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Chemical Datasheet
HYDROGEN CYANIDE, SOLUTION IN ALCOHOL, WITH NOT MORE THAN 45% HYDROGEN CYANIDE |
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Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
- 74-90-8
- 64-17-5
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|
- Poison Inhalation Hazard
- Flammable Liquid
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none
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NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
Hydrogen cyanide
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- ETHANOL (ANHYDROUS)
- HYDROGEN CYANIDE, LIQUEFIED
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NFPA 704
General Description
A clear colorless liquid with a faint odor of bitter almonds. Less dense than water. Vapors are slightly lighter than air. Vapors are very toxic by inhalation or skin contact. Prolonged exposure to heat can cause a closed container to rupture violently and rocket.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
- Highly Flammable
- Polymerizable
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Reacts with water to release gaseous hydrogen cyanide (very poisonous).
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. CAUTION: Methanol (UN1230) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.) Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Vapor explosion and poison hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids will float on water. (ERG, 2024)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes. Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears). Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2024)
Reactivity Profile
HYDROGEN CYANIDE, SOLUTION IN ALCOHOL, WITH NOT MORE THAN 45% HYDROGEN CYANIDE reacts with acid to evolve hydrogen cyanide, a very poisonous colorless gas smelling of bitter almonds. The solution also evolves gaseous hydrogen cyanide when heated. Inhalation of the gas is quickly fatal by respiratory arrest. The gas forms flammable or explosive mixtures with air (may be difficult to ignite at lower concentrations), presents an explosion hazard when heated with or exposed to other oxidizing agents, and may polymerize explosively at elevated temperature (50-60°C) or in the presence of traces of alkali [Wohler, L. et al., Chem. Ztg., 1926, 50, p. 761, 781]. Solution may react violently with acetaldehyde. Is incompatible with isocyanates, nitrides, peroxides, and epoxides. May react exothermically with metal salts. May generate flammable and/or toxic gases with alkali metals, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. During the preparation of imidoester hydrochlorides, hydrogen chloride was rapidly passed over an alcoholic solution of hydrogen cyanide. An explosion ensued, despite cooling of the process [J. Org. Chem., 1955, 20, 1573].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
- Alcohols and Polyols
- Cyanides, Inorganic
- Acids, Weak
- Polymerizable Compounds
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been
known to react with the
absorbents
listed below.
- Cellulose-Based Absorbents
- Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
- Dirt/Earth
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 3294 datasheet.
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient. CAUTION: Methanol (UN1230) will burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.
LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors.
SMALL SPILL: Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers for later disposal. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.
LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical |
CAS Number |
State |
QS |
QC |
SL |
C3 |
TF |
TP |
RC |
TK |
RF |
Hydrogen cyanide (21°C, liquid) |
74-90-8 |
Liquid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
135 |
>480 |
135 |
Hydrogen cyanide (27°C, gaseous) |
74-90-8 |
Vapor |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
Ethanol |
64-17-5 |
Liquid |
|
|
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
|
|
Ethyl alcohol |
64-17-5 |
Liquid |
|
|
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
|
|
Spiritus |
64-17-5 |
Liquid |
|
|
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
|
|
Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be
used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or
explosive environments. Only...
(DuPont, 2024)
First Aid
Excerpt from ERG Guide 131 [Flammable Liquids - Toxic]:
Refer to the "General First Aid" section. Specific First Aid: Wash skin with soap and water. In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin. (ERG, 2024)
Physical Properties
Chemical Formula: |
- HCN (hydrogen cyanide)
- C2H5OH (ethanol)
|
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential:
13.60 eV
[From NPG: Hydrogen cyanide]
(NIOSH, 2024)
IDLH:
50 ppm
[From NPG: Hydrogen cyanide]
(NIOSH, 2024)
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
Final AEGLs for Hydrogen cyanide (74-90-8)
Exposure Period |
AEGL-1 |
AEGL-2 |
AEGL-3 |
10 minutes |
2.5 ppm |
17 ppm |
27 ppm |
30 minutes |
2.5 ppm |
10 ppm |
21 ppm |
60 minutes |
2 ppm |
7.1 ppm |
15 ppm |
4 hours |
1.3 ppm |
3.5 ppm |
8.6 ppm |
8 hours |
1 ppm |
2.5 ppm |
6.6 ppm |
(NAC/NRC, 2024)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
Chemical |
ERPG-1 |
ERPG-2 |
ERPG-3 |
|
Hydrogen Cyanide (74-90-8)
|
NA |
10 ppm |
25 ppm |
|
Ethanol (64-17-5)
|
1800 ppm  |
3300 ppm  |
NA |
LEL = 33000 ppm |
(AIHA, 2022)
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical |
PAC-1 |
PAC-2 |
PAC-3 |
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Hydrogen cyanide; (Hydrocyanic acid) (74-90-8)
|
2 ppm |
7.1 ppm |
15 ppm |
LEL = 56000 ppm |
Ethyl alcohol; (Ethanol) (64-17-5)
|
1800 ppm |
3300 ppm  |
15000 ppm  |
LEL = 33000 ppm |
(DOE, 2024)
Regulatory Information
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
Regulatory Name |
CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ |
EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
Cyanide Compounds |
N106 |
|
|
& |
313 |
|
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Hydrocyanic acid |
74-90-8 |
100 pounds |
10 pounds |
10 pounds |
X |
P063 |
2500 pounds |
Hydrogen cyanide |
74-90-8 |
100 pounds |
10 pounds |
10 pounds |
313 |
P063 |
2500 pounds |
(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
|
RELEASE |
THEFT |
SABOTAGE |
Chemical of Interest |
CAS Number |
Min Conc |
STQ |
Security Issue |
Min Conc |
STQ |
Security Issue |
Min Conc |
STQ |
Security Issue |
Hydrocyanic acid |
74-90-8 |
1.00 % |
2500 pounds |
toxic |
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|
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|
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Hydrogen cyanide; [Hydrocyanic acid] |
74-90-8 |
|
|
|
4.67 % |
15 pounds |
WME |
|
|
|
(CISA, 2007)
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
Chemical Name |
CAS Number |
Threshold Quantity (TQ) |
Hydrogen Cyanide, Anhydrous |
74-90-8 |
1000 pounds |
(OSHA, 2019)
Alternate Chemical Names
- HYDROGEN CYANIDE, SOLUTION IN ALCOHOL, WITH NOT MORE THAN 45% HYDROGEN CYANIDE