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Chemical Datasheet

CYANOGEN CHLORIDE, STABILIZED

2.3 - Poisonous gas 8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 506-77-4   (CYANOGEN CHLORIDE)
  • 1589
  • Poison Gas
  • Corrosive
  • CCL
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Cyanogen chloride
  • CYANOGEN CHLORIDE
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A colorless gas or liquid with a strong acrid/pungent odor. Boils at 60°F. Liquid density 10.0 lb / gal. Shipped as a liquid confined under its own vapor pressure. A highly toxic lachrymator. Has been used as a tear gas. Vapor is heavier than air. Prolonged exposure of the container to fire or intense heat may cause violent rupturing and rocketing.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water. Very slow reaction with water to form hydrogen cyanide.
Fire Hazard
Not flammable. POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED WHEN HEATED IN FIRE. Overheated containers can explode. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
VAPOR: POISONOUS IF INHALED OR IF SKIN IS EXPOSED. Irritating to eyes. LIQUID: POISONOUS IF SWALLOWED. Will burn skin and eyes. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
CYANOGEN CHLORIDE may trimerize violently to form cyanuric chloride, catalyzed by hydrogen chloride or ammonium chloride. Reacts exothermically with alkenes and alkynes. Benzene and cyanogen halides yield HCl as a byproduct (Hagedorn, F. H. Gelbke, and Federal Republic of Germany. 2002. Nitriles. In Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

SPILL: If this material is being used as a weapon, see ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the 125 datasheet for unassigned UN/NA numbers Polymerizable warning. Otherwise see ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1589 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Do not get water inside containers. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Cyanogen chloride:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, the worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED (LIQUID) - If this chemical is in liquid form, work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.

Provide:
• EYEWASH (LIQUID) - Eyewash fountains should be provided (when this chemical is in liquid form) in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substances; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection.
• QUICK DRENCH (LIQUID) - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided (when this chemical is in liquid form) within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Cyanogen chloride:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: WATER WASH IMMEDIATELY (LIQUID) - If this chemical in liquid form contacts the skin, immediately wash the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and wash the skin with water. If symptoms occur after washing, get medical attention immediately.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY (LIQUID) - If this chemical in liquid form has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2023)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • CNCl
Flash Point: Not Applicable. Not flammable. (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): Not Applicable. Not flammable. (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): Not Applicable. Not flammable. (USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: Not Applicable. Not flammable. (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: 20°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: 704.36 mmHg at 50°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 2.1 (USCG, 1999) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.222 at 32°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 55.6°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 61.48 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: 7 % (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 12.49 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Cyanogen Chloride (506-77-4) NA 0.05 ppm 4 ppm
NA = not appropriate.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Cyanogen chloride (506-77-4) 0.0045 ppm 0.05 ppm 4 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
Cyanide Compounds N106 & 313
Cyanogen chloride 506-77-4 10 pounds 313c P033 10000 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
Cyanogen chloride 506-77-4 1.00 % 10000 pounds toxic 2.67 % 15 pounds WME

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Cyanogen Chloride 506-77-4 500 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names