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Product Name: Alkyllithium
Synonyms: n-Butyllithium, sec-Butyllithium, tert-Butyllithium, Methyllithium, Ethyllithium
Chemical Formula: RLi where R = alkyl group (methyl, ethyl, butyl, etc.)
Recommended Use: Chemical synthesis, initiator in polymerization, organometallic reagent
Manufacturer/Supplier: Multiple specialty chemical suppliers and industry manufacturers
Emergency Contact: Local emergency response center or Poison Control, chemical product supplier’s emergency line
Classification: Pyrophoric liquid, highly flammable, corrosive, water-reactive
Hazard Statements: May ignite spontaneously in air. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption. Reacts violently with water and alcohols
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from air and moisture. Wear proper protective equipment at all times. Never handle outside inert atmosphere. Avoid breathing vapors or fumes. Evacuate area if released.
Inhalation: Toxic vapors irritate or damage nasal passages and lungs. Risk of respiratory failure.
Skin/Eye Contact: Burns, blisters, lasting damage.
Main Ingredient: Alkyllithium compound (various types)
Chemical Identity: RLi (methyl-, ethyl-, n-butyl-, sec-butyl-, tert-butyl-, cyclohexyl-, etc.)
CAS Numbers: n-Butyllithium (109-72-8), sec-Butyllithium (598-30-1), tert-Butyllithium (594-19-4), Methyllithium (917-54-4), Ethyllithium (917-54-4), Cyclohexyllithium (>.99%)
Typical Content: 10-50% in organic solvent (hexane, pentane, cyclohexane)
Solvent: Aliphatic hydrocarbon (hexanes, heptanes), low aromatic content
General Guidance: Get emergency medical attention immediately for any exposure.
Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air. Keep warm and at rest. Provide oxygen if breathing is difficult. Artificial respiration if not breathing.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Flush skin with copious water for at least 15 minutes. Do not attempt to neutralize. Seek urgent medical evaluation.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with plenty of water for at least 20 minutes. Remove contact lenses. Do not rub eyes. Transport to emergency care right away.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Give water if conscious, only if professional instructs. Immediate hospital transfer needed.
Note for Rescuers: Avoid direct contact. Wear gloves, goggles, and face shield.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder (Class D), special metal fire extinguishers. Do not use water, CO₂, or foam—violent reaction likely.
Hazards from Combustion: Dense white smoke, heat, toxic lithium oxides and organic byproducts. Vapors ignite in air without spark.
Special Equipment: Full-body chemical resistant suit, breathing apparatus for fire crew.
Firefighting Procedures: Isolate area; evacuate unnecessary personnel. Cool nearby containers with dry sand. Prevent run-off from reaching drains.
Explosion Risk: Containers rupture and explode from heat and pressure build-up.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential people. Keep upwind. Avoid breathing fumes or handling chemicals without full gear.
Protective Equipment: Chemical resistant gloves, fully enclosed suit, eye and face protection, supplied-air respirator.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent leakage to watercourses or drains. Notify authority if contaminated water.
Spill Cleanup: Absorb spill using dry sand or inert absorbent. Do not use water or combustible material.
Small Leaks: Inert atmosphere needed; sweep up and place in steel container under dry inert gas.
Disposal: Consult hazardous waste contractor.
Safe Handling: Work only inside fume hood or glove box filled with dry, inert gas (nitrogen or argon). Transfer under inert atmosphere. Avoid breathing vapors and skin contact.
Incompatible Materials: Water, alcohol, acids, carbon dioxide, oxidizing substances.
Storage Conditions: Store away from air and moisture, tightly sealed, under argon or nitrogen. Use flame-proof, spark-free equipment. Temperature typically 2-8°C (refrigerated), avoid freezing.
Other Precautions: Keep away from ignition sources, sparks, open flames. Label containers clearly. Maintain spill kit and extinguishing agent nearby.
Container Requirements: Dry, airtight glass or PTFE-lined metal, never plastic. Inspect containers regularly for corrosion or leaks.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established TLV for lithium alkyls. Use strict exposure control measures.
Engineering Controls: Fume hood with explosion-proof ventilation, glove box with inert gas, sealed systems.
Personal Protective Equipment: Neoprene or nitrile gloves, flame-retardant suit, full face shield, chemical goggles, respiratory protection (self-contained breathing apparatus or supplied-air respirator).
Hygiene Measures: Change clothing after use, wash exposed skin with soap and water.
Appearance: Oily, colorless to pale yellow liquid, pungent odor
Odor: Strong, irritating
Boiling Point: 25–125°C depending on alkyl group and solvent
Melting Point: Variable, usually below 0°C
Flash Point: Below room temperature, highly flammable
Solubility: Soluble in organic solvents (hexane, cyclohexane, ether); reacts violently with water
Vapor Pressure: Moderate to high depending on solvent
Density: 0.6–0.9 g/cm³ (mixture dependent)
Auto-ignition Temperature: Spontaneously ignites in air
Reactivity with Water: Violent with hydrogen release and fire risk
Chemical Stability: Stable only under dry, inert conditions. Contact with air or moisture causes decomposition and combustion.
Hazardous Reaction: Violent reaction with water, acids, alcohols, oxidizing agents.
Decomposition Products: Lithium hydroxide, organic residues, hydrogen gas.
Incompatible Materials: Avoid halogenated solvents, carbon dioxide, acid chlorides.
Polymerization: Does not polymerize.
Acute Toxicity: Ingestion or inhalation can be fatal. Toxic by skin absorption. Severe burns on contact.
Effects from Exposure: Burns, scarring, tissue damage, respiratory distress, pneumonia, systemic toxicity.
Chronic Effects: Potential kidney, liver, or nervous system impacts after repeated exposure.
Symptoms: Burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, nausea.
Target Organs: Respiratory tract, skin, eyes, mucous membranes.
Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic and soil organisms. Reacts violently with water, causing strong pH shifts and heat.
Persistence and Degradability: Not persistent; rapid hydrolysis in environment.
Mobility in Soil: Binds rapidly, alters soil chemistry.
Bioaccumulation: Not likely to bioaccumulate due to fast reactivity and degradation.
Other Harmful Effects: Fire, rapid increase in pH, release of flammable hydrogen gas on contact with water.
Disposal Methods: Do not pour into drains or the environment. Only allow disposal by licensed hazardous waste contractor. Do not attempt neutralization with water.
Container Handling: Triple rinse with dry compatible solvent. Leave open and allow residual vapors to evaporate under inert gas before disposal.
Incineration: Must follow strict permit requirements; only for qualified facilities capable of handling pyrophoric waste.
Local Regulations: Must follow local, regional, and national waste disposal guidelines.
UN Number: 3394 (n-Butyllithium), others vary by alkyl group
Transport Hazard Class: 4.3 (Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases), 4.2 (Spontaneously combustible)
Packing Group: I (highest danger)
Labels Required: Flammable liquid, pyrophoric, water reactive
Special Transport Notes: Protect from air and water during transport. Use approved metal drums with inert gas blanketing. Emergency response guidebook number: 138.
Regulatory Transport Codes: IMDG, IATA, ADR restrictions apply globally.
International Regulation: Covered by UN Dangerous Goods Code, REACH (Europe), TSCA (USA), WHMIS (Canada), and similar regulations worldwide.
OSHA Status: Classified as hazardous. Reportable under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
SARA Title III: Extremely hazardous. Immediate notification required for large spills or releases.
EPA: Listed as hazardous waste.
State-specific Rules: Separate lists for California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania Right to Know.
Labeling Requirements: Correct hazard and safety symbols with chemical name and supplier details. Emergency instructions on label required.
