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Chemical Name: Sulfur Tetrafluoride
Synonyms: Sulfur(IV) fluoride, SF4
CAS Number: 7783-60-0
Recommended Use: Used as a fluorinating agent in organic chemistry, especially for converting carbonyl compounds into corresponding difluorides
Manufacturer: Reputable chemical suppliers who conform to established safety guidelines
Emergency Contact: Check local and supplier emergency numbers for chemical spills and poison control
UN Number: UN2418
Hazard Class: Toxic gas, Corrosive, Greenhouse gas
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Inhalation), Category 2; Skin Corrosion, Category 1B; Eye Damage, Category 1
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Fatal if inhaled, Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, May cause respiratory irritation
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, Corrosion
Precautionary Statements: Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area, Do not breathe gas, Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye/face protection
Chemical: Sulfur Tetrafluoride
Concentration: 100%
Impurities/Additives: May contain hydrolyzed byproducts including hydrogen fluoride if exposed to moisture
Molecular Formula: SF4
Molecular Weight: 108.06 g/mol
Inhalation: Immediately remove to fresh air, ensure breathing, administer oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek medical attention as soon as possible since pulmonary edema can develop
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, call for immediate medical help due to risk of severe burns
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, keep eyelids open, remove contact lenses if possible, seek emergency medical attention
Ingestion: Unlikely route of exposure given the substance is a gas at room temperature, but if exposure suspected, do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth and seek medical aid
Notes for Medical Personnel: Treat exposure as chemical burns, provide respiratory support, monitor for respiratory distress, beware of possible delayed onset of pulmonary complications
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide if safe to do so; do not use foam that may react with gas
Specific Hazards: Can release toxic and corrosive fumes including sulfur oxides and hydrogen fluoride on contact with moisture
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Special Procedures: Move containers from fire area if it can be done without risk; cool containers with water spray from a safe distance, avoid inhaling vapors or decomposition products
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate space, avoid breathing gas/vapors, use supplied-air or self-contained respiratory protection
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements, or confined areas
Methods for Cleanup: Gas leaks should be stopped at the source if safe; absorb small leaks using suitable chemical absorbent; ventilate area and monitor air before reentry
Decontamination: Wash contaminated zone with dilute acid solution followed by thorough water rinse, dispose of waste under local, regional, or national regulations
Reporting: Report significant releases to appropriate authorities
Safe Handling: Handle in closed systems under dry, inert gas; transfer using approved fluorine-resistant equipment; avoid contact with water or humid conditions
Storage Requirements: Store cylinders in tightly closed containers, in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from incompatible materials, segregated from acids, bases, and moisture
Incompatible Materials: Water, moisture, strong oxidizing agents, glass, some metals
Specific Practices: Employ secondary containment, use non-sparking tools, establish proper labeling and restricted access areas for storage
Training: Workers handling this material should be trained in safe use, emergency response, and have access to safety showers and eyewash stations
Occupational Exposure Limit: OSHA PEL: 0.1 ppm (0.45 mg/m3); ACGIH TLV: 0.1 ppm (ceiling value)
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or gas cabinets; employ gas detection and alarm systems for leaks
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, protective suit, face shield, safety goggles, use respirators approved for toxic gas where exposure limits may be exceeded
Hygiene Practices: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, clothing; wash thoroughly after handling; no eating, drinking or smoking in work area
Appearance: Colorless gas
Odor: Sharp, suffocating
Odor Threshold: Not available
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point: −121°C
Boiling Point: −38°C
Flash Point: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Rapid
Flammability: Non-flammable
Vapor Pressure: 3300 mm Hg at 21°C
Vapor Density: 3.73 (air = 1)
Solubility: Decomposes in water
Partition Coefficient: Not available
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable
Decomposition Products: Sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride
Viscosity: Not applicable
Chemical Stability: Stable under dry, inert atmosphere
Reactivity: Violent hydrolysis with water, decomposes rapidly forming toxic products, attacks glass and many metals
Hazardous Reactions: Reaction with acids or moisture releases toxic, corrosive gases
Incompatible Materials: Moist air, glass, metals, oxidizers
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen fluoride, sulfur oxides, sulfur dioxide
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to moisture, heat, mechanical shock
Acute Toxicity: LC50 (rat, inhalation): 0.15 ppm/4h; extremely toxic
Symptoms of Exposure: Severe irritation, chemical burns to respiratory tract, eyes, skin; delayed onset pulmonary edema
Chronic Exposure: Chronic or repeated exposure damages teeth, bones, respiratory system
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic
Sensitization: Not expected to cause sensitization
Reproductive Toxicity: No conclusive data, handle conservatively
Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic and terrestrial organisms due to formation of acids
Mobility in Soil: Gas can disperse quickly, but byproducts persist
Persistence and Degradability: Hydrolyzes rapidly, forming persistent toxic fluorides
Bioaccumulation: Not expected for SF4 itself, but fluoride ions may bioaccumulate
Other Hazards: Alters local pH, harms plants, aquatic life, and can contribute to acidification
Recommended Disposal Methods: Unused product and waste must be neutralized with alkaline scrubbing followed by destruction in permitted systems under expert supervision; do not release to environment
Contaminated Packaging: Empty cylinders should be returned to supplier for proper decontamination and reuse or recycled as per local agreements
Regulatory Disposal Requirements: Treat as hazardous waste under local, state, and federal laws
Additional Notes: Consult with licensed hazardous waste disposal contractor familiar with reactive gas handling
UN Number: UN2418
Proper Shipping Name: Sulfur Tetrafluoride
Transport Hazard Class: 2.3 (Toxic Gas)
Packing Group: Not applicable (gas)
Labeling Requirements: Toxic Gas, Corrosive
Special Transport Precautions: Ship only in authorized gas cylinders, secure upright, keep cool, segregate from incompatible substances, emergency response guides must accompany
Regulated Modes: All major international and domestic transport modes require special handling due to the acutely toxic and corrosive nature
OSHA: Regulated as hazardous material
EPA: Listed as hazardous air pollutant; TSCA inventory
DOT: Regulated as toxic gas; special packaging and handling
International: Included in UN dangerous goods list; subject to IATA/ICAO, IMO, ADR agreements
Right-to-Know Information: Listed under SARA Title III, California Proposition 65 (due to formation of hydrogen fluoride)
Other Requirements: Ensure all use, storage, and transport comply with applicable guidelines, employees informed and properly trained about hazards and first response
