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Chemical Datasheet
TRIMETHYL PHOSPHITE |
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Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
- 121-45-9
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NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
Trimethyl phosphite
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NFPA 704
General Description
A clear colorless liquid with a strong foul odor. Flash point 99°F. Denser than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air. Used to make other chemicals.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water and denser than water. Slowly reacts with water to form phosphoric acid and corresponding organic alcohol.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic fumes of POx. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Symptoms of exposure may include burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea, and vomiting. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
As soon as TRIMETHYL PHOSPHITE contacted a small amount of magnesium perchlorate in a flask, there was a flash and an explosion that shattered the flask (Allison 1968).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
- Sulfonates, Phosphonates, and Thiophosphonates, Organic
- Reducing Agents, Weak
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 130
[Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
LARGE 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)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 130
[Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]:
CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient.
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: 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. 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 130
[Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]:
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. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.
LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Trimethyl phosphite:
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)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical |
CAS Number |
State |
QS |
QC |
SL |
C3 |
TF |
TP |
RC |
TK |
RF |
Trimethyl phosphite |
121-45-9 |
Liquid |
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210 |
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>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be
used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or
explosive environments. Only...
(DuPont, 2023)
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Trimethyl phosphite:
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: SOAP FLUSH IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately flush the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water. If irritation persists after washing, get medical attention.
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 - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2023)
Physical Properties
Flash Point:
82°F
(USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point:
-108°F
(USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure:
24 mmHg
at 77°F
(NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity:
1.046
at 68°F
(USCG, 1999)
- Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point:
232°F
at 760 mmHg
(USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight:
124.08
(USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility:
Reacts with water
(NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
Interim AEGLs for Trimethyl Phosphite (121-45-9)
Exposure Period |
AEGL-1 |
AEGL-2 |
AEGL-3 |
10 minutes |
11 ppm |
110 ppm |
560 ppm |
30 minutes |
7.6 ppm |
77 ppm |
390 ppm |
60 minutes |
6.1 ppm |
61 ppm |
310 ppm |
4 hours |
3.8 ppm |
38 ppm |
160 ppm |
8 hours |
2.5 ppm |
25 ppm |
81 ppm |
(NAC/NRC, 2023)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
No ERPG information available.
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical |
PAC-1 |
PAC-2 |
PAC-3 |
Trimethyl phosphite (121-45-9)
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6.1 ppm |
61 ppm |
310 ppm |
(DOE, 2018)
Regulatory Information
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 |
Trimethyl phosphite |
121-45-9 |
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80.00 % |
220 pounds |
CW/CWP |
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(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.
Alternate Chemical Names
- METHYL PHOSPHITE
- PHOSPHOROUS ACID
- TMP
- TRIMETHOXYPHOSPHINE
- TRIMETHYL ESTER
- TRIMETHYL ESTER OF PHOSPHOROUS ACID
- TRIMETHYL PHOSPHITE