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Chemical Datasheet

DECABORANE

4.1 - Flammable solid 6.1 - Poison
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
  • 17702-41-9
  • Flammable Solid
  • Poison
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Decaboraneexternal_link
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
2
3 2
W
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 2 Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special W Reacts violently or explosively with water.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
White crystals or colorless crystalline needles with an intense, bitter, chocolate-like odor. Used in rocket propellants, as a catalyst in olefin polymerization, as a rubber vulcanizer, to coat metals with corrosion resistant boron, in manufacture of plastics, as an oxygen scavenger; in mothproofing, in dye-stripping, as a reducing and fluxing agent, as a stabilizer and rayon delustrant. (EPA, 1998)

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
Highly flammable. It may spontaneously ignite upon exposure to air. Slightly soluble in cold water [Merck].
Fire Hazard
Decaborane mixed with carbon tetrachloride is dangerously shock sensitive. It reacts slowly with air but when mixed with air or oxygen, it becomes highly flammable and may explode. It undergoes an explosive reaction with most oxidizing agents including halogenated hydrocarbons. It may give off toxic fumes of unburned material. When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes of boron oxides. Incompatible with ethers; halocarbons; oxygen at 212F; dimethyl sulfoxide, most oxidizing agents, including halogenated hydrocarbons. It is corrosive to natural rubber, some synthetic rubbers, some greases, and some lubricants. Normally stable, but becomes unstable at elevated temperature and pressure. Hazardous polymerization may not occur. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
May cause death or permanent injury after very short exposure to small quantities. Produces marked irritation of skin and mucous membranes. May cause liver injury. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
DECABORANE forms impact-sensitive mixtures with halocarbons (carbon tetrachloride) or with ethers (dioxane). It ignites in oxygen at 100°C. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of boron oxides [Hawthorne, M. F., Inorg. Synth., 1967, 10, p. 93]. It may form an explosive mixture with dimethyl sulfoxide [Shriver, 1969, p. 209]. It reacts with amides, acetone, butyraldehyde, and acetonitrile at room temperature [Merck].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

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 134 [Flammable Solids - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.

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. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and full protective clothing.

Small fires: cover with sand, earth or water spray and keep it wet. Large fires: water spray or fog. Do not scatter spilled material with more water than needed for fire control. Move container from fire area if you can do so without risk. Spray cooling water on containers that are exposed to flames until well after fire is out. For massive fire in cargo area, use unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 134 [Flammable Solids - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Decaboraneexternal 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 - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.
• DAILY - The worker should wash daily at the end of each work shift, and prior to eating, drinking, smoking, etc.

Remove: WHEN WET OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

Provide:
• EYEWASH - Eyewash fountains should be provided 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 - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided 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
Warning: Effects may be delayed up to 24 hours. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Acute Decaborane Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to decaborane may include tightness in the chest, dyspnea (shortness of breath), cough, and wheezing. Nausea and pulmonary edema may also occur. Neurological effects of acute exposure include dizziness, headache, weakness, incoordination, muscle spasms, tremor, and seizures. Exposure to decaborane may irritate or burn the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to decaborane may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to decaborane.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Transport to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to decaborane.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas at least twice with large amounts of cool water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Transport to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Vomiting may be induced with syrup of Ipecac. If elapsed time since ingestion of decaborane is unknown or suspected to be greater than 30 minutes, do not induce vomiting and proceed to Step
4. Ipecac should not be administered to children under 6 months of age.Warning: Ingestion of decaborane may result in sudden onset of seizures or loss of consciousness. Syrup of Ipecac should be administered only if victims are alert, have an active gag-reflex, and show no signs of impending seizure or coma. If ANY uncertainty exists, proceed to Step
4.The following dosages of Ipecac are recommended: children up to 1 year old, 10 mL (1/3 oz); children 1 to 12 years old, 15 mL (1/2 oz); adults, 30 mL (1 oz). Ambulate (walk) the victims and give large quantities of water. If vomiting has not occurred after 15 minutes, Ipecac may be readministered. Continue to ambulate and give water to the victims. If vomiting has not occurred within 15 minutes after second administration of Ipecac, administer activated charcoal.
4. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
5. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
6. Transport to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

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:
  • B10H14
Flash Point: 176°F (EPA, 1998)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: 300°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: 211°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 19 mmHg at 212°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 0.95 at 77°F (EPA, 1998) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 415°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 122.22 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: Slight (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 9.88 eV (NIOSH, 2023)
IDLH: 15 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2023)

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
Decaborane (17702-41-9) 0.75 mg/m3 10 mg/m3 100 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

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
Decaborane(14) 17702-41-9 500/10000 pounds 500 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

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.