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Product Name: Tetrabutylammonium Hydroxide
Synonyms: Tetra-n-butylammonium hydroxide, n-Butylammonium hydroxide
Chemical Family: Quaternary ammonium compound
CAS Number: 2052-49-5
Recommended Uses: Phase transfer catalyst, chemical synthesis, laboratory reagent
Supplier Details: Manufacturer contact name, address, phone, and emergency number
Classification: Corrosive to skin and eyes, harmful if swallowed or inhaled
GHS Label Elements: Danger signal word; hazard pictograms include corrosive and exclamation mark
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause respiratory irritation, harmful if ingested
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation and contact with skin and eyes, wear protective equipment
Routes of Exposure: Ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, eye contact
Chemical Name: Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide
Formula: C16H37NO
Concentration: Varies; commonly available as 25% to 40% solution in water
Other Ingredients: Water, possible trace impurities below reportable levels
CAS Numbers: Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide 2052-49-5; Water 7732-18-5
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, lift eyelids; seek immediate medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with water for at least 15 minutes, get medical help
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, give water to dilute if victim is conscious, call poison center or doctor right away
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, keep person warm and at rest, administer oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek medical care
Major Symptoms: Burning sensation, pain, redness, coughing, respiratory distress, loss of vision from severe eye exposure
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, alcohol-resistant foam; avoid water jets directly on the substance
Specific Hazards: Releases toxic fumes under fire conditions including nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, protective clothing, gloves, goggles
Firefighting Advice: Cool containers with water from a safe distance, do not allow runoff to reach drains or watercourses
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, keep unprotected persons away, wear full protective gear including chemical resistant gloves, boots, goggles, and chemical suit
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to sewers, waterways, and confined spaces, contain spill with inert absorbent such as sand
Clean-up Methods: Absorb with inert material, shovel into container for disposal, ventilate area thoroughly, neutralize with dilute acid after containment
Decontamination: Wash equipment and surfaces with plenty of water and detergent
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, avoid breathing vapor, prevent contact with eyes and skin, do not eat or drink in work area, wash thoroughly after handling
Storage: Store in tightly closed container, in cool, dry, ventilated place away from incompatible chemicals like acids, oxidizers, and reducing agents
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, direct sunlight, moisture, sources of ignition
Special Precautions: Label containers clearly, keep away from alkali metals and strong oxidants
Engineering Controls: Work in chemical fume hood, use adequate exhaust ventilation, maintain eyewash stations and safety showers nearby
Respiratory Protection: Use approved air-purifying or supplied-air respirator if airborne concentrations exceed recommended exposure limits
Hand Protection: Wear impervious gloves such as nitrile, neoprene, or rubber
Eye Protection: Chemical safety goggles with side shields, face shield for bulk handling
Skin/Body Protection: Lab coat, chemical resistant apron, boots if significant splashing risk
Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing, always wash hands after handling and before breaks
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow liquid (aqueous solution); colorless solid
Odor: Fishy, amine-like odor
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: Extremely basic, pH above 13 in concentrated solutions
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Below 0°C for solution, pure solid melts between 24–27°C
Initial Boiling Point and Range: Solution boils above 100°C, dependent on water content
Flash Point: Not combustible
Evaporation Rate: Similar to water for dilute solutions
Flammability (Solid, Gas): Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Not determined
Vapor Density: Heavier than air for concentrated solutions
Relative Density: Varies with solution, typically around 0.95–1.05 g/cm³
Solubility in Water: Miscible
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): No data available
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: Degrades above 100°C
Viscosity: Depends on concentration, less viscous than pure water
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage, decomposes on contact with acids releasing heat
Possible Hazardous Reactions: Reacts rapidly and exothermically with acids, may react violently with oxidizers and alkali metals
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to heat or open flame, mixing with incompatible substances, presence of acids
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong oxidizing agents, certain metals such as aluminum
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides upon combustion
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Harmful if swallowed or inhaled, causes severe skin and eye burns; LD50 (oral, rat) reported in the range of 100–200 mg/kg for strong solutions
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes burns, redness, blistering
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes deep burns, pain, watering of eyes, can cause blindness
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: Not classified as a sensitizer
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure can lead to dermatitis or respiratory irritation
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity: No data available; not listed by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Harmful to aquatic organisms, can cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment
Persistence and Degradability: No significant bioaccumulation, but quaternary ammonium compounds can persist in some aquatic systems
Bioaccumulative Potential: Not expected to bioaccumulate significantly
Mobility in Soil: Readily mobile in water, can leach through soil
Other Adverse Effects: High pH may damage aquatic flora and fauna, neutralization before disposal is essential to limit environmental harm
Waste Treatment Methods: Neutralize carefully with dilute acid before disposal, collect for chemical incineration or as hazardous waste as per local and national regulations
Disposal Containers: Use clearly labeled, corrosion-resistant containers
Special Precautions: Avoid release to environment, do not pour into drains, consult local waste authorities
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly, dispose of as hazardous waste
UN Number: UN2922
UN Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive liquid, toxic, n.o.s. (contains Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances), 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: II
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Transport Precautions: Secure upright, keep away from incompatible material during transit, documentation must include proper hazard labels and emergency contact
OSHA Classification: Hazardous
TSCA Inventory: Listed
DSL/NDSL Status (Canada): Listed
EU Inventory: Listed in EINECS/ELINCS
Right to Know Lists (SARA 313, California Proposition 65): Not listed under Proposition 65, SARA applicability depends on concentration and use
Labeling Requirements: GHS-compliant hazard labels including statement of hazard, precautionary advice, and emergency first aid
