Section
10: Chemical Specific Information
Anhydrous Aluminum
Chloride
Overview
Anhydrous aluminum chloride (aluminum trichloride, AlCl3) is an odorless, white or yellow crystalline solid that reacts violently
with water to liberate hydrogen chloride (HCL) gas. AlCl3 will also sublime readily at 178 Celsius to yield hydrogen chloride gas. The solid and gas byproduct are both highly corrosive
to eyes, skin and mucous membranes. AlCl3 is not combustible; however, conventional ABC or BC fire
extinguishers should never be
used.
Emergency Procedures
Skin Contact: Brush
off any visible solids. Rinse with copious amounts of water
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention as needed. Thoroughly
clean contaminated clothing and shoes before reuse.
Ingestion:
Do not induce vomiting. Drink 2-3 glasses of water and seek medical
attention immediately.
All other exposures:
Follow regular Emergency Procedures guidelines
for eye exposure or inhalation. Seek medical attention as needed.
Fire: Use
Class D extinguisher, such as Met-L-X or smother the fire
with dry sand. Do not use water, carbon dioxide or halogenated
extinguishing agents.
Spill: Control
all sources of moisture. Wearing personal protective equipment,
cover the spill with sand. Scoop spilled materials with spark-resistant
tools and place in a container for disposal. DO NOT USE WATER.
Handling
Wear safety glasses, impervious gloves and a fire-retardant laboratory
coat.
Control ignition sources and avoid dust formation. Avoid contact with
water or moisture. Keep a supply of dry sand available in the
work area and ensure there is a Class D extinguisher immediately available.
When large quantities of AlCl3 will be used, work in dry surroundings, such as in a fume hood or glove box. Avoid
contact with water and humid environments.
AlCl3 is incompatible with hydrated reagents, strong oxidizers and caustics, alcohols, nitromethane, sodium oxide, ethylene oxide, and a wide variety of other materials. AlCl3 will corrode most transition metals.
Do not heat AlCl3 without proper containment for generated HCl vapors. Upon contact with water or heat, AlCl3 produces an exothermic reaction involving release
of
hydrogen chloride gas.
Storage
Store in tightly sealed containers in a cool dry place, separate from
combustible materials. Storage containers may pressurize if contaminated with water.
Disposal
Store wastes in tightly sealed containers. Dispose as hazardous
waste.
For More Information
See material safety data sheet from CHEMINFO
sheet from CCOHS.
 Section
10: Chemical Specific Information
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