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Chemical Datasheet

MAGNESIUM PERCHLORATE

5.1 - Oxidizer
Chemical Identifiers | Hazards | Response Recommendations | Physical Properties | Regulatory Information | Alternate Chemical Names

Chemical Identifiers

The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 10034-81-8
  • Oxidizer
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A white crystalline solid. Strongly absorbs water from air and dissolves in it. Accordingly, used as a regenerable drying agent. May explode under prolonged exposure to heat or fire.

Hazards

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Deliquescent. Water soluble
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Can form explosive mixture with combustible material or finely powdered metals. Increases the intensity of fires. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation of dust irritates mucous membranes. Ingestion of large amounts may be fatal; immediate symptoms include adominal pains, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, pallor, blueness, shortness of breath, unconsciousness. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
MAGNESIUM PERCHLORATE is a strong oxidizing agent. Decomposes at 185-190°C [Hawley]. Noncombustible but accelerates the burning of combustible materials. If large quantities are involved in the fire or the combustible material is finely divided an explosion may result. Avoid contact with mineral acids because of the danger of explosion. In the preparation of anhydrous dimethyl sulfoxide by vacuum distillation from anhydrous magnesium perchlorate, an explosion occurred [MCA Case History 1187, 1966]. Drying ethylene oxide with magnesium perchlorate resulted in an explosion [NSC Newsletter. Chem. Soc. 1959]. Magnesium perchlorate used in drying hydrocarbons exploded when heated to 220°C [Ind. & Eng. News 17:70. 1939]. As soon as trimethyl phosphite contacted a small amount of magnesium perchlorate in a flask, there was a flash and an explosion that shattered the flask [Allison 1968].
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. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

Response Recommendations

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]:

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.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).

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. If ammonium nitrate is in a tank, rail car or tank truck and involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, initiate evacuation including emergency responders for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]:

SMALL FIRE: Use water. Do not use dry chemicals or foams. CO2 or Halon® may provide limited control.

LARGE FIRE: Flood fire area with water from a distance. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: 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. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]:

Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside containers.

SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.

SMALL LIQUID SPILL: Use a non-combustible material like vermiculite or sand to soak up the product and place into a container for later disposal.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
U.S. Bu. Mines approved respirator; chemical safety goggles; face shield (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
INHALATION: remove victim to fresh air; get medical attention if irritation persists.

INGESTION: give large amount of water; induce vomiting; call a physician.

EYES: flush with copious quantities of water for at least 15 min.; call physician.

SKIN: flush with water. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • Mg(ClO4)2
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 2.21 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: Decomposes above 482.0°F (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 223.2 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Anhydrone; (Magnesium perchlorate) (10034-81-8) 4.9 mg/m3 54 mg/m3 320 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.