Cyanogen bromide

Synonyms

Bromine cyanide; Bromocyan; Bromocyanide; Bromocyanogen; Bromure de cyanogen [French]; Campilit; Cyanobromide; Cyanogen monobromide; TL 822; Bromocyane; [ChemIDplus] UN1889

Category

Cyanides

Description

Colorless needles or cubes with a penetrating odor; [HSDB] Colorless or white solid; [ICSC] Colorless crystalline solid; [Aldrich MSDS]

Sources/Uses

Used as a parasiticide, a fumigant, a cyaniding reagent to extract gold, and an intermediate in the synthesis of organic chemicals; also used in cellulose technology and textile treatment; [HSDB]

Comments

Highly toxic; [Quick CPC] 230 ppm is a lethal concentration for mice and cats; the same animals are paralyzed by a 3 minute exposure to 70 ppm; Can cause cyanide poisoning; Inhalation in range of 10 ppm can cause pulmonary edema; [HSDB] A lachrymator; [CHEMINFO] Slowly reacts with water/moisture producing hydrogen bromide and hydrogen cyanide; A severe skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation may cause pulmonary edema; Can be absorbed through skin; May have effects on cellular respiration, causing convulsions, unconsciousness, and respiratory failure; [ICSC] Extremely toxic; The probable oral lethal-dose in humans is less than 5 mg/kg (less than 7 drops for a 70 kg person); [CAMEO] Short-term exposure causes second- and third-degree skin burns and severe eye injury; Vapors cause severe eye and throat irritation (and possibly eye and lung injury) and are intolerable even at low concentrations; [CHRIS] TLV Basis is irritation (eye and upper respiratory tract) and pulmonary edema; In humans, 92 ppm is fatal after 10 minutes; 20 ppm is intolerable after 1 minute; 8 ppm is intolerable after 10 minutes; and 1.4 ppm was the lowest irritant concentration for a 10 minute exposure; [ACGIH]

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

1.3 mg/m3

5 mg/m3, as CN

2 mg/m3, as CN, inhalable fraction, as CN

122 mm Hg

LCLo (mouse) = 500 mg/m3/10min

Explanatory Notes

VP from HSDB;

will not burn

Yes

Yes

Skin burns

Other Poison

Chemical Asphyxiant

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Asphyxiation, chemical
• Fumigants, acute toxic effect

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)
• Metal Extraction and Refining
• Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing)