© 2026 Sinochem Nanjing Corporation,
All Right Reserved
Product Name: Tetrabutylphosphonium Hydroxide
Chemical Formula: C16H37OP
CAS Number: 220689-08-9
Recommended Uses: Industrial chemical, phase transfer catalyst, ionic liquid precursor
Manufacturer Contact: Refer to product label for supplier and emergency contact details
Synonyms: Tri-n-butylphosphonium hydroxide, TBPOH, TBP Hydroxide
UN Number: Consult transport regulations for classification
Product Description: Clear or slightly yellow liquid, strong base
GHS Classification: Corrosive to skin (Category 1B), Causes serious eye damage (Category 1), Harmful if swallowed (Category 4)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Pictograms: Corrosive, Exclamation Mark
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; Harmful if swallowed
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation and contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; Wear protective equipment
Other Hazards: Reacts with strong oxidizers, may release hazardous gases
Target Organs: Skin, eyes, mucous membranes
Potential Health Effects: Irritant to respiratory tract, burns on contact, possible systemic toxicity
Chemical Name: Tetrabutylphosphonium Hydroxide
CAS Number: 220689-08-9
Concentration: Typically 40–50% in water solution
Impurities: Trace phosphonium salts, water
Safety Data: No additives or stabilizers in standard solutions
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, monitor breathing, seek medical attention promptly
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with copious amounts of water, get medical help if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse with slow gentle stream of water for at least 15 minutes, keep eyelids open, obtain immediate medical aid
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, never induce vomiting, provide medical attention urgently
Notes for Physician: Treat symptomatically, consider effects from caustic burns, risk of systemic toxicity
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, powder, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jets
Specific Hazards: Releases toxic fumes of phosphorous oxides and butylene under high heat
Protective Equipment: Full-body fire suit, self-contained breathing apparatus
Firefighting Procedures: Approach from upwind, keep containers cool by spraying water, avoid runoff into drains
Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, organophosphorus compounds
Personal Precautions: Wear chemical goggles, gloves, protective clothing, ensure adequate ventilation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe, block entry into drains, surface waters, or soil
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with inert material (sand, diatomaceous earth); collect residue for hazardous waste disposal, clean area with copious water
Methods for Handling Spillage: Neutralize with dilute acid under controlled conditions, ventilate enclosed areas
Contamination risks: Avoid runoff, contain and report significant spills to authorities
Safe Handling: Avoid inhalation of vapors, prevent contact with skin and eyes, use in fume hood
Equipment Care: Use corrosion-resistant dedicated containers, check closures for integrity
Storage Conditions: Store tightly sealed at 2–8°C, away from heat sources and direct sunlight, separate from acids and oxidizers
Incompatibilities: Acids, reactive metals, strong oxidants
Transfer Precautions: Ground and bond containers when transferring
Specific Storage Rules: Keep away from food and drink, label all storage vessels
Occupational Exposure Limit: None established specifically for tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide
Engineering Controls: Use well-ventilated workstations, fume hoods, ensure eyewash and safety shower stations are available
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), safety goggles, face protection, full-length labcoat or apron, closed footwear
Respiratory Protection: Suitable respirator in case of inadequate ventilation or high exposure risk
Hygiene Measures: No eating, drinking, or smoking in handling area, wash hands thoroughly after handling
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Slightly amine-like
pH: Strongly basic, pH > 13 (aqueous solution)
Melting Point: Not well defined, tends to remain liquid at room temperature
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Not applicable in aqueous solution
Solubility: Miscible with water and most polar solvents
Density: Approximately 0.95–1.05 g/cm³ (depends on concentration)
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Viscosity: Moderate to high depending on concentration
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Highly basic, can react violently with acids, strong oxidizers, some metals
Decomposition: Decomposes on heating, releasing phosphorous oxides and hydrocarbons
Hazardous Reactions: Violent exothermic reaction with incompatible materials
Avoid: Heat, sparks, flames, incompatible substances
Acute Toxicity: Causes severe irritation or burns to skin, eyes, mucous membranes; harmful if swallowed
Routes of Entry: Skin, eyes, inhalation, ingestion
Symptoms: Redness, pain, blistering, eye damage, throat and respiratory distress, stomach pain, vomiting
Chronic Effects: No well-documented chronic toxicity in humans, though repeated overexposure can damage tissues
Sensitization: Not expected to produce allergy
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic
Mutagenicity: No data available
Developmental Effects: No relevant data
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms due to high pH, risk of long-lasting harmful effects
Persistence and Degradability: No rapid biodegradation; stable under most environmental conditions
Bioaccumulation Potential: Not expected to biomagnify, low log Kow
Mobility in Soil: Likely to leach into soil and water, especially at spill sites
Other Adverse Effects: Alters local pH balance, impacts aquatic species and plant growth negatively
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of as hazardous waste according to local, regional, and national regulations; neutralize cautiously with dilute acid before disposal if permitted
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers with water before discarding; avoid dumping into drains
Contaminated Packaging: Treat containers and absorbents as hazardous waste
Special Precautions: Check with local environmental or waste management agency
UN Number: May not be assigned for aqueous solutions, but consult relevant chemical and transport authorities
Transport Hazard Class: Corrosive liquids, may fall under Class 8 (Corrosives)
Packing Group: II or III depending on concentration and jurisdiction
Proper Shipping Name: Tetrabutylphosphonium Hydroxide Solution
Environmental Hazards: Caution for aquatic environment
Special Transport Notes: Secure all containers, separate from acids and foodstuffs during transit, transport in compliance with ADR/RID/IMDG/IATA
Safety, Health and Environmental Regulations: Subject to chemical inventory and hazard communication standards nationally and internationally
OSHA: Regulated as a hazardous chemical under OSHA’s Hazard Communications Standard, US
WHMIS: Controlled product, Canada
REACH Status: Registered or pre-registered under European Union REACH regulation
Labeling Requirements: Complies with GHS labeling standards—HC code, hazard pictograms, signal words, and hazard/precautionary statements
Inventory Listings: Verify with TSCA, DSL, EINECS and other national chemical inventories
Specific National Requirements: Additional reporting, storage, or transport controls may apply, consult local authorities
