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Chemical Datasheet
CYANOGEN BROMIDE |
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Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
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NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
none
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NFPA 704
General Description
Cyanogen bromide is a colorless to white crystalline solid with a penetrating odor. It is slightly soluble in water. It is gradually decomposed by water and very rapidly by acids to give off hydrogen bromide, a flammable and poisonous gas. Contamination with many materials can cause rapid decomposition of the material. It is toxic by inhalation of its vapors or by the hydrogen cyanide from decomposition or by ingestion. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fire involving this material. It is used in gold extraction, to make other chemicals, and as a fumigant.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
It is slightly soluble in water. It is gradually decomposed by water and very rapidly by acids to give off hydrogen bromide, a poison gas.
Fire Hazard
Cyanogen bromide is not combustible itself, but impure cyanogen bromide decomposes rapidly and tends to explode. A violent reaction may take place on contact with large quantities of acid. Vapors are highly irritating. When material is heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of cyanide and bromide. Avoid water, acids. Avoid physical damage, contact with acids or water, and store away from a location where water may be needed for fire control. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Super toxic; probable oral lethal dose in humans is less than 5 mg/kg or a taste (less than 7 drops) for a 70 kg (150 lb.) person. Vapors are highly irritant and very poisonous. Individuals with chronic diseases of the kidneys, respiratory tract, skin, or thyroid are at greater risk of developing toxic cyanide effects. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
CYANOGEN BROMIDE is not combustible itself, but impure cyanogen bromide decomposes rapidly and tends to explode. A violent reaction may take place on contact with large quantities of acid. Avoid physical damage, contact with acids or water, and store away from a location where water may be needed for fire control. [EPA, 1998]. Benzene and cyanogen halides yield HCl as a byproduct (Hagedorn, F. H. Gelbke, and Federal Republic of Germany. 2002. Nitriles. In Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.).
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 157
[Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:
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: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.
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
Wear full protective clothing. Avoid direct water contact as it will cause cyanogen bromide to decompose, releasing toxic gases. Avoid breathing vapors or dusts; keep upwind; wear self-contained breathing apparatus.
Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty. Use foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Do not use water on material itself. If large quantities of combustibles are involved, use water in flooding quantities as spray and fog. Use water spray to absorb vapors. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Use water spray to knock down vapors. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 157
[Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:
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 damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.
SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Warning: Cyanogen bromide may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin or mucous membranes. Caution is advised.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Cyanogen Bromide Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to cyanogen bromide may include hypertension (high blood pressure) and tachycardia (rapid heart rate), followed by hypotension (low blood pressure) and bradycardia (slow heart rate). Cherry-red or bloody mucous membranes may be noted. Cardiac arrhythmias and other cardiac abnormalities are common. Cyanosis (blue tint to the skin and mucous membranes) may be observed. Headache, vertigo (dizziness), agitation, and giddiness may be followed by combative behavior, convulsions, paralysis, protruding eyeballs, dilated and unreactive pupils, and coma. Tachypnea (rapid, shallow respirations) or hyperpnea (rapid, deep respirations) may be followed by respiratory depression. Lung hemorrhage and pulmonary edema may also occur. Cyanogen bromide is irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Lacrimation (tearing) and a burning sensation of the mouth and throat are common. Salivation, nausea, and vomiting may also occur.
Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to cyanogen bromide may require decontamination and life support for the victims. All exposed persons should be transported to a health care facility as quickly as possible. 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 cyanogen bromide.
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. IMMEDIATELY begin administering 100% oxygen to all victims. Monitor victims for respiratory distress.Warning: To prevent self-poisoning, avoid mouth-to-mouth breathing; use a forced-oxygen mask. Direct oral contact with cyanogen bromide- contaminated persons or their gastric contents can result in self- poisoning.
3. RUSH to a health care facility!
4. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to cyanogen bromide.
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. IMMEDIATELY begin administering 100% oxygen to all victims. Monitor victims for respiratory distress.Warning: To prevent self-poisoning, avoid mouth-to-mouth breathing; use a forced-oxygen mask. Direct oral contact with cyanogen bromide- contaminated persons or their gastric contents can result in self- poisoning.
3. RUSH to a health care facility!
4. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
5. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
6. Wash exposed skin areas twice with soap and water.
7. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
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. IMMEDIATELY begin administering 100% oxygen to all victims. Monitor victims for respiratory distress.Warning: To prevent self-poisoning, avoid mouth-to-mouth breathing; use a forced-oxygen mask. Direct oral contact with cyanogen bromide- contaminated persons or their gastric contents can result in self- poisoning.
2. RUSH to a health care facility!
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize!
5. 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.
6. 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. (EPA, 1998)
Physical Properties
Flash Point:
Not Applicable. Not flammable.
(USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL):
Non-combustible.
(EPA, 1998)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL):
Non-combustible.
(EPA, 1998)
Autoignition Temperature:
Not Applicable. Not flammable.
(USCG, 1999)
Melting Point:
126°F
(EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure:
92 mmHg
at 68°F
(EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air):
3.62
(EPA, 1998)
- Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity:
2.015
at 68°F
(EPA, 1998)
- Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point:
142°F
at 760 mmHg
(EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight:
105.93
(EPA, 1998)
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 |
Cyanogen bromide (506-68-3)
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24 mg/m3 |
44 mg/m3 |
200 mg/m3 |
(DOE, 2018)
Regulatory Information
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 |
Cyanide Compounds |
N106 |
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313 |
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Cyanogen bromide |
506-68-3 |
500/10000 pounds |
1000 pounds |
1000 pounds |
313c |
U246 |
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(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
- BROMINE CYANIDE
- BROMINE CYANIDE (BRCN)
- BROMINE MONOCYANIDE
- BROMOCYAN
- BROMOCYANIDE
- BROMOCYANIDE (BRCN)
- BROMOCYANOGEN
- CAMPILIT
- CYANO BROMIDE
- CYANOBROMIDE
- CYANOGEN BROMIDE
- CYANOGEN BROMIDE (BRCN)
- CYANOGEN MONOBROMIDE
- TL 822