Phosphorus pentachloride

Synonyms

Fosforo(pentacloruro di) [Italian]; Fosforpentachloride [Dutch]; Pentachlorophosphorane; Phosphorane, pentachloro-; Phosphore(pentachlorure de) [French]; Phosphoric chloride; Phosphoric perchloride; Phosphorous pentachloride; Phosphorpentachlorid [German]; Phosphorus chloride (PCl5); Phosphorus perchloride; Phosphorus(V) chloride; Pieciochlorek fosforu [Polish]; [ChemIDplus] UN1806

Category

Other Toxic Gases & Vapors

Description

Greenish-yellow crystalline solid with an irritating odor; [CAMEO]

Sources/Uses

Used as a catalyst, chlorinating agent in chemical synthesis, dehydrating agent, and in aluminum metallurgy; [ACGIH]

Comments

Eye irritation and acute bronchitis have been reported after occupational exposures. Hydrogen chloride is released upon contact with water. [ACGIH] Toxic to the liver in chronic animal studies; [Desai, H. Phosphorus and Phosphorus Compounds. In: Sullivan J, Krieger G (eds).Hazardous Materials Toxicology.Baltimore:Williams & Wilkins,1992;939] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC]

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

Yes

0.85 mg/m3

Yes

1 mg/m3

1 mg/m3, inhalable fraction

70 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Other data: The vapors of phosphorus pentachloride decompose in the presence of moisture with the subsequent liberation of hydrochloric and phosphoric acids [Henderson and Haggard 1943].

0.012 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) = 205 mg/m3

Explanatory Notes

Not TIH in land-based spills, but TiH substance released when spilled in water; [ERG 2016] VP from HSDB;

Reference Link #2

will not burn

Yes

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Skin burns

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Pneumonitis, toxic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Aluminum Producing
• Toxic Gas from Spilling Chemical in Water