Product Name: Tetramethylammonium Fluoride
Synonyms: TMAF, Tetramethylazanium Fluoride
Chemical Formula: C4H12FN
CAS Number: 75-89-8
Recommended Use: Chemical synthesis, organofluorine production, analytical reagent
Manufacturer Contact: Chemical supplier or distributor, contact details available on shipment documentation
Emergency Contact: Local Poison Center, Emergency Response Hotline listed by the chemical provider
Classification: Acute Toxicity Oral (Category 3), Skin Corrosion/Irritation (Category 1B), Eye Damage (Category 1), Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single Exposure (Category 3, respiratory tract irritation)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary Statements: Do not breathe dust, fumes or vapors, wash skin thoroughly after handling, wear protective gloves and eye/face protection, in case of inadequate ventilation use respiratory equipment
Pictograms: Skull and Crossbones, Corrosion, Exclamation Mark
Principal Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Chemical Name: Tetramethylammonium Fluoride
Concentration: >98%
Impurities: Water (<1%), related tetraalkylammonium compounds (trace)
Other Ingredients: None reported that contribute to classification
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air immediately, keep at rest, provide oxygen if available, seek immediate medical help
Skin Contact: Take off contaminated clothing, rinse skin with water for at least 15 minutes, seek prompt medical attention
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing, get emergency medical treatment
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth thoroughly with water, give water to conscious victim, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, get immediate medical attention
Most Important Symptoms: Burning sensations, pain in mouth or throat, coughing, shortness of breath, severe irritation of skin/eyes, gastrointestinal irritation, systemic toxicity due to fluoride ions
Medical Attention: Immediate medical intervention vital due to systemic fluoride toxicity potential
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Water jet (may spread material), avoid inhaling combustion products
Specific Hazards During Fire:** Emits toxic and corrosive gases (hydrogen fluoride, nitrogen oxides, methylamines) during combustion
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Use full protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus
Additional Information: Isolate area, avoid contaminated runoff, cool exposed containers with water spray from a safe distance
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ensure adequate ventilation, utilize personal protective equipment (PPE), avoid breathing dust or vapor
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, drains, or soil, contain spill with absorbent, avoid direct releases
Methods for Clean Up: Collect solid with non-sparking tools, place in clearly labeled chemical waste container, use inert absorbent for residues, ventilate affected area
Emergency Procedures: Contact emergency services, follow site-specific emergency response protocols
Safe Handling: Keep container tightly closed, avoid generating dust, only open containers under fume hood or efficient exhaust
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before breaks and after working, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking during use, promptly remove soiled clothing
Conditions for Safe Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location, keep away from incompatible substances (strong acids, oxidants, moisture)
Packaging Materials: Use corrosion-resistant containers, ensure secondary containment for bulk quantities
Storage Temperature: Recommended storage below 25°C for product stability
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established ACGIH or OSHA TLVs for tetramethylammonium fluoride; treat as hazardous fluoride compound
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, fume hoods, perform all procedures in well-ventilated areas
Eye/Face Protection: Chemical safety goggles, face shield for splash protection
Skin Protection: Impervious gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), laboratory coat, chemical apron, closed-toed shoes
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirator if airborne concentrations exceed exposure limits or proper ventilation lacking
Environmental Controls: Prevent release to environment, use closed systems for all transfers, monitor laboratory air regularly
Appearance: White crystalline solid or powder
Odor: Amine-like
Melting Point/Range: 167–171°C (anhydrous product)
Boiling Point: Decomposes upon heating
Solubility: Highly soluble in water and alcohols
pH: Strongly alkaline in aqueous solution
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Density: Approx. 1.1–1.2 g/cm³
Partition coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined
Decomposition Temperature: Above 200°C with emission of toxic fumes
Flash Point: Not applicable (inorganic compound, non-volatile solid)
Reactivity: Reacts violently with acids, generates toxic hydrogen fluoride gas
Chemical Stability: Stable only in tightly sealed, dry containers; hydrolyzes to toxic amines and HF in water; light and heat accelerate decomposition
Hazardous Reactions: Avoid strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, formation of explosive methylamines possible
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen fluoride, methylamines, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, nitrogen oxides
Incompatible Materials: Acids, strong oxidizers, water/moisture, some metals (aluminum, zinc)
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Highly toxic, human oral LD50 estimated at 25–50 mg/kg; animal studies show severe systemic effects
Symptoms: Severe skin and eye burns, respiratory tract irritation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tremors, potentially cardiovascular toxicity due to systemic fluoride ions
Delayed/Chronic Effects: Bone and teeth effects from fluoride overexposure, central nervous system symptoms, possible kidney or liver damage
Sensitization: No reliable data for skin or respiratory sensitization
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity/Reproductive Toxicity: Not classified; insufficient human or animal data available
Specific Target Organ Toxicity: Respiratory irritation, kidney toxicity at high exposures
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, severe disturbance at concentrations above 1 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable, dissociates to persistently toxic fluoride ions in water
Bioaccumulative Potential: Fluoride ions do not bioaccumulate significantly; quaternary ammonium component may affect membrane function in microbes
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile, risk for groundwater contamination in spill events
Other Adverse Effects: Chronic toxicity to plants and soil organisms due to fluoride content, risk for long-term environmental damage near disposal or accident sites
Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste, neutralize cautiously with diluted acid under strictly controlled conditions, collect for licensed hazardous waste incineration
Contaminated Packaging: Decontaminate by thorough water rinsing, dispose of containers through hazardous waste contractor
Special Precautions for Landfill or Incineration: Avoid uncontrolled disposal, comply with regional and national hazardous waste regulations, incineration must use scrubbers for fluoride emissions, never dispose into drains or regular waste streams
Waste Codes: Use most stringent local hazardous waste number for fluorides or organic amines
UN Number: 3439
UN Proper Shipping Name: Tetramethylammonium fluoride, solid
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: II (medium danger)
Environmental Hazards: Mark as marine pollutant if shipped over water
Special Transport Precautions: Segregate from acids, avoid any contact with food and feed, keep containers upright and clearly labeled
DOT/ADR/IMDG/IATA Information: Follow all applicable packaging, labeling, and documentation standards depending on mode of transport
U.S. Regulations: Listed on TSCA inventory, subject to OSHA hazardous chemical requirements, CERCLA threshold for fluorides applies for reportable quantities
EU Regulations: Classified as dangerous under CLP/GHS; REACH registration may apply for industrial use
Canada: Listed in DSL, subject to WHMIS classification as toxic and corrosive
Labeling Requirements: GHS pictograms for toxicity and corrosion, hazard and precautionary statements required by law
Other Regulations: Storage and use may be subject to local chemical control or environmental protection rules, chemical must be tracked in laboratory inventory systems and reported in annual emissions for some jurisdictions
