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Chemical Name: Potassium Borohydride
Synonyms: Potassium tetrahydroborate
Chemical Formula: KBH4
Appearance: White to grayish crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Uses: Reducing agent in chemical synthesis, pharmaceuticals, and specialty organic compounds
CAS Number: 13762-51-1
GHS Classification: Flammable solid, water reactive, causes severe skin burns, serious eye damage
Main Hazards: Reacts violently with water, risk of fire and explosion, releases flammable hydrogen gas, corrosive to skin and eyes, breathing dust may damage the respiratory tract
Pictogram Descriptions: Flame, corrosion, exclamation mark
Signal Word: Danger
Long-Term Risks: Chemical burns, chronic respiratory or eye injury without proper controls
Component: Potassium Borohydride
Concentration: Pure substance, not a mixture
Eye Contact: Flush eyes for several minutes using plenty of clean water. Remove contact lenses if present. Seek medical attention without delay.
Skin Contact: Rinse affected area with water for at least fifteen minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately. Administer oxygen if breathing becomes difficult. Call for medical help if symptoms persist.
Ingestion: Don’t induce vomiting. Rinse mouth with water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical or dry sand. Do not use water or foam—contact with water releases flammable hydrogen gas.
Fire Hazards: Hydrogen gas can ignite easily leading to explosion in closed spaces.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear.
Additional Precautions: Avoid disturbing the material, limit water contact in all forms.
Personal Precautions: Keep unprotected people away. Use appropriate personal protective equipment to avoid exposure.
Spill Control: Sweep up material using non-sparking tools. Place in a dry, airtight container. Do not allow entry of water.
Ventilation: Ensure area has adequate airflow.
Disposal: Dispose of collected material according to chemical waste regulations. Strict segregation from acids, water, and oxidizers matters to prevent unintended reactions.
Handling: Pour and measure in dry areas, away from any moisture or water. Avoid breathing dust. Never handle with wet gloves or tools.
Storage: Store in a tightly closed container, kept dry and away from all water sources. Secure storage locations from unauthorized access. Separate from acids, oxidizers, and combustibles. Tanks or drums must be clearly marked with hazard warnings.
Engineering Controls: Work under fume hoods or local exhaust systems. Keep dust levels below recommended thresholds.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical goggles and a face shield. Use nitrile, neoprene, or rubber gloves. Select a long-sleeved lab coat or coveralls. For large amounts, use respiratory protection rated for toxic dust and gas.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after use. Change contaminated clothing promptly.
Physical State: Crystalline powder
Color: Typically white, sometimes grayish
Odor: No detectable odor
Melting Point: Decomposes before melting
Solubility: Reacts with water, soluble in some organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Not relevant at ambient conditions
Density: 1.13 g/cm³
pH: Strongly alkaline in reaction with water
Chemical Stability: Unstable in presence of water and acids. Stable if kept dry, away from open air.
Incompatible Materials: Acids, alcohols, oxidizing agents, water, and any damp materials.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen gas, borates, and potassium compounds.
Reactivity: Vigorous reaction with water, can cause fire or explosion.
Routes of Exposure: Eye contact, skin contact, inhalation, ingestion.
Acute Effects: Causes chemical burns on skin and eyes, respiratory irritation if inhaled, can damage digestive tissues if swallowed.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure could cause permanent injury to eyes, skin, or respiratory system.
Sensitization: Not known to cause sensitization, but repeated exposure is strongly discouraged.
Carcinogenicity and Mutagenicity: Data on long-term cancer or genetic risks remains very limited, always side with caution.
Environmental Impact: Harmful to aquatic life from alkalinity and boron content. Escaped material alters water chemistry quickly.
Persistence and Degradability: Reacts and breaks down in the environment, but byproducts may remain hazardous.
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely to build up in organisms, but contamination harms both flora and fauna.
Soil and Water Systems: Strictly keep potassium borohydride out of natural waters and soils to limit ecological fallout.
Methods: Collect uncontaminated material for recycling or reuse if possible. Treat as hazardous waste—never dump down drains or in regular trash.
Precautions: Neutralize with caution using dilute acid under controlled conditions, then handle resulting residues according to local hazardous waste rules.
Environmental Responsibility: Waste must go to specialized chemical disposal facilities.
UN Number: Classified as a dangerous good
Proper Shipping Name: Potassium borohydride
Hazard Class: Flammable solid, water reactive
Packaging Requirements: Secure, sealed containers that stay dry, with clear hazard labeling
Transport Notes: Keep shipment documentation on hand; drivers and handlers need to recognize potassium borohydride’s dangers in transit.
Emergency Response: Responders must know to keep water away and ventilate any spilled product location.
Regulatory Status: Potassium borohydride appears on many national hazardous substance inventories.
Worker Protection: Regulations demand specialized training and adequate personal protective equipment.
Reporting: Larger uses or spills often trigger mandatory reporting to state and federal agencies.
Community Right-To-Know: Facilities using potassium borohydride usually have to share safety data with employees and local emergency services.
Restrictions: Limits on who can transport, handle, and dispose of this chemical follow directly from its hazards and accident history.
