IRON PENTACARBONYL

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
3 1 1	Health	1	Can cause significant irritation.
	Flammability	3	Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
	Instability	1	Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
	Special

A yellow to dark red liquid. Insoluble in water and denser than water. Very toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption. Flash point 5°F. Used to make other chemicals.

• Strong Reducing Agent
• Pyrophoric

Highly flammable. Iron pentacarbonyl is spontaneously flammable in air, [R. Kamo, IIT Progs. Rept. 1, p. 23(1962)]. Insoluble in water.

This material may be ignited by heat, sparks, or flames. Vapors may travel to ignition source and flash back. Containers may explode in the heat of fire. Evolution of carbon monoxide may create a poison hazard. This material presents a vapor explosion and poison hazard indoors, outdoors, or in sewers. Evolves carbon monoxide on exposure to air or to light. Emits carbon monoxide when heated to decomposition. Avoid acetic acid, water, nitrogen oxide, transition metal halides, and zinc and it burns in air. Decomposes in acids and alkalies. Protect from light and air. (EPA, 1998)

Toxicity of this compound is high via all routes of entry. Cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin) and circulatory collapse may occur after exposure. Death may result. Pneumonitis and injury to the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system may also occur. (EPA, 1998)

Organometallics, such as IRON PENTACARBONYL, are reactive with many other groups. Incompatible with acids and bases. Organometallics are good reducing agents and therefore incompatible with oxidizing agents. Often reactive with water to generate toxic or flammable gases. A brown pyrophoric powder is produced by the combination of the carbonyl with acetic acid containing greater than 5% of water.

• Organometallics

No information available.

For spills, see ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1994 datasheet.

Excerpt from 136 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Air-Reactive)]:

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.

SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 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)

Isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind and keep out of low areas. Isolate area for 1/2 mile in all directions if tank car or truck is involved in fire. Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special protective clothing. Cool containers exposed to flames with water until fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or any discoloration of tank due to fire.

This material is incompatible with water. Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam for small fires, and water spray, fog, or foam for large fires. Move material from fire area if this can be done without risk. Dike fire control water for later disposal. (EPA, 1998)

Excerpt from 136 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Air-Reactive)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with water, sand or earth. Shovel into metal container and keep material under water.

LARGE SPILL: Dike for later disposal and cover with wet sand or earth. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Iron pentacarbonyl (as Fe):

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.

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: 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)

No information available.

Warning: Effects may be delayed 12 to 36 hours. Caution is advised. Emesis may be contraindicated if victim has ingested a mixture of iron, pentacarbonyl and a hydrocarbon solvent or fuel.

Signs and Symptoms of Iron, Pentacarbonyl- Exposure: Acute exposure to iron, pentacarbonyl- may produce dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Delayed effects may include fever, cough, chest pain, pulmonary irritation, dypsnea (difficulty breathing), and respiratory failure. Continuous exposure may lead to coma.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to iron, pentacarbonyl- 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 iron, pentacarbonyl-.
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. Rush to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to iron, pentacarbonyl-.
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 and isolate 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 thoroughly with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. Rush 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 iron, pentacarbonyl- 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: 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. Rush to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

• IRON CARBONYL
• IRON CARBONYL (FE(CO)5)
• IRON CARBONYL (FE(CO)5), (TB-5-11)-
• IRON PENTACARBONYL
• IRON PENTACARBONYL (FE(CO)5)
• PENTACARBONYL IRON
• PENTACARBONYLIRON
• R 20