Material Safety Data Sheet: Copper Ammonium Complex

Identification

Product Name: Copper Ammonium Complex
Chemical Family: Transition Metal Complex
Synonyms: Cuprammonium Solution, Copper(II) Ammonia Complex
Chemical Formula: [Cu(NH₃)₄](SO₄)_n·xH₂O
Manufacturer/Supplier: Laboratory Supplier or Chemical Distributor
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, fiber spinning processes, analytical chemistry
Restrictions: Not for food, drug, or household use
Telephone Number for Emergency: Refer to local poison control or CHEMTREC
Address of Supplier: Available upon request from distributor or manufacturer

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral, Dermal, Inhalation) – Category 4; Eye Irritant – Category 2A; Skin Corrosive – Category 1B; Specific Target Organ Toxicity – Category 2
Signal Word: Danger
Pictograms: Corrosive, Acute Toxicity, Exclamation Mark
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; Harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through skin; Toxic to aquatic life; May cause respiratory irritation
Precautionary Statements: Wash thoroughly after handling; Avoid breathing dust, fume, or spray; Wear protective clothing, eye protection, gloves; Use only in well-ventilated areas; Avoid release to the environment
Target Organs: Eyes, Skin, Respiratory System, Liver, Kidneys
Additional Hazards: Generates toxic ammonia gas on contact with acids; Copper ions may be absorbed through skin or mucous membranes

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate: 25–35%
Aqueous ammonia solution (ammonium hydroxide): 10–18%
Ethanol/water: Balance
Other Ingredients: Inorganic impurities & hydrate water
CAS Number Copper(II) Sulfate: 7758-99-8
CAS Number Ammonia solution: 1336-21-6
CAS Number Water: 7732-18-5

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately; seek medical attention if breathing difficulties persist; supply oxygen if available
Skin Contact: Immediately remove contaminated clothing; wash affected area with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical attention for burns or irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for 15–20 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally; remove contact lenses if present; seek emergency medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; if conscious, rinse mouth thoroughly and give water; seek immediate medical attention
Notes for Medical Staff: Treat symptomatically; monitor for respiratory distress; copper toxicity can affect liver and kidneys; ammonia exposure can cause pulmonary edema

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry powder, or CO₂;
Unsuitable Media: Do not use water jet as it may spread chemical
Hazardous Combustion Products: Copper fumes, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides
Specific Hazards During Fire: Container may rupture from heat; toxic gases may be released
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, protective gloves, and flame-resistant suit
Additional Advice: Cool containers with water spray to prevent rupture or pressure buildup; evacuate area downwind

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate nonessential personnel; wear suitable respiratory protection, chemical goggles, and impervious gloves
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release into municipal sewers, waterways, or soil; alert environmental authorities if contamination occurs
Spill Containment: Absorb liquid with inert material (e.g., sand or vermiculite); collect spillage in sealed containers for proper disposal
Cleanup Procedures: Neutralize residues with dilute acid, only if trained to do so; ventilate area well; avoid creating aerosols; wash residue away with copious water if appropriate
Decontamination: Wash tools and protective equipment thoroughly after contact

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling Advice: Store and use in well-ventilated spaces; keep containers tightly closed when not in use; beware of ammonia fumes when opening; avoid direct skin or eye contact
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials like acids, oxidizing agents, and combustible substances
Materials to Avoid: Acids (release of ammonia gas); oxidizers; reducing agents; combustible materials
Transfer Information: Use dedicated lines, pumps, or containers to avoid cross-contamination
Shelf Life: Check for precipitation, changes in color, or crystals indicating decomposition
Other Precautions: Label areas and containers clearly; segregate from food and feedstuffs

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Recommended Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hood; provide exhaust ventilation for operations with vapor/mist generation
Occupational Exposure Limits: Copper (as dust/mist): OSHA PEL 1.0 mg/m³ (TWA); ACGIH TLV: 0.2 mg/m³ (fume); Ammonia: OSHA PEL 50 ppm (TWA), ACGIH TLV 25 ppm (TWA)
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear nitrile/neoprene gloves, splash-proof chemical safety goggles, face shield, and impervious lab coat
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirator for ammonia or copper fume if engineering controls do not maintain safe levels
Environmental Protection: Use local containment and protective barriers to prevent soil and water contamination during use

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Deep blue liquid
Odor: Strong ammonia-like smell
pH: Basic, typically 10–11
Melting/Freezing Point: < 0°C (due to solution properties)
Boiling Point: Approximately 100–115°C, depends on ammonia concentration
Vapor Pressure: Elevated due to ammonia content
Solubility: Completely soluble in water
Density: 1.1 – 1.2 g/cm³
Viscosity: Low to moderate
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not applicable (ionic solution)
Explosive Properties: Not explosive under normal conditions
Oxidizing Properties: Not classified as oxidizer but can catalyze oxidation

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; excess heat, air, or acid rapidly decomposes complex
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid heat, sunlight, open flame, and strong acids
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, acid chlorides, oxidizers, reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Ammonia gas, nitrogen oxides, copper oxide, sulfur dioxide
Polymerization: Not known to polymerize
Additional Reactivity Information: Ammonia can volatilize rapidly, raising risk of respiratory exposure

Toxicological Information

Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Corrosive to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; exposure to vapors may cause respiratory tract burns, coughing, pulmonary edema; ingestion harms gastrointestinal tract; systemic copper toxicity can cause vomiting, liver and kidney damage
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure to copper may cause anemia, liver cirrhosis; chronic inhalation of ammonia vapor linked to bronchitis and respiratory irritation
LD₅₀ (oral, rat): Copper(II) sulfate 300 mg/kg
LD₅₀ (dermal, rabbit): 1100 mg/kg
Ammonia inhalation effects: Headache, irritation, coughing, dizziness; high concentrations can be fatal
Other Symptoms: Blue discoloration of skin (copper salts), abdominal pain, diarrhea
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC or NTP
Mutagenicity: Not classified as mutagen

Ecological Information

Environmental Fate: Persistent in aquatic environments; bioaccumulates in aquatic organisms (fish, algae)
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to fish, daphnia, and algae; LC₅₀ (fish): <1 mg/L (copper ion); Ammonia is also dangerous at low concentrations
Soil Mobility: Copper binds to soils; ammonia rapidly volatilizes and transforms
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic complex; persistent copper ions; ammonia degrades via microbes but is toxic in the interim
Bioaccumulation Potential: Copper deposits accumulate in aquatic tissues and sediments
Other Information: Avoid discharge to municipal water, stormwater, or natural bodies; follow spill containment procedures to limit environmental impact; national guidelines restrict waterborne copper ion levels to protect freshwater species

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Collect and containerize liquid and solid waste; do not dispose untreated into sewer or natural waters
Approved Disposal: Submit waste to licensed hazardous waste disposal contractor; follow federal, state, and local requirements
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse with water; handle rinsate as hazardous waste; puncture and dispose as hazardous solid
Recycling/Recovery: Recover copper by controlled precipitation if possible, only in properly equipped facility
Special Precautions: Never neutralize spills with acid except by trained personnel due to ammonia gas risk
Regulatory Codes: Review EPA, local water authority, and RCRA requirements

Transport Information

UN Number: 3318 (Ammonia solution, corrosive)
Proper Shipping Name: Ammonia solution, Copper-containing
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive), 9 (Miscellaneous if waste)
Packing Group: II
Label Required: Corrosive
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant
Special Transport Precautions: Prevent tipping, damage, or cap leakage; segregate from acids
Transport Regulations: DOT, IMDG, IATA all require special containers, documentation, and emergency response
Emergency Guide Number: 154 (corrosive liquids, N.O.S.)
Additional Remarks: Notify carrier prior to shipment; retain original supplier documentation for traceability

Regulatory Information

TSCA (USA): All components found on the TSCA inventory
SARA Title III: Copper and ammonia compounds listed as hazardous; subject to reporting for releases above threshold quantities
OSHA Hazard Communication: Substance considered hazardous; SDS and employee training required
CERCLA: Copper compounds have reportable quantity; accidental release reporting is mandatory
RCRA: Waste may qualify as hazardous for toxicity (D002, D017)
Canadian WHMIS: Classified as Class D2B (toxic) and E (corrosive); SDS required under WHMIS
European CLP: Labeled as Corrosive, Dangerous for the Environment; symbols and phrases in compliance with GHS
Other Country-Specific Regulations: Copper ion discharges and ammonia vapor emissions subject to restriction by many national and state environmental agencies; always consult latest regulations before import, export, disposal, or discharge