Chemical Datasheet
CYANOGEN |
|
Chemical Identifiers
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| NIOSH Pocket Guide | International Chem Safety Card | ||
Cyanogen
|
|||
NFPA 704
| Diamond | Hazard | Value | Description | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Health
|
4 | Can be lethal. | |||||||||
Flammability
|
4 | Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature. | ||||||||||
Instability
|
1 | Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures. | ||||||||||
Special
|
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless gas with an odor of almonds. Freezes at -28°C and boils at -20.7°C. Shipped as a liquid confined under its vapor pressure. The gas is heavier than air and a flame can travel back to the source of leak very easily. Prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat may cause the containers to violently rupture and rocket. Used to make other chemicals, as a fumigant, and as a rocket propellant.
Hazards
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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
- Highly Flammable
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Soluble in water and slowly decomposed by water to oxalic acid and ammonia.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Unburned vapors are highly toxic.
Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. Containers may explode in fire, releasing the highly toxic gas. (USCG, 1999)
Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. Containers may explode in fire, releasing the highly toxic gas. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Vapor irritates eyes and causes giddiness, headache, fatigue, and nausea if inhaled. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Colorless, flammable, highly toxic gas. It can react explosively with strong oxidants (dichlorine oxide, fluorene, oxygen, ozone). When heated to decomposition or on contact with acids, acid fumes, water or steam it will react to produce deadly hydrogen cyanide gas and oxides of nitrogen [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 945].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
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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 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:
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 1026 datasheet.
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)
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 1026 datasheet.
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:
DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. FOR CHLOROSILANES, DO NOT USE WATER; use alcohol-resistant foam. 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 in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)
DO NOT EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED.
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. FOR CHLOROSILANES, DO NOT USE WATER; use alcohol-resistant foam. 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 in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 119 [Gases - Toxic - Flammable]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. 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. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use alcohol-resistant foam to reduce vapors. 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. (ERG, 2024)
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. 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. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use alcohol-resistant foam to reduce vapors. 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. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Cyanogen:
Skin: FROSTBITE - Compressed gases may create low temperatures when they expand rapidly. Leaks and uses that allow rapid expansion may cause a frostbite hazard. Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent the skin from becoming frozen.
Eyes:
• PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.
• FROSTBITE - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact with the liquid that could result in burns or tissue damage from frostbite.
Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).
Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).
Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.
Provide: FROSTBITE WASH - Quick drench facilities and/or eyewash fountains should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is any possibility of exposure to liquids that are extremely cold or rapidly evaporating. (NIOSH, 2024)
:Skin: FROSTBITE - Compressed gases may create low temperatures when they expand rapidly. Leaks and uses that allow rapid expansion may cause a frostbite hazard. Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent the skin from becoming frozen.
Eyes:
• PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.
• FROSTBITE - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact with the liquid that could result in burns or tissue damage from frostbite.
Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).
Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).
Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift.
Provide: FROSTBITE WASH - Quick drench facilities and/or eyewash fountains should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is any possibility of exposure to liquids that are extremely cold or rapidly evaporating. (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Cyanogen:
Eye: FROSTBITE - If eye tissue is frozen, seek medical attention immediately; if tissue is not frozen, immediately and thoroughly flush the eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the lower and upper eyelids. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist, get medical attention as soon as possible.
Skin: FROSTBITE - If frostbite has occurred, seek medical attention immediately; do NOT rub the affected areas or flush them with water. In order to prevent further tissue damage, do NOT attempt to remove frozen clothing from frostbitten areas. If frostbite has NOT occurred, immediately and thoroughly wash contaminated skin with soap and water.
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. (NIOSH, 2024)
:Eye: FROSTBITE - If eye tissue is frozen, seek medical attention immediately; if tissue is not frozen, immediately and thoroughly flush the eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the lower and upper eyelids. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist, get medical attention as soon as possible.
Skin: FROSTBITE - If frostbite has occurred, seek medical attention immediately; do NOT rub the affected areas or flush them with water. In order to prevent further tissue damage, do NOT attempt to remove frozen clothing from frostbitten areas. If frostbite has NOT occurred, immediately and thoroughly wash contaminated skin with soap and water.
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. (NIOSH, 2024)
Physical Properties
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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.
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: |
|
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL):
6.6 %
(USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL):
43 %
(USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point:
-18.2°F
(USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure:
5.1 atm
at 70°F
(NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air):
1.82
(NIOSH, 2024)
- Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity:
0.954
at -5.8°F
(USCG, 1999)
- Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point:
-6.1°F
at 760 mmHg
(USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight:
52
(USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility:
1 %
(NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential:
13.57 eV
(NIOSH, 2024)
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
| Exposure Period | AEGL-1 | AEGL-2 | AEGL-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 2.5 ppm | 50 ppm | 150 ppm |
| 30 minutes | 2.5 ppm | 17 ppm | 50 ppm |
| 60 minutes | 2 ppm | 8.3 ppm | 25 ppm |
| 4 hours | 1.3 ppm | 4.3 ppm | 13 ppm |
| 8 hours | 1 ppm | 4.3 ppm | 13 ppm |
(NAC/NRC, 2024)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
| Chemical | PAC-1 | PAC-2 | PAC-3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanogen (460-19-5) | 2 ppm | 8.3 ppm | 25 ppm | LEL = 66000 ppm |
(DOE, 2024)
Regulatory Information
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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
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanogen | 460-19-5 | 100 pounds | P031 | 10000 pounds | |||
| Ethanedinitrile | 460-19-5 | 100 pounds | P031 | 10000 pounds |
(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
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; [Ethanedinitrile] | 460-19-5 | 1.00 % | 10000 pounds | flammable | 11.67 % | 45 pounds | WME | |||
- WME = weapons of mass effect.
(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
| Chemical Name | CAS Number | Threshold Quantity (TQ) |
|---|---|---|
| Cyanogen | 460-19-5 | 2500 pounds |
(OSHA, 2019)
Alternate Chemical Names
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This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical,
including trade names and synonyms.
- CARBON NITRIDE
- CARBON NITRIDE (C2N2)
- CYANOGEN
- CYANOGEN (C2N2)
- CYANOGEN GAS
- CYANOGEN, GAS
- CYANOGEN, LIQUEFIED
- DICYAN
- DICYANOGEN
- ETHANE DINITRILE
- ETHANEDINITRILE
- NITRILOACETONITRILE
- OXALIC ACID DINITRILE
- OXALONITRILE
- OXALYL CYANIDE
Web site owner:
Office of Response and Restoration,
National Ocean Service,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
USA.gov.
CAMEO Chemicals version 3.1.0 rev 1.