Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Stannic Chloride Anhydrous

Identification

Product Name: Stannic Chloride Anhydrous
Synonyms: Tin Tetrachloride, Tin(IV) Chloride, SnCl4
Recommended Use: Catalyst in organic synthesis, reagent in tin plating, manufacturing of perfumes and dyes
Manufacturer/Supplier: Major chemical supply companies across global distribution networks
Contact Information: Emergency hotlines typically provided by supplier; CHEMTREC and local poison control as backup
CAS Number: 7646-78-8
UN Number: UN1827
Emergency Overview: Corrosive, fuming colorless to pale yellow liquid, strong odor similar to hydrochloric acid

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral Category 4), Skin Corrosion (Category 1B), Eye Damage (Category 1), Specific Target Organ Toxicity—Single Exposure (Category 3, Respiratory Tract Irritation)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, causes respiratory irritation
Pictograms: Corrosive, Exclamation Mark
Precautionary Statements: Do not breathe vapors or mist, wear protective gloves/clothing/eye protection, wash skin thoroughly, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area
NFPA Ratings: Health 3, Flammability 0, Reactivity 2, Special Caution for Water Reactivity
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Tin(IV) chloride
Concentration: 100% (Anhydrous form)
CAS Number: 7646-78-8
Impurities: May contain trace hydrated forms if exposed to moisture, possible residual acids from synthesis
Molecular Formula: SnCl4
Molecular Weight: 260.52 g/mol

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove to fresh air immediately, keep affected person calm, seek medical attention if symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath, burning sensation) continue
Skin Contact: Rinse with abundant water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, seek urgent medical help for burns or persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with lukewarm, gently flowing water for minimum of 15 minutes, holding eyelids open, immediate doctor referral required
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, medical attention mandatory
Note to Physicians: Treat as strong acid exposure; risk of pulmonary edema and systemic toxicity; monitor for delayed effects

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical or CO₂ fire extinguishers, avoid water to prevent violent reaction
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Water and foam result in hazardous hydrolysis with toxic hydrogen chloride gas release
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride, tin oxides may form if involved in fire
Protective Equipment: Full chemical-resistant suit, self-contained breathing apparatus, isolation from chemical vapors
Special Precautions for Firefighters: Rapid hydrolysis can escalate danger; remain upwind and prevent inhalation of fumes
Specific Hazards: Non-combustible, but reacts with water or steam to release corrosive and toxic gases

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Restrict non-essential personnel, make sure all responders wear acid-resistant gloves, protective suits, eye and face protection, and approved respirators
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, drains, soils; inform authorities in case of large spill
Clean-up Methods: Absorb with dry sand, vermiculite, or inert material; do not use water, neutralize with soda ash or lime cautiously in well-ventilated area, use non-sparking tools for collection
Disposal of Material: Place waste in labeled, tightly sealed containers for proper hazardous waste management
Decontamination: Rinse affected area with copious running water post neutralization, ventilate area before reoccupation

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling Guidelines: Transfer in chemical fume hood, wear full protective equipment, keep away from sources of moisture and incompatible chemicals
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed polyethylene or glass containers with corrosion-resistant fittings, dedicated corrosives cabinet indicated
Temperature Requirements: Maintain storage in cool, dry, well-ventilated space, avoid temperature extremes
Segregation: Isolate from alkalis, water, oxidizers, reducing agents, strong bases, metals prone to corrosion
Additional Precautions: Use secondary containment to control potential leakage, display hazardous material signage

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL (as tin compounds) 2 mg/m³ TWA, ACGIH TLV 2 mg/m³ TWA
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, chemical hoods, and splash guards at points of use
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, full face shield, acid-resistant gloves, lab coat or apron, chemical resistant boots
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved respirators for acid gases in absence of adequate ventilation
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing before leaving work area
Monitoring: Regular air quality checks, biological monitoring as appropriate for ongoing exposure

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow heavy liquid, fuming in moist air
Odor: Sharp, acrid odor, similar to concentrated hydrochloric acid
Boiling Point: 114°C (237°F)
Melting Point: -33°C (-27.4°F)
Solubility: Hydrolyzes violently in water, releases hydrogen chloride fumes
Vapor Pressure: 10 mmHg at 25°C
Density (g/cm³): 2.226 at 25°C
pH: Not applicable (reacts with water)
Other Properties: Hygroscopic, reacts exothermically with water to form tin(IV) oxide and HCl gas

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under dry, tightly sealed storage conditions; extremely reactive to water and humid air
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, water, humidity, high ambient temperatures, incompatible container materials
Incompatible Materials: Strong bases, alkalis, reactive metals, oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride (HCl) fumes, tin oxides when decomposing due to heat
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Violent hydrolysis in contact with water or steam

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 750 mg/kg; causes severe mucosal and gastrointestinal irritation
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Severe burns on contact, risk for tissue destruction and ulceration
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Blindness, permanent corneal damage from splashes
Inhalation Risks: Upper respiratory tract burns, pulmonary edema, chemical pneumonitis possible after significant inhalation
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may lead to chronic respiratory or skin conditions
Signs and Symptoms: Pain, redness, blistering, coughing, wheezing, gastrointestinal distress following exposures

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic for aquatic life with lasting effects
Aquatic Organism Effects: Rapid pH drop and direct toxicity to aquatic species
Persistence and Degradability: Undergoes hydrolysis, forming tin oxides and hydrochloric acid in moisture
Bioaccumulation Potential: Not expected to bioaccumulate in higher organisms, but releases ions harmful to sensitive species
Mobility in Soil: Rapidly binds to soil, forming insoluble residues, but runoff risk in spills due to acidity
Other Environmental Warnings: Intense acidity can devastate nearby plant life and aquatic environments even at low concentrations

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal Methods: Hazardous chemical waste; neutralize cautiously in controlled environment, dilute and dispose via hazardous waste program
Container Disposal: Triple rinse with neutralizing solution before recycling or disposal, puncture or crush only after complete decontamination
Disposal Regulations: Comply with local, state, and federal hazardous waste laws, report significant spills to authorities
Precautionary Steps: Never dispose of in general waste, landfill, or down the drain, minimize environmental releases at all points of handling

Transport Information

UN Number: UN1827
Proper Shipping Name: Stannic Chloride, Anhydrous
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Corrosive
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant, reportable quantities may trigger special restrictions
Special Precautions: Secure upright during transport, avoid packages with water exposure risk, emergency response possible en route

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Listed as hazardous material, regulated under HAZCOM
TSCA Inventory: Listed
SARA 313: Reportable under Section 313 for tin compounds
RCRA: Classified hazardous waste when discarded
WHMIS: D1B (Toxic), E (Corrosive) in Canada
Additional EU Information: Listed as dangerous substance, subject to REACH registration, hazard codes H314 (causes severe skin burns and eye damage), H332 (harmful if inhaled), H335 (may cause respiratory irritation)
Other Legal Obligations: National, state, and municipal reporting requirements for significant releases and usage, restricted use in sensitive environments such as water-treatment facilities and food processing plants