods: Don’t pour down the drain. Collect debris and contaminated cleaning materials in sealed alkali-resistant containers; arrange for hazardous waste pickup or use a certified disposal contractor.
Contaminated Packaging: Clean thoroughly before disposal or recycling, following local hazardous waste laws; don’t try to reuse containers in the lab.
Incineration: Not advised because strong acid gases evolve.
UN Number: Classified for regulated transport as a hazardous material.
Shipping Name: Inorganic corrosive solid, toxic, n.o.s. (Hafnium tetrachloride).
Packing Group: II or III (varies by local regulation).
Special Precautions: Keep containers sealed, upright, protected from impact or moisture; label clear hazard identity for handlers.
OSHA: Corrosive, regulated under hazardous chemical standards.
TSCA: Listed for use in research and regulated laboratories.
WHMIS (Canada): Controlled product, meets criteria for immediate and serious toxic effects.
EU Classification: Corrosive, toxic; clear hazard and safety label expectations.
Local Rules: Many municipalities add restrictions on disposal and storage, differing between states or provinces.
