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Chemical Datasheet

BORON TRIFLUORIDE DIMETHYL ETHERATE

4.3 - Dangerous when wet 8 - Corrosive 3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 353-42-4   (BORON TRIFLUORIDE DIMETHYL ETHERATE)
  • 2965
  • Dangerous When Wet
  • Corrosive
  • Flammable Liquid
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A fuming liquid. Corrosive to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May be toxic by inhalation. Used as a catalyst in chemical reactions.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. In moist air forms dense white pungent fumes, corrosive to skin, avoid inhalation [Merck 11th ed. 1989]. Upon exposure to water may emit flammable and corrosive vapors, including hydrofluoric acid fumes.
Fire Hazard
Fire may produce irritating or poisonous gases. Flammable/combustible material which may be ignited by heat spark or flame. Vapors may travel to a source of ignition and flash back. Container may explode in heat of fire. Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors, or in sewer. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes of fluorides. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
This material is highly toxic by inhalation. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
BORON TRIFLUORIDE DIMETHYL ETHERATE is a flammable, corrosive, and toxic liquid, moisture-sensitive. Emits toxic fluoride fumes when heated to decomposition [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 189].
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 139 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]:

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: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 2965 datasheet.

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 self-contained, positive- pressure breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Move containers from fire area if possible. Do not get water inside containers. Spray cooling water on containers that are exposed to flame until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or any discoloration of tank due to fire. Isolate for 1/2 mile in all directions if tank car or truck is involved in fire.

This material may react violently with water. For small fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam. For large fires, use water spray, fog, or foam. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 139 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam to reduce vapors.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.

POWDER SPILL: Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (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
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Boron trifluoride dimethyl etherate 353-42-4 Liquid >480 >480 >480
> indicates greater than.

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
Warning: This material is highly toxic by inhalation.

Signs and Symptoms of Boron Trifluoride Compound With Methyl Ether Exposure: Acute exposure to boron trifluoride compound with methyl ether may result in strong irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Direct contact may cause dermal or corneal burns. Boron trifluoride itself can cause severe respiratory irritation with chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema. Irritation or burns of the esophagus or gastrointestinal tract may occur following ingestion. Neurologic effects may include CNS depression and coma.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to boron trifluoride compound with methyl ether 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 trifluoride compound with methyl ether.
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 100% humidified supplemental oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for 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 boron trifluoride compound with methyl ether.
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 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, flush with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
6. Treat dermal irritation or burns with standard topical therapy.
7. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
8. 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 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Immediately dilute with water or milk: children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
5. Rush to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C2H6O.BF3
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: 258.8°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 113.89 (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
Boron trifluoride-dimethyl ether (353-42-4) 2.5 mg/m3 29 mg/m3 88 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
Boron trifluoride compound with methyl ether (1:1) 353-42-4 1000 pounds 1000 pounds 15000 pounds
Boron, trifluoro[oxybis[methane]]-, (T-4)- 353-42-4 1000 pounds 1000 pounds 15000 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

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
Boron trifluoride compound with methyl ether (1:1); [Boron, trifluoro [oxybis (methane)]-,T-4-] 353-42-4 1.00 % 15000 pounds toxic

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names