Product Name: Tetrapropylammonium Hydroxide
Synonyms: TPAOH, Tetra-n-propylammonium hydroxide solution
Chemical Formula: (C3H7)4NOH
CAS Number: 4499-86-9
Use: Commonly used in laboratories, particularly for molecular sieve synthesis, catalysis, and as a developer in semiconductor industries.
Manufacturer/Supplier: Refer to local distributor information or the purchasing department for source and emergency contacts.
Emergency Contact Number: Refer to supplier’s emergency hotline or poison control center.
Classification: Corrosive (Skin and Eye Damage), Serious Eye Damage, Acute Toxicity Oral and Dermal, Environmental Hazard
GHS Label Elements: Danger symbol with corrosion pictogram, health hazard
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Harmful if swallowed. Harmful in contact with skin. Toxic to aquatic life.
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves and eye protection. Avoid breathing vapors. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Avoid release to the environment.
Limit Values: Not established for the solution, similar principles as for strong alkalis recommended.
Chemical Name: Tetrapropylammonium Hydroxide
Concentration: Typically supplied as a 1 to 40% aqueous solution
CAS Number: 4499-86-9
EC Number: 224-787-9
Impurities: Residual propyl amine, trace inorganic salts (often present at less than 0.1%)
Water: Balance of formulation
Stabilizing agents: None typically added; product must be stabilized through proper storage.
General Guidance: Move exposed person away from contamination source. Remove contaminated clothing immediately.
Inhalation: Move person into fresh air. Provide artificial respiration if necessary. Seek medical attention for breathing difficulty or discomfort.
Skin Contact: Remove clothing. Rinse skin with water for at least 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention for burns or irritation.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for 20 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Call emergency medical response.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting. Give water to dilute if conscious. Obtain immediate medical care.
Most Important Symptoms and Effects: Burning pain, severe skin and eye damage, gastrointestinal distress if ingested. Risk of blindness, severe scarring for eyes and skin.
Notes for Medics: Provide symptomatic treatment. Watch for delayed pulmonary edema or systemic effects.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Water preferred for diluting corrosive action.
Unsuitable Media: Avoid direct and powerful water jets, can spread chemical and cause splashing.
Specific Hazards: Generates harmful fumes such as oxides of nitrogen and carbon if involved in fire. Solutions cause slippery surfaces.
Protective Equipment and Instructions: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical-resistant clothing. Evacuate area of unprotected persons.
Hazardous Combustion Byproducts: Nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, and amines released in heat.
Advice for Firefighters: Contain runoff to prevent contamination. Cool containers exposed to fire with water spray.
Personal Precautions: Wear chemical goggles, gloves, long-sleeve protective clothing, and boots. Use a face shield for larger spills. Ventilate area.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent from entering sewers, soil, or waterways. Alert local authorities if large contamination risk suspected.
Methods for Cleanup: Contain with absorbent material (vermiculite, sand). Neutralize with mild acid (dilute acetic acid or citric acid). Scoop up residue, store in compatible waste containers. Wash spill area thoroughly while minimizing runoff.
Methods for Safe Disposal: Place waste in properly labeled containers for hazardous waste treatment. Small neutralized spills may be permitted for sewer disposal with permission from local authorities. Label and store waste away from incompatible substances.
Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Do not eat, drink, or smoke when using. Practice good hygiene.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated area. Keep away from acids, oxidizers, and direct sunlight. Store in corrosion-resistant containers with suitable liner. Avoid temperature extremes and protect against freezing.
Incompatibilities: Strong acids, oxidizers, halogenated organics, metals such as aluminum and zinc.
Storage Class: Corrosive substances.
Special Storage Conditions: Store under secondary containment, away from drains and easily damaged surfaces.
Occupational Exposure Limits: Not specifically established. Use recommendations for strong alkali and ammonia-type compounds as guidance.
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirators for mists and vapors if adequate ventilation is not available.
Eye and Face Protection: Tight-fitting chemical goggles or full-face shield when risk of splashing exists.
Skin Protection: Butyl rubber, nitrile, or neoprene gloves recommended. Chemical-resistant apron or suit. Foot protection required.
Engineering Controls: Safety showers and eyewash stations in work area. Mechanical ventilation to keep vapor concentrations below recommended limits.
Other Protection: Remove contaminated clothing immediately. Launder before reuse. Do not allow product to remain on skin.
Appearance: Clear to slightly yellow liquid
Odor: Amine-like, slightly fishy
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: >13 (highly alkaline)
Melting/Freezing Point: - Not established for solution; pure product forms solid below 0°C
Boiling Point: Dependent on concentration, generally above 100°C (water boils away first)
Flash Point: Not flammable as aqueous solution
Evaporation Rate: Comparable to water
Flammability: Not applicable as a mixture
Vapor Pressure: Not determined for aqueous solution
Vapor Density: Not established
Density: Typically 0.95–1.05 g/cm³ (varies by concentration)
Solubility: Miscible with water
Partition Coefficient: Not established
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not self-igniting
Decomposition Temperature: Not established; thermal decomposition releases toxic vapors
Viscosity: Low, similar to water
Other Information: Strongly corrosive to metals; causes stress cracking in certain plastics.
Chemical Stability: Stable at recommended storage conditions. Solutions may degrade slowly by absorbing carbon dioxide from air, forming carbonate.
Reactivity: Highly reactive with acids (violent neutralization), reacts with oxidizers.
Hazardous Reactions: Contact with strong acids or metals like aluminum produces heat and flammable hydrogen gas.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, contact with moisture if stored as a concentrate, exposure to incompatible substances.
Materials to Avoid: Acids, oxidizing agents, halogenated hydrocarbons, soft metals.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, amines in presence of heat or strong oxidizers.
Acute Toxicity: Harmful if swallowed or absorbed through skin. Skin corrosion and eye damage upon contact. Inhalation may irritate respiratory tract.
Skin Contact: Causes severe burns and tissue destruction. Prolonged exposure increases severity.
Eye Contact: Causes severe damage, possible permanent injury or blindness.
Ingestion: Burns to mouth, throat, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract. Risk of systemic toxicity.
Chronic Toxicity: Repeated or prolonged skin contact leads to dermatitis or ulceration.
Carcinogenicity: Not classifiable based on current data.
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: Not listed as mutagenic/teratogenic.
Target Organs: Skin, eyes, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms of Exposure: Burning sensation, pain, blisters, coughing, abdominal pain, vomiting.
Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms. Highly alkaline nature disrupts aquatic life. Not to be released untreated into water systems.
Persistence and Degradability: Product degrades slowly in environment. Hydroxide neutralizes, but ammonium and propyl groups remain.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low (ammonium ion is water-soluble and disperses).
Mobility: High mobility in water; tends not to bind to soil.
Other Adverse Effects: High pH kills fish and plants. Alters water chemistry in even small concentrations.
Special Precautions for Environment: Avoid product entering soil, waterways, storm drain, or sewer without proper treatment and neutralization.
Product Disposal: Neutralize cautiously with dilute acid in a controlled manner. Absorb neutralized mixture on inert material, transport to licensed chemical waste disposal facility. Only professionals should neutralize significant quantities.
Container Disposal: Triple rinse containers. Neutralize wash liquid before sewer disposal. Do not reuse containers for food storage. Dispose of rinsed containers according to local, state, and federal regulations.
Special Considerations: Follow all hazardous waste regulations. Do not dispose of untreated solution in regular trash or down the drain.
Local Regulations: Contact local authorities or hazardous waste contractor for detailed instructions.
UN Number: 2735
Shipping Name: Amines, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s. (Tetrapropylammonium Hydroxide Solution)
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Corrosive
Marine Pollutant: Considered dangerous to aquatic environments.
Transport Precautions: Handle in corrosion-proof, sealed containers. Keep upright, avoid rough handling and exposure to heat or sunlight.
OSHA Status: Classified as hazardous, subject to workplace safety standards.
TSCA: Listed on the US Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory.
SARA Title III: Not listed as an extremely hazardous substance but reportable under certain conditions.
RCRA Status: Considered a hazardous waste under federal and state rules due to corrosivity.
EU Regulation: Subject to REACH registration; labeled as corrosive and harmful. Requires proper labeling and training for users.
Other Regulations: Refer to local legislation regarding workplace control, transportation, and waste management.
Worker Right-to-Know: Safety and risk information must be available in the workplace.
