Section
10: Chemical Specific Information
Phosphorus
Trichloride
Overview
Phosphorus trichloride (phosphorus chloride, KCl3) is a colorless fuming liquid that reacts violently
with water to liberate phosphoric acid and hydrogen chloride (HCL) gas. KCl3 is a strong oxidizer and will readily react with many organic compounds. The liquid and its byproduct are both highly corrosive
to eyes, skin and mucous membranes.
Emergency Procedures
Skin Contact: Causes severe burnes with local pain and redness. Rinse with copious amounts of water
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention as needed. Thoroughly
clean contaminated clothing and shoes before reuse or discard.
Eye Contact: Causes severe burnes with local pain and blurred vision. Irreversible damage can occur from vapors and liquid contact. Rinse with copious amounts of water
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention immediately.
Ingestion:
Adominal pain, vomiting. Ingestion can be fatal. Do not induce vomiting. Drink 2-3 glasses of water and seek medical
attention immediately.
Inhalation:
Extremely destructive to tissues of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. Symptoms may include burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, nausea and vomiting. Move to fresh air and seek medical attention immediately.
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
Upon contact with water or heat, KCl3 produces an exothermic reaction involving release
of
acid gases.Wear safety glasses, impervious gloves and a fire-retardant laboratory
coat.
Control ignition sources and 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 KCl3 will be used, work in dry surroundings, such as in a glove box. Avoid
contact with water and humid environments.
AlCl3 is incompatible with most organic reagents, hydrated reagents, alkali earth metals, strong oxidizers and caustics, lead dioxide, flourine, and a wide variety of other materials. KCl3 will corrode most transition metals particularly in the presence of moisture.
Do not heat KCl3 without proper containment for generated hydrochloric and phosphoric acid vapors. Reagent may form phosphine and diphosphine gases by thermal decomposition.
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 MSDS for Phosphorus Trichloride.
 Section
10: Chemical Specific Information
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