Product Identification

Product Name

Aluminum triethyl

Synonyms

Aluminum, triethyl
Triethylaluminum

CAS

97-93-8

Formula

C6H15Al

Molecular Weight

114.19

EINECS

202-619-3

RTECS

BD2050000

RTECS Class

Other

Beilstein/Gmelin

3587229

Beilstein Reference

4-04-00-04398

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance

A colorless liquid.

Solubility in water

Decomposes

Melting Point

-46.1

Boiling Point

128

Vapor Pressure

1 (25 C)

Density

0.836 g/cm3 (20 C)

Heat Of Vaporization

57.3 kJ/mol

Heat Of Combustion

-4872 kJ/mol

Usage

Catalyst intermediate for polymerization of olefins, expecially ethylene, pyrophoric fuels, production of alpha-olefins and long chain alcohols, gas plating of aluminum.

Refractive Index

1.48 (6.5 C)

First Aid Measures

Ingestion

Mucosal if no respiratory compromise is present, dilute immediately with milk or water; no more than 8 ounces in adults and 4 ounces in children. Gastric ipecac contraindicated. Consider insertion of a small, flexible nasogastric or orogastric tube to suction gastric contents after recent large ingestions; the risk of further mucosal injury must be weighed against potential benefits.

Inhalation

Move patient to fresh air. Monitor for respiratory distress. If cough or difficulty breathing develops, evaluate for respiratory tract irritation, bronchitis, or pneumonitis. Administer oxygen and assist ventilation as required. Treat bronchospasm with beta2 agonist and corticosteroid aerosols.

Skin

Remove contaminated clothes. Irrigate exposed skin with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes or longer, depending on concentration, amount and duration of exposure to the chemical. A physician may need to examine the area if irritation or pain persist.

Eyes

Home irrigation - exposed eyes should be irrigated with copious amounts of water for at least 30 minutes. An examination should always be performed. Ophthalmologic consultation should be obtained. Medical facility: irrigate with sterile 0.9% Saline for at least an hour or until the cul-de-sacs are free of particulate matter and returned to neutrality (confirm with pH paper).

Handling and Storage

Storage

Must be completely sealed off from atmosphere.

Handling

All chemicals should be considered hazardous. Avoid direct physical contact. Use appropriate, approved safety equipment. Untrained individuals should not handle this chemical or its container. Handling should occur in a chemical fume hood.

Hazards Identification

Inhalation

Stridor, dyspnea, upper airway injury, and pulmonary edema, especially following inhalation of vaporized caustics, may occur.

Skin

Severe skin irritation and/or burns may occur.

Eyes

Alkaline eye exposures produce distortion of cellular membranes, loss of corneal, the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and the exposed surface of the eyeballl and lens epithelium and loss of endothelium of the cornea and blood vessels.

Ingestion

Burns of the esophagus and less commonly the stomach may occur after caustic ingestion; the absence of oral mucosal injury does not reliably exclude esophageal burns. Patients with stridor, drooling or vomiting are more likely to have esophageal burns.

Hazards

May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture. May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. May react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.

UN (DOT)

3051

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Personal Protection

Wear safety goggles, face shield, gas mask and protective rubber clothing. Protective clothing and high standard of training in necessary precautionary measures are essential for handling of materials.

Respirators

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Exposure Effects

Headache, myalgias, weakness, and paresthesias in both feet have been reported. Aluminum in drinking water has been linked to central nervous system birth defects. Some aluminum compounds have proven teratogenic in laboratory animals; however, overall, aluminum is not considered teratogenic.

Poison Class

1

Fire Fighting Measures

Fire Fighting

Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Water, foam, halogenated extinguishing agents.Fire Extinguishing Agents: Inert powders (sand, limestone), dry chemical

Fire Potential

Extreme. Very flammable. Ignites spontaneously in air.

Accidental Release Measures

Small spills/leaks

Use a fully encapsulating, vapor protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire. ELIMINATE all ignition sources and prevent all contact with spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand, or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosley covered plastic containers for later disposal. This is a generic DOT guideline. EXCEPTION: For Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite) spills, UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, dissolve with 5 parts water and collect for proper disposal.

Stability and Reactivity

Stability

Explodes violently in water. Violent reactions can occur if exposed to halogenated hydrocarbons. Highly reactive.

Incompatibilities

Reacts violently with water, alcohols, phenols, amines, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, halogens, and halogenated hydrocarbons, causing fire and explosion hazards.

Decomposition

Decomposition to Al(OH)3 + C2H6 when heated to decomposition, it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Combustion Products

Intense smoke may cause metal-fume fever.

Transport Information

UN Number

3051

Hazard Class

4.2

Packing Group

I