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Chemical Name: Potassium tert-Butoxide
Molecular Formula: C4H9KO
Common Names: Tert-butylpotassium oxide, Potassium 2-methyl-2-propoxide
Physical State: White or off-white crystalline solid, sometimes appears as a powder. Often has a strong, sharp odor reminiscent of organic solvent smells.
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, base in organic synthesis; used often in the pharmaceutical industry for preparing various compounds.
Restrictions on Use: Not intended for household use or food preparation. Only trained personnel should handle this substance.
Hazard Classifications: Corrosive to skin and eyes, highly flammable, health hazard due to potential respiratory effects.
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns, serious eye damage; releases highly flammable gases on contact with water or moisture; inhalation of dust can damage mucous membranes in the nose and throat; toxic to aquatic life.
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Measures: Always avoid contact with water, prevent any skin, eye, or respiratory exposure, and prohibit inhalation or ingestion.
Main Ingredient: Potassium tert-Butoxide at purity levels near 99%
CAS Number: 865-47-4
Impurities: Small quantities of potassium hydroxide and hydrocarbons — levels vary by batch and packaging.
Inhalation: Take the person to fresh air immediately. Loosen tight clothing, monitor breathing, administer oxygen if available, and seek medical attention.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse affected area with copious running water for at least 20 minutes; do not attempt to neutralize with acids; call for emergency medical help.
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water or saline for a prolonged period; do not rub eyes, remove contact lenses if worn, and seek medical intervention immediately.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water if the victim is conscious, seek professional medical help right away; the substance is highly caustic to digestive organs.
Suitable Extinguishing Methods: Use dry chemical powder, dry soda ash, or Class D fire extinguishers. Keep water and CO2 extinguishers away.
Special Hazards: Releases highly flammable gases (isobutylene and hydrogen) if in contact with moisture or water, which may cause explosive reactions.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear chemical splash suits and full-face self-contained breathing apparatus; never use water to fight a potassium tert-butoxide fire.
Advice for Surroundings: Clear the area, maintain a safe distance, avoid inhaling smoke, and isolate spill if possible until fully extinguished.
Precautions: Ventilate the area, avoid breathing in dust, and prevent substance from entering drains or waterways.
Personal Protection: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, full-face shield, and a lab coat; use a respirator if dust generation is possible.
Containment: Collect spilled material with dry, non-sparking tools; do not use water, mop up with an inert dry absorbent like vermiculite or sand.
Cleanup: Place collected material into tight, dry, labeled containers for safe disposal.
Handling Procedures: Always handle under dry atmospheres, such as an inert gas glove box or desiccator; avoid breathing dust or fumes; keep away from sources of ignition.
Storage Requirements: Store only in tightly closed, moisture-resistant containers with adequate labeling; keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area isolated from acids, water, and oxidizing agents.
Incompatibilities: Never store with water, acids, or damp materials; also incompatible with halogenated hydrocarbons because of possible violent reactions.
Workplace Controls: Local exhaust ventilation and glove boxes are best for controlling exposure in labs; no OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit has been established, but minimize exposure as much as possible.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, face protection, rubber or nitrile gloves resistant to strong bases, impermeable lab apron, and respiratory protection if airborne dust forms.
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after use, do not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas, and do not touch mouth or eyes with contaminated gloves.
Appearance: White to off-white powder or crystalline solid
Odor: Pungent, sharp, reminiscent of strong organic bases
Melting Point: Ranges from 260 to 270 degrees Celsius
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Freely soluble in hydrocarbon solvents, decomposes violently in water
Flash Point: Reacts with water, so flash point not determined via standard methods
Vapor Pressure and Density: Low vapor pressure, relatively high density for an organic salt
Other Properties: Highly reactive with acids, forms flammable gases in moist air.
Chemical Stability: Stable in dry, inert conditions; absorbs water from air and decomposes rapidly in humid environments
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts extremely exothermically with water, acids, and halogenated hydrocarbons, liberating flammable or toxic gases
Materials to Avoid: Water, acids, oxidizers, halogenated solvents
Decomposition Products: Potassium hydroxide, isobutylene gas, and potentially hazardous fumes under fire or moisture exposure.
Acute Effects: Causes chemical burns to skin, eyes, and digestive tract; inhalation produces severe respiratory irritation or injury
Chronic Effects: Repeated or prolonged exposure may result in dermatitis or chronic eye injury
Ingestion Hazards: Severe pain, vomiting, possible damage to mouth, esophagus, and stomach
Eye Hazards: Permanent damage possible after brief contact
Toxicity Data: Complete toxicological profiles are limited, but similar caustic alkali substances have caused severe injuries; only trained professionals should work with this chemical.
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, especially from pH shift and caustic burn injuries
Environmental Fate: Reacts rapidly with water, forming potassium hydroxide and tert-butanol, both of which can harm aquatic systems
Persistence and Bioaccumulation: Unlikely to bioaccumulate, but alkaline breakdown products linger in water or soil
Other Environmental Hazards: Keep away from storm drains and open soil to prevent environmental contamination.
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of as hazardous waste in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations; never wash down drains or mix with incompatible waste streams
Container Disposal: Triple-rinse empty containers with a compatible solvent, then treat as hazardous waste; do not reuse for any other materials
Additional Guidance: Coordinate with licensed chemical waste handlers, document all disposals to maintain compliance and protect the community.
Proper Shipping Name: Potassium tert-Butoxide, Class 4.2 (Substances liable to spontaneous combustion)
Hazard Labeling: Flammable solid, corrosive, dangerous to the environment
Transport Precautions: Secure all packaging to prevent leaks or moisture exposure; segregate from acids, oxidizers, and flammable gases
Packaging Group: II (medium danger)
Special Handling: Emergency response instructions must be available to all transport staff; report spills immediately.
Workplace Regulation: Occupational safety agencies require specific training for all handlers; storage capped by maximum allowed quantities to reduce risk of a major incident
Labeling: Clear and compliant hazard labeling a legal necessity; warnings about water reactivity and corrosivity especially prominent
Environmental Control: Companies working with potassium tert-butoxide must submit risk assessments and mitigation strategies to authorities; additional restrictions may apply in areas near sensitive environments
Other Legal Requirements: Documentation of every use, transfer, or disposal step recommended in order to demonstrate compliance if inspected.
