Chlorodiethylaluminum

Synonyms

Aluminum diethyl monochloride; Aluminum, chlorodiethyl-; Aluminum, dichlorotetraethyldi-; DEAK; Deac; Diethylaluminium chloride; Diethylaluminum monochloride; Diethylchloroaluminum; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Metals, Organic Compounds

Description

Colorless liquid (will ignite spontaneously in air); [Hawley]

Sources/Uses

Used as a catalyst for thermoplastic polymers and an intermediate for organometallic compounds; [Hawley] Used as military incendiary agent; [Sullivan, p. 979] Organic aluminum compounds are "some of the most important, highest volume, highest value organometallic compounds in production." [Ullmann]

Comments

Aluminum alkyl halides release large amounts of HCl when spilled in water; [ERG 2016] Reacts violently with water and air; Decomposition products include flammable vapors, HCl, AlCl3, and aluminum containing dust; Causes thermal burns to skin and eyes; Inhalation can cause pulmonary edema; [CHEMINFO MSDS] Organoaluminum compounds are corrosive; Harmful if absorbed through the skin or inhaled; The butyl alkyls and below are pyrophoric; Aluminum alkyls are eye irritants; [HSDB] Organic aluminum compounds can cause irritation or burns, depending upon concentration; [Ullmann] TLV withdrawn for aluminum alkyls because of inadequate toxicological data; [ACGIH] See "Aluminum." See "ORGANOMETALS."

Biomedical References

Yes

Yes

0.17 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) = 11,000 mg/m3

Explanatory Notes

TLV withdrawn in 2008 with adoption of "Aluminum metal and insoluble compounds"; TLV not recommended for soluble nor for alkyl Al compounds; [ACGIH] Not TIH in land-based spills, but TiH substance released when spilled in water; [ERG 2016]

burn readily

Yes

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Plastic Composites Manufacturing
• Toxic Gas from Spilling Chemical in Water