IODINE PENTAFLUORIDE

A toxic colorless fuming liquid (m.p. 9°C). Decomposed by water to iodine and hydrofluoric acid. Contact with organic materials may cause their ignition. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Prolonged exposure of the container to fire or heat may result in their violent rupturing and rocketing. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health effects.

• Strong Oxidizing Agent
• Water-Reactive
• Air-Reactive

Fumes in air. Reaction with water or water-containing materials is violent, [Mellor 2, Supp. 1:176, 1956].

Based on a scenario where the chemical is spilled into an excess of water (at least 5 fold excess of water), half of the maximum theoretical yield of Hydrogen Fluoride gas will be created in 1.2 minutes. Experimental details are in the following: "Development of the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Distances for the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook", ANL/DIS-09-2, D.F. Brown, H.M. Hartmann, W.A. Freeman, and W.D. Haney, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, June 2009.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). React vigorously and/or explosively with water. Produce toxic and/or corrosive substances on contact with water. Flammable/toxic gases may accumulate in tanks and hopper cars. Some may produce flammable hydrogen gas upon contact with metals. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

TOXIC; inhalation or contact with vapor, substance, or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2024)

A powerful oxidizer. Attack glass. Reacts violently with water or strong bases (potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide). It chars and usually ignites organic matter. Contact with boron, silicon, red phosphorus, sulfur, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, molybdenum and tungsten causes incandescence. Contact with potassium or sodium leads to explosions. Causes aluminum (foil, powder) to ignite. Explosive reactions with tetraiodoethylene, diethylaminotrimethylsilane. Violent reactions with benzene, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetraiodoethylene [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1434]. IF5 reacts explosively with diethylaminotrimethylsilane even at low temperature. (Oates, G. et al., J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 1974, 1383).

• Oxidizing Agents, Strong
• Halogenating Agents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
• Expanded Polymeric Absorbents
• Dirt/Earth

Excerpt from ERG Guide 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

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 2495 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)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash or lime.

LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. 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. 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)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.

LARGE SPILL: DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

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, 2024)

No information available.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

Refer to the "General First Aid" section. Specific First Aid: Contaminated clothing may be a fire risk when dry. (ERG, 2024)

• IODINE PENTAFLUORIDE
• PENTAFLUOROIODINE