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Chemical Datasheet

TITANIUM TETRACHLORIDE

6.1 - Poison Inhalation Hazard 8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 7550-45-0   (TITANIUM TETRACHLORIDE)
  • 1838
  • Poison Inhalation Hazard
  • Corrosive
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • TITANIUM TETRACHLORIDE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
0
3 2
W
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 0 Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
Yellow Instability 2 Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special W Reacts violently or explosively with water.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless fuming liquid with a pungent odor. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Very toxic by inhalation.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Reacts exothermically with moisture in the air to evolve dense white fumes containing hydrochloric acid [Merck 13th ed. 1996].

Titanium tetrachloride reacts vigorously with water to generate gaseous HCl. Based on a scenario where the chemical is spilled into an excess of water (at least 5 fold excess of water), half of the maximum theoretical yield of Hydrogen Chloride gas will be created in 0.51 minutes. Experimental details are in the following: "Development of the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Distances for the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook", ANL/DIS-09-2, D.F. Brown, H.M. Hartmann, W.A. Freeman, and W.D. Haney, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, June 2009.
Fire Hazard
Material will react with water to produce hydrochloric acid. It may ignite other combustible materials (e.g., wood, oil, etc.). Flammable, poisonous gases may accumulate in tanks and hopper cars. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Reacts strongly with water to release hydrochloric acid and heat. Avoid water, moist air. Stable in concentrated aqueous solutions. Avoid contact with moisture; the chemical absorbs moisture from air and evolves dense white fumes. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
This compound is a highly corrosive, acute irritant to the skin, eyes, mucous membranes and the respiratory tract. It is capable of causing death or permanent injury due to exposures encountered in normal use. Even short contact may lead to eye inflammation which may result in corneal opacities. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
TITANIUM TETRACHLORIDE acts as an acid in aqueous solution. During the reduction of TITANIUM TETRACHLORIDE to titanium metal with potassium, an explosion occurred. The system had been heated to 90°C [Walter and Mandell 1967]. Addition directly to tetrahydrofuran caused a violent exothermic reaction [Inorg. Syn., 1982, 21, 135]. Ethylene can polymerize at low pressure if catalyzed by titanium halides. (Sundaram, K. M, M. M. Shreehan, E. F. Olszewski. "Ethylene." Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.)
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 137 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Water-Reactive - Corrosive]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1838 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Not flammable. For small fires, use dry chemical or carbon dioxide. For large fires, flood fire area with water from a distance. Do not get solid streams of water on spilled material. Move container from fire area if this can be done without risk. Cool containers exposed to flames with water until well after fire is out. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 137 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Water-Reactive - Corrosive]:

Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors; do not put water directly on leak, spill area or inside container. Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Titan(IV) chloride 7550-45-0 Liquid imm 120 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
Titanium tetrachloride 7550-45-0 Liquid imm 120 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.
"imm" indicates immediate; having a normalized breakthrough time of 10 minutes or less.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
Warning: Titanium tetrachloride is extremely corrosive. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Titanium Tetrachloride Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute ingestion of titanium tetrachloride may be severe and include salivation, intense thirst, difficulty in swallowing, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, chills, pain, and shock. Oral, esophageal, and stomach burns are common. Vomitus generally has a coffee-ground appearance. The potential for circulatory collapse is high following ingestion of titanium tetrachloride. Acute inhalation exposure of titanium tetrachloride may result in headache, weakness, sneezing, hoarseness, sore throat, choking, laryngitis, and respiratory tract irritation. Bleeding of nose and gums, ulceration of the nasal and oral mucosa, bronchitis, pneumonia, dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and pulmonary edema may also occur. If the eyes have come in contact with titanium tetrachloride, irritation, pain, swelling, corneal erosion, and blindness may result. Dermal exposure may result in dermatitis (red, inflamed skin), severe burns, and pain.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to titanium tetrachloride exposure may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to titanium tetrachloride.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. RUSH to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to titanium tetrachloride.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. RUSH to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize!
3. Rinse mouth with large amounts of water. Inform victims not to swallow this water.
4. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
5. Activated charcoal is of no value.
6. Give the victims water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
7. RUSH to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • TiCl4
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -11.4°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 10 mmHg at 70.34°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.726 (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 277.5°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 189.73 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Interim AEGLs for Titanium tetrachloride (7550-45-0)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 7.6 ppm 38 ppm
30 minutes NR 2.2 ppm 13 ppm
60 minutes NR 1 ppm 5.7 ppm
4 hours NR 0.21 ppm 2 ppm
8 hours NR 0.094 ppm 0.91 ppm
NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Titanium Tetrachloride (7550-45-0) 5 mg/m3 star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 20 mg/m3 80 mg/m3
star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Titanium tetrachloride (7550-45-0) 0.65 ppm 1 ppm 5.7 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Titanium chloride (TiCl4) (T-4)- 7550-45-0 100 pounds 1000 pounds 1000 pounds X 2500 pounds
Titanium tetrachloride 7550-45-0 100 pounds 1000 pounds 1000 pounds 313 2500 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Titanium tetrachloride; [Titanium chloride (TiCl4) (T-4)-] 7550-45-0 1.00 % 2500 pounds toxic 13.33 % 45 pounds WME ACG APA sabotage/ contamination

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names