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Chemical Datasheet

PHOSPHORUS PENTAFLUORIDE

2.3 - Poisonous gas 8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 7647-19-0   (PHOSPHORUS PENTAFLUORIDE)
  • 2198
  • Poison Gas
  • Corrosive
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Phosphorus pentafluoride is a colorless, poisonous, nonflammable, compressed gas with a pungent odor. It is extremely irritating to skin, eyes and mucus membranes. It is very toxic by inhalation and can cause pulmonary edema. Toxic and corrosive fumes are generated when this material is exposed to water or steam. Prolonged exposure of the containers to fire or heat may result in their violent rupturing and rocketing. It is used as a polymerization catalyst.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Fumes strongly in air, with traces of moisture forming POF3 and HF (corrosive). Decomposed in water or moist air to form phosphoric acid and hydrofluoric Acid, corrosive [Merck 11th ed. 1989].
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

Some may burn but none ignite readily. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Some of these materials may react violently with 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. For UN1005: Anhydrous ammonia, at high concentrations in confined spaces, presents a flammability risk if a source of ignition is introduced. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
PHOSPHORUS PENTAFLUORIDE is a colorless, toxic gas, when exposed to air it strongly fumes. Vigorous reaction with water or steam leads to decomposition (hydrolysis) producing toxic and corrosive fumes. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of fluoride and oxides of phosphorus [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 1034].
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.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

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 2198 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck 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, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical or CO2.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Do not get water inside containers. 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. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. 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. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 125 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

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 125 Polymerizable warning [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive]:

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. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. In case of skin contact with hydrogen fluoride, anhydrous (UN1052), if calcium gluconate gel is available, rinse 5 minutes, then apply gel. Otherwise, continue rinsing until medical treatment is available. Keep victim calm and warm. Keep victim under observation. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. (ERG, 2020)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • F5P
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: 125.97
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

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
Phosphorous pentafluoride (7647-19-0) 2 ppm 22 ppm 130 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

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