Product Name: Tetraethylammonium Hydroxide
Chemical Formula: (C2H5)4NOH
Common Synonyms: TEA Hydroxide, TEAOH
CAS Number: 77-98-5
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, synthesis, electronics chemical etching
Supplier: Industrial chemical suppliers, laboratory distributors
Emergency Phone Number: Available by chemical manufacturer and local authorities
GHS Classification: Corrosive to skin (Category 1A), Serious eye damage (Category 1), Acute toxicity oral (Category 3)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, Harmful if swallowed, May cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing mist/vapors, Wear protective gloves/clothing/eye protection/face protection, Wash exposed skin thoroughly after handling, Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area, Store in tightly closed container
Other Hazards: Strongly alkaline, May emit toxic fumes under fire conditions, Risk of environmental contamination via water or soil if spilled
Chemical Name: Tetraethylammonium Hydroxide
Concentration: Ranges vary, typically 10-40% in aqueous solution
CAS Number: 77-98-5
Impurities: May include trace amounts of triethylamine or ethyl alcohol, which influence handling precautions
Other Components: Water serves as solvent for the majority of commercial applications
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, Seek immediate medical attention, Provide oxygen if breathing becomes difficult
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, Rinse affected areas with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, Immediate medical attention is required for burns or signs of persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for several minutes, Remove contact lenses if present and easy, Keep rinsing, Immediate medical attention is required
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, Do not induce vomiting, Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, Seek immediate medical attention
Notes for Doctors: Management of exposure includes symptomatic and supportive care, Monitor for respiratory complications and severe mucosal injury
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide
Hazardous Combustion Products: Combustion or decomposition releases nitrogen oxides, ethyl compounds, and potentially ammonia
Specific Risks: Chemical attacks some metals, generating hydrogen gas that could ignite
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Self-contained breathing apparatus, complete chemical protection clothing, gloves, and eye/face shield
Firefighting Instructions: Keep containers cool with water spray, Prevent runoff from entering drains or water sources
Personal Precautions: Avoid inhalation, skin, or eye contact with the material, Use appropriate personal protective equipment including goggles, gloves, and impermeable clothing
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering sewers, watercourses, or soil, Notify authorities if environmental contamination is likely
Containment Methods: Absorb using inert material (sand, earth), Neutralize with dilute hydrochloric acid or other neutralizing agents
Cleanup Procedures: Dispose of collected material according to local regulations, Ensure adequate ventilation during cleanup, Wash area with water after removal
Precautions for Safe Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, Use splash-proof equipment and minimize aerosol generation, Avoid unintended mixing with acids, oxidizers, or combustibles
Storage Conditions: Store tightly closed in a corrosion-resistant container with resistant lining, Avoid exposure to moisture, Keep away from incompatible substances such as acids, Store away from heat sources, flame, and direct sunlight
Storage Location: Secure in cool, well-ventilated chemical storage cabinets or dedicated rooms designed for strong bases
Exposure Limits: No established OSHA or ACGIH occupational limits for TEA Hydroxide, Minimize exposure as low as possible
Engineering Controls: Use local or general exhaust ventilation, Use fume hoods in laboratory settings
Personal Protection Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, Face shield for large volumes, Rubber or nitrile gloves (resistant), Laboratory coat or coveralls, Appropriate footwear, Respiratory protection in case of inadequate ventilation or accidental release
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow liquid (aqueous solution)
Odor: Mild, ammoniacal
pH: Strongly alkaline, typically above 13 (for concentrated solution)
Melting Point: Not applicable for solution, Solid form melts near 275°C
Boiling Point: Water component boils at 100°C; concentrate decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Highly soluble in water, miscible in alcohol
Vapor Pressure: Similar to water in dilute solutions
Viscosity: Slightly more viscous than water, concentration dependent
Flammability: Non-flammable but may support fire in certain conditions
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions, Sensitive to carbon dioxide from air which can neutralize alkalinity
Reactivity: Reacts strongly with acids forming heat and tetraethylammonium salts; Attacks aluminum, zinc, and some alloys producing hydrogen gas
Hazardous Reactions: Vigorous reaction with reducing agents, reactive metals
Decomposition: Under heat, breaks down to nitrogen oxides, ethylamines, traces of TEA halides
Incompatible Materials: Acids, oxidizers, reducing agents, certain metals (zinc, aluminum)
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Effects: Severe burns to mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach if swallowed, Pulmonary irritation and possible edema if inhaled, Corrosive damage to skin and eyes
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis, potential liver and kidney effects in severe or repeated exposures
Toxicity Data: Oral rat LD50: around 45 mg/kg (for 25% solution), Higher concentrations increase risk of severe injury or death
Signs and Symptoms: Cough, shortness of breath, severe pain, redness, blistering or tissue destruction on contact sites
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by major agencies
Sensitization: No reliable data indicating skin or respiratory sensitization
Aquatic Toxicity: Strongly toxic to aquatic organisms due to high pH, Rapid increase in water pH can cause fish kills and disrupt aquatic ecosystems
Persistence and Degradability: Not biodegradable, Cation component persists in environmental compartments
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low, but equilibrium partitioning could influence bioavailability
Mobility in Soil: High, especially when spilled with water, Risk of groundwater contamination
Other Adverse Effects: Significant environmental hazard if released in quantity, chemical burn risk to all forms of biota
Disposal Methods: Neutralize with dilute acid under controlled conditions, Absorb with inert material, Dispose as hazardous waste in approved chemical landfill per country/local/provincial regulations
Container Disposal: Rinse and neutralize containers before discarding, Never reuse empty container without professional decontamination
Waste Code: Consult federal, local, and state hazardous waste regulations for proper codes and classification
Precautions: Avoid release to environment, Do not pour into drains or surface water
UN Number: 2674
Proper Shipping Name: Tetraethylammonium Hydroxide Solution
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: II (medium danger)
Labeling: Corrosive substance label required; Emergency Response Guide available
Additional Information: Transport in secure, upright container with resistant lining; Carry documentation and emergency contact for hazardous chemicals
US TSCA: Listed
EU REACH: Registered under appropriate use categories
Hazard Communication: OSHA Hazard Communication Standard covers TEA Hydroxide as hazardous chemical
WHMIS (Canada): Classified as corrosive material
Other Local Controls: Covered under relevant local regulations and chemical management frameworks in most countries
Workplace Control: Applies to safety data sheet requirements, training, chemical inventory maintenance, labeling, and risk assessment in the workplace
