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Chemical Datasheet

CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE

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
  • 7790-91-2   (CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE)
  • Poison Gas
  • Oxidizer
  • Corrosive
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Chlorine trifluorideexternal_link
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
0
4 3
W ox
Blue Health 4 Can be lethal.
Red Flammability 0 Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
Yellow Instability 3 Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction but requires a strong initiating source or must be heated under confinement before initiation.
White Special W
OX
Reacts violently or explosively with water.
Possesses oxidizing properties.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless gas or green liquid with a pungent odor. Boils at 53°F. It reacts with water to form chlorine and hydrofluoric acid with release of heat. Contact with organic materials may result in spontaneous ignition. It is corrosive to metals and tissue. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health effects. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the container may violently rupture and rocket.

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
A violent reaction occurs with water or ice generating acidic HF and chlorine, [Sidgwick, 1156(1950)]. The release of Chlorine Trifluoride to the atmosphere rapidly generates two toxic reaction products: HF and Chlorine Dioxide, [Lombardi, D.A. and M.D. Cheng 1996. "Modeling Accidental Releases of Chlorine Trifluoride to the Atmosphere," Paper No. 96-WP66B.02, presented at the 89th Annual Meeting of the Air and Waste Management Association, Nashville, Tennessee, June 23-26].
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: If released from container, fumes are toxic and irritating.

Behavior in Fire: If released from container, can increase the intensity of fire. Containers may explode. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes extreme irritation of respiratory tract; pulmonary edema may result. Vapors are very irritating to eyes and skin; liquid causes severe burns. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE is a low-boiling liquid (b.p. 12°C) which is irritating and toxic in the gaseous state. A highly reactive oxidant, it is spontaneously flammable and used as a rocket propellant. It is incompatible with fuels and nitro compounds. Interaction with water is violent and may be explosive, even with ice [Sidgwick, 1950, p. 1156]. It undergoes an immediate explosive reaction on contact with hydrocarbons or halocarbons even at -70°C [Brower, K. R., J. Fluorine Chem., 1986, 31, p. 333]. Solutions with carbon tetrachloride are capable of detonation, while solutions with nitroaryl compounds (TNT, hexanitrobiphenyl) or highly chlorinated compounds are extremely shock-sensitive. Violent, sometimes explosive reaction with hydrogen containing materials, e.g., acetic acid, ammonia, benzene, ether, coal gas, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, methane, or fluoroamino compounds. Ignition with fibrous materials (cotton, paper, wood). [Mellor, 1956, vol. 2, suppl. 1, p. 155]. Explosive gaseous products (chlorodifluoroamine) are formed with ammonium fluoride or ammonium hydrogen fluoride [Gardner, D. M. et al., Inorg., Chem., 1963, 2, p. 413]. Ignition occurs on contact with iodine, boron-containing materials (boron powder, tetraboron carbide, boron-aluminum), fibrous or finely divided refractory materials (asbestos, glass, wool, sand, tungsten carbide). Violent reactions occur with mineral acids (nitric acid, sulfuric acid), chromium trioxide, ruthenium metal, selenium tetrafluoride. [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1235]. Chlorine trifluoride is a hypergolic oxidizer and contact with a number of metals and their oxides (aluminum, antimony, arsenic, calcium, copper, iridium, iron, lithium, lead, magnesium, molybdenum, osmium, potassium, rhodium, sodium, selenium, silver, tellurium, tin, tungsten, zinc), nonmetals (phosphorus, silicon, sulfur), salts (mercury iodide, potassium iodide, silver, nitrate, potassium carbonate) will result in a violent reaction often followed by ignition [Mellor, 1956, vol. 2, suppl. 1, p. 155; Sidgwick, 1950, p. 1156].
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 1749 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 NIOSH Pocket Guide for Chlorine trifluorideexternal link:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - 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
Tychem® Fabric Legend
QS = Tychem 2000 SFR
QC = Tychem 2000
SL = Tychem 4000
C3 = Tychem 5000
TF = Tychem 6000
TP = Tychem 6000 FR
RC = Tychem RESPONDER® CSM
TK = Tychem 10000
RF = Tychem 10000 FR
Testing Details
The fabric permeation data was generated for DuPont by a third party laboratory. Permeation data for industrial chemicals is obtained per ASTM F739. Normalized breakthrough times (the time at which the permeation rate exceeds 0.1 μg/cm2/min) are reported in minutes. All chemicals have been tested between approximately 20°C and 27°C unless otherwise stated. All chemicals have been tested at a concentration of greater than 95% unless otherwise stated.
Chemical warfare agents (Lewisite, Sarin, Soman, Sulfur Mustard, Tabun and VX Nerve Agent) have been tested at 22°C and 50% relative humidity per military standard MIL-STD-282. "Breakthrough time" for chemical warfare agents is defined as the time when the cumulative mass which permeated through the fabric exceeds the limit in MIL-STD-282 [either 1.25 or 4.0 μg/cm2].
A Caution from DuPont
This information is based upon technical data that DuPont believes to be reliable on the date issued. It is subject to revision as additional knowledge and experience are gained. The information reflects laboratory performance of fabrics, not complete garments, under controlled conditions. It is intended for informational use by persons having technical skill for evaluation under their specific end-use conditions, at their own discretion and risk. It is the user's responsibility to determine the level of toxicity and the proper personal protective equipment needed. Anyone intending to use this information should first verify that the garment selected is suitable for the intended use. In many cases, seams and closures have shorter breakthrough times and higher permeation rates than the fabric. If fabric becomes torn,abraded or punctured, or if seams or closures fail, or if attached gloves, visors, etc. are damaged, end user should discontinue use of garment to avoid potential exposure to chemical. Since conditions of use are outside our control, DuPont makes no warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, no warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular use and assume no liability in connection with any use of this information. This information is not intended as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patent, trademark or technical information of DuPont or others covering any material or its use.
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Chlorine trifluoride 7790-91-2 Vapor 45 45 45

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

...Tychem® ThermoPro, Tychem® Reflector® and Tychem® TK styles 600T/601T (with aluminized outer suit) garments are designed and tested to help reduce burn injury during escape from a flash fire. Users of Tychem® ThermoPro, Tychem® Reflector® and Tychem® TK styles 600T/601T (with aluminized outer suit) garments should not knowingly enter an explosive environment. Tychem® garments with attached socks must be worn inside protective outer footwear and are not suitable as outer footwear. These attached socks do not have adequate durability or slip resistance to be worn as the outer foot covering.

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Chlorine trifluorideexternal link:

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 FLUSH IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately flush the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water. Get medical attention promptly.

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

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:
  • ClF3
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -105°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: 1.4 atm (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 3.21 (NIOSH, 2023) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.85 at 51.8°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 53°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 92.5 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: Reacts with water (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 13.00 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 12 ppm (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Chlorine trifluoride (7790-91-2)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes 0.12 ppm 8.1 ppm 84 ppm
30 minutes 0.12 ppm 3.5 ppm 36 ppm
60 minutes 0.12 ppm 2 ppm 21 ppm
4 hours 0.12 ppm 0.7 ppm 7.3 ppm
8 hours 0.12 ppm 0.41 ppm 7.3 ppm
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Chlorine Trifluoride (7790-91-2) 0.1 ppm star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 1 ppm 10 ppm
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
Chlorine trifluoride (7790-91-2) 0.12 ppm 2 ppm 21 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 trifluoride 7790-91-2 9.97 % 45 pounds WME

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Chlorine Trifluoride 7790-91-2 1000 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names

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