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Name: Triethylborane
Chemical Formula: C6H15B
Common Uses: Ignition source for jet engines, chemical synthesis, polymerization initiators
Typical Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Common Smell: Pungent, may remind some of an ether-like odor
CAS Number: 97-94-9
Common Synonyms: Triethylboron, TEB
Flammability: Highly flammable liquid and vapor, can ignite spontaneously in air
Health Hazard: Causes severe burns; skin, eyes, respiratory tract at most risk
Environmental Hazard: Toxic to aquatic life, risk of long-term effects in water bodies
Other Hazards: Vapor density heavier than air, pooling vapors present explosion risks in confined spaces
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; avoid breathing fumes or contact with skin and eyes; strict control of sources of ignition
Component: Triethylborane
Concentration: Typically 100%
Impurities: Trace hydrocarbons and boron-containing byproducts during manufacturing, sometimes appear and should not be ignored during safe handling
Physical State: Liquid at standard room temperature
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air at once, avoid direct exposure yourself, get medical help quickly for any breathing difficulty
Skin Contact: Wash exposed area thoroughly with copious water, remove contaminated clothing immediately, medical attention recommended for burns or pain
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes right away and keep rinsing for at least fifteen minutes, urgent medical attention needed
Ingestion: Never induce vomiting, rinse mouth, seek hospital care urgently, as burns in digestive tract can occur
General Measures: Always ensure the area is ventilated before attempting rescue; no mouth-to-mouth on someone exposed
Suitable Extinguishing Agents: Dry powder extinguishers work best, as water can make the situation worse; carbon dioxide may help but may not cut it for larger incidents
Special Hazards: Burns fiercely with white flame, reacts violently with water, releases flammable gases
Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gear, positive-pressure breathing apparatus required; never allow skin contact
Advice for Firefighters: Stay upwind, avoid runoff from fire control as it can ignite elsewhere, avoid direct water spray on liquid
Personal Precautions: Wear full protective clothing, shut down ignition sources, ventilate area, no untrained persons nearby
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains or waterways; dike spilled material using non-combustible absorbents like sand or vermiculite
Method for Clean Up: Use spark-proof tools, absorb with inert material, scoop up carefully, keep in tight-sealed container for disposal
Other Considerations: Consider risks in confined or low areas since vapors can accumulate
Handling: Always ground equipment, avoid all sources of ignition, use only in a chemical fume hood or engineered enclosure, no open flames, smoking, or sparks in the area
Containment: Keep container tightly closed, use dry nitrogen or argon as blanket gas
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from incompatible substances like acids, alcohols, oxidizers, and especially water
Segregation: Store away from general population and high-traffic areas, secure dedicated space for flammable or pyrophoric chemicals
Workplace Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, explosion-proof electrical installations, and gas detectors
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, flame-retardant clothing, full face shield, and approved respirator if exposure risk exists
Hygiene Practices: Wash exposed skin before eating, smoking, or using restrooms; shower after handling
Exposure Limits: No recognized occupational exposure limit for triethylborane; best to treat as highly hazardous and minimize exposure
Appearance: Clear, mobile liquid
Odor: Pungent
Boiling Point: About 95°C (203°F)
Melting Point: Below –115°C (–175°F)
Flash Point: Less than –20°C (below –4°F)
Vapor Pressure: Moderate at room temperature, contributing to quick spread of vapor through any leaks
Solubility: Insoluble in water, reacts vigorously; soluble in organic solvents—this plays a role in industrial spills or accidents
Stability: Highly unstable in air or water, stable under nitrogen or argon
Chemical Reactivity: Reacts violently with water, oxidizers, halogenated hydrocarbons
Thermal Decomposition: Releases highly flammable gases, boron oxides when burning
Conditions to Avoid: Air exposure, heat, moisture, and incompatible materials
Incompatible Materials: Water, acids, strong oxidizers, alcohols, peroxides
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not occur, but accidental contact with many chemicals can cause flash fires or explosions
Routes of Exposure: Skin, eyes, inhalation, accidental ingestion
Acute Effects: Causes severe irritation, blistering, chemical burns; exposure to vapor can inflame lungs, choking sensation
Long-Term Effects: Chronic breathing problems, possible scarring from burns
Symptoms of Exposure: Burning pain, red and inflamed skin or eyes, cough, chest tightness
Carcinogenicity: Not currently classified as a human carcinogen, but research on long-term effects remains sparse
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: High; acute exposure proves harmful to fish, invertebrates, and plants
Persistence/Degradability: Breaks down rapidly in air, can cause localized pH changes and toxicity to aquatic environments if released
Bioaccumulation: Limited data, but rapid breakdown means bioaccumulation unlikely
Special Concerns: Spills travel quickly over water, vaporize, or ignite; surface contamination after fire or release just devastates nearby ecosystems
Residue Handling: Deactivate with special procedures before disposal; never pour down drain or into open environment
Approved Methods: Incineration in chemical waste facility with appropriate scrubbing of off-gases
Container Disposal: Triple rinse, puncture, keep out of general refuse; treat empty drums as hazardous
Legal Obligations: Follow local, national regulations on hazardous waste, document removal and treatment
UN Number and Classification: Dangerous goods marking required, falls under flammable liquid, pyrophoric liquid
Transport Category: Highest risk class for land, sea, or air transport
Packing Requirements: Use official flammable liquid packaging only, air-tight, shock-resistant, protected from sun and heat
Special Precautions: Emergency procedures need to be ready, all handlers trained in fire and chemical spill response; labeling must match all international hazardous transport codes
Fire Code: Strict regulations require exclusive storage, documentation, proof of staff training
Workplace Law: Occupational safety agencies mandate written risk assessment and exposure controls
Environmental Compliance: Spills, releases, and large-scale use must be reported to environmental authorities; improper management brings severe fines
Labelling: Legally enforceable warning labels and hazard pictograms on all containers, including even research quantities
