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Chemical Datasheet

CHLORINE PENTAFLUORIDE

2.3 - Poisonous gas 5.1 - Oxidizer 8 - Corrosive
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
  • 13637-63-3   (CHLORINE PENTAFLUORIDE)
  • Poison Gas
  • Oxidizer
  • Corrosive
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A colorless gas with a sweet odor. Toxic by inhalation and an irritant to skin, eyes and mucus membranes. Corrosive. Heavier than air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may violently rupture or rocket. Used as an oxidizer in propellants.

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
Reacts with water or moisture in the air to produce corrosive hydrofluoric acid and toxic chlorine gas. Interaction with ice at -100°C, or with water vapor above 0°C is extremely vigorous (Christe, K.O. Inorg. Chem. 1972 11, 1220). Hydrochloric acid fumes might also be generated upon reaction with water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

Substance does not burn but will support combustion. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. These are strong oxidizers and will react vigorously or explosively with many materials including fuels. May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Some will react violently with air, moist air and/or water. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and/or corrosive gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
CHLORINE PENTAFLUORIDE is a strong oxidizing agent. Nonflammable, but likely to react vigorously on contact with combustible materials. Reacts violently with lithium, calcium. Emits highly toxic fluoride and chloride fumes when heated to decomposition. Extremely vigorous reaction with water, steam, even ice [Pilipovich D. et al., Inorg. Chem., 1967, 6, p. 1918]. Very vigorous reaction with anhydrous nitric acid even at -100°C [Christie, K. O., Inorg. Chem. 1992, 11, p. 1220].
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 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

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

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 2548 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
Excerpt from ERG Guide 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

SMALL FIRE: CAUTION: These materials do not burn but will support combustion. Some will react violently with water. Contain fire and let burn. If fire must be fought, water spray or fog is recommended. Water only; no dry chemical, CO2 or Halon®. Do not get water inside containers. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. 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. 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 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. Ventilate the area. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from ERG Guide 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; wash face and mouth before giving artificial respiration. Use a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Clothing frozen to the skin should be thawed before being removed. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim calm and warm. Keep victim under observation. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. (ERG, 2020)

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:
  • ClF5
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: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: 130.443
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 1.7 ppm [From IDLH Table: Chlorine Pentafluoride] (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Chlorine pentafluoride (13637-63-3)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 0.7 ppm 21 ppm
30 minutes NR 0.39 ppm 12 ppm
60 minutes NR 0.17 ppm 8 ppm
4 hours NR 0.082 ppm 3.9 ppm
8 hours NR 0.057 ppm 2.7 ppm
NR = Not recommended due to inadequate data. Absence of an AEGL-1 value does not imply that exposures below the AEGL-2 value are without adverse effects.
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Chlorine pentafluoride (13637-63-3) 0.015 ppm 0.17 ppm 8 ppm
(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)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Chlorine pentafluoride 13637-63-3 4.07 % 15 pounds WME

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Chlorine Pentrafluoride 13637-63-3 1000 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names

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