Material Safety Data Sheet: Cuprous Bromide

Identification

Product Name: Cuprous Bromide
Synonyms: Copper(I) bromide, Cuprous Bromide
Chemical Formula: CuBr
Molecular Weight: 143.36 g/mol
CAS Number: 7787-70-4
Recommended Use: Catalyst, chemical synthesis, laboratory reagent
Manufacturer Contact: Must include manufacturer’s address, emergency telephone, technical services, and email

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute Toxicity – Oral (Category 4), Eye Irritation (Category 2A), Acute Aquatic Hazard (Category 1)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes serious eye irritation, very toxic to aquatic life
Pictograms: Exclamation mark, environment
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands thoroughly after handling, avoid release to the environment, wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye protection

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Cuprous Bromide
Common Name: Copper(I) bromide
Concentration: 99%
CAS Number: 7787-70-4

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop. Support breathing if necessary.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash affected skin with plenty of soap and water. Seek medical advice if irritation persists.
Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids open. Remove contact lenses if present. Seek prompt medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting. Give water to dilute. Seek emergency medical care.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, foam. Water spray for larger fires.
Specific Hazards: Product decomposes on heating forming toxic and irritating fumes such as hydrogen bromide and copper oxides.
Special Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Use self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing. Keep containers cool with water spray.
Explosion Data: Non-flammable but contact with metals may evolve hydrogen gas, which may form explosive mixtures with air.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Use personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and a dust mask. Avoid inhalation of dust.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to waterways, drains, and soils.
Methods for Containment and Cleaning Up: Sweep up spillage and place in a suitable closed container for disposal. Avoid dust formation. Ventilate area. Wash spill site after material pickup is complete.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Handle with care, using protective equipment. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Wash hands after use.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location away from incompatible substances like strong acids and oxidizers. Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Prevent exposure to light and moisture to maintain product stability.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: No occupational exposure limits established for Cuprous Bromide. For copper compounds (as Cu), OSHA PEL is 1 mg/m³ (dust and mist, as Cu).
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation to minimize airborne concentrations. Use process enclosures or other engineering controls.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear appropriate chemical-resistant gloves, lab coat, and safety goggles. If dust is present, use NIOSH-approved respirator. Ensure eye-wash stations and safety showers are available.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to off-white powder or crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
pH: Not applicable (insoluble in water)
Melting Point: 492°C (918°F)
Boiling Point: 1345°C (2453°F)
Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in ammonia, alkali bromide solutions
Vapor Pressure: Not available
Density: 4.71 g/cm³ at 25°C
Partition Coefficient: Not available
Other Properties: Stable under ordinary conditions, decomposes on heating

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, sensitive to light
Reactivity: Reacts with acids releasing toxic hydrogen bromide; reacts with strong oxidizers
Hazardous Reactions: No significant hazardous polymerization
Decomposition Products: Copper oxides, bromine compounds, and hydrogen bromide under fire conditions
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, moisture

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 1000 mg/kg
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Health Effects: Harmful if swallowed. Causes irritation to mucous membranes, eyes, and skin. May lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Chronic exposure to copper salts may result in liver and kidney damage as well as anemia.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by IARC, OSHA, or NTP
Sensitization: Not a known sensitizer
Other Data: May aggravate pre-existing conditions of the skin, liver, or kidneys

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic organisms, may cause long-term adverse effects in aquatic environments
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compounds do not degrade easily in the environment
Bioaccumulation: Evidence suggests copper compounds bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms
Mobility: Low in soil, limited by low water solubility
Other Information: Avoid uncontrolled spill or discharge into the environment

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national hazardous waste regulations. Waste must be placed in properly labeled containers.
Contaminated Packaging: Containers should be triple-rinsed and disposed of as hazardous waste or returned to supplier if appropriate.
Special Precautions: Do not contaminate surface water, groundwater, or soil during disposal activities

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 3077
Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s. (Cuprous Bromide)
Hazard Class: 9 (Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods)
Packing Group: III
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant
Transport Labels: Class 9 hazard label required
Special Transport Precautions: Protect packaging from moisture and rupture during transportation. Ensure containers are properly secured

Regulatory Information

TSCA Status: Listed on the US Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
OSHA Hazard Communication: Covered, hazardous chemical
SARA Title III: Copper compounds subject to reporting under Sections 311/312 (hazardous chemical) and 313 (toxic chemical list)
EU Classification: Regulated under CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008
DSL/NDSL: Listed in the Canadian Domestic Substances List
Other International Regulations: Subject to regulation according to various country-specific laws and environmental protection standards