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Chemical Datasheet

PHOSPHORUS PENTASULFIDE, FREE FROM YELLOW AND WHITE PHOSPHORUS

4.3 - Dangerous when wet 4.1 - Flammable solid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 1314-80-3
  • 1340
  • Dangerous When Wet
  • Flammable Solid
  • PPP
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Phosphorus pentasulfide
  • PHOSPHORUS PENTASULFIDE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
1
2 2
W
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 1 Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 2 Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special W Reacts violently or explosively with water.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A greenish yellow solid with an odor of rotten eggs that may paralyze the sense of smell at hazardous concentrations in air. Density 2.04 g / cm3. It is used for making lube oil additives, insecticides, flotation agents, safety matches, blown asphalt, and other products and chemicals.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Combustible solid. This material reacts with water to generate the highly toxic and flammable gas hydrogen sulfide, which may be ignited spontaneously by the heat of reaction. Phosphoric acid is also produced [NFPA, 2010]. See the chemical datasheet for Hydrogen Sulfide for more information. May heat and spontaneously ignite in presence of moisture [Haz. Chem. Data. 1969]. Dangerous when wet.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Products of combustion include sulfur dioxide and phosphorus pentoxide, which are irritating, toxic and corrosive. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Hydrogen sulfide gas formed by reaction with moisture can cause death by respiratory failure. The gas also irritates eyes and respiratory system. The solid irritates skin and eyes; the symptoms may be delayed several hours. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
PHOSPHORUS PENTASULFIDE reacts vigorously with strong oxidants. Exothermically violent decomposition reaction with water, steam or acids to produce irritating fumes of phosphorus pentaoxide and highly toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. May ignite in contact with limited amounts of water [Haz. Chem. Data, 1975, p. 239]. Can be ignited by sparks or friction and its dust presents an explosion hazard in air at sufficient concentrations. Hydrogen sulfide gas evolved from reactions with water may also form explosive mixtures with air.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [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 1340 datasheet.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable and Toxic Gases)]:

DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM. (FOAM MAY BE USED FOR CHLOROSILANES, SEE BELOW).

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.

LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. FOR CHLOROSILANES, DO NOT USE WATER; use alcohol-resistant foam; DO NOT USE dry chemicals, soda ash or lime on chlorosilane fires (large or small) as they may release large quantities of hydrogen gas that may explode. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY 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 get water inside containers. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 139 [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 alcohol-resistant 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, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Phosphorus pentasulfide:

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 OR CONTAMINATED - Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises. (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Phosphorus pentasulfide:

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: DUST OFF SOLID; WATER FLUSH - If this solid chemical contacts the skin, dust it off immediately and then flush the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical or liquids containing this chemical penetrate the clothing, promptly remove the clothing and flush the skin with water. Get medical attention immediately.

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, 2024)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • P4S10
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: 288°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: 527°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: 1 mmHg at 572°F (NIOSH, 2024)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 2.03 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 957°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 222.27 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: Reacts with water (NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 250 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)

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
Phosphorus pentasulfide (1314-80-3) 3 mg/m3 130 mg/m3 750 mg/m3
(DOE, 2024)

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
Sulfur phosphide 1314-80-3 100 pounds U189

(EPA List of Lists, 2024)

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
Phosphorus pentasulfide 1314-80-3 ACG APA sabotage/ contamination

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names