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Chemical Datasheet

PHOSPHORIC ANHYDRIDE

Chemical Identifiers | Hazards | Response Recommendations | Physical Properties | Regulatory Information | Alternate Chemical Names

Chemical Identifiers

UN/NA Number - The United Nations-North America number (also called UN number or DOT number). 4-digit number identifying an individual chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. Required on shipping papers; often shown on placards or labels. This numbering system was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and then became the UN standard system for classifying hazardous materials.

CAS Number - Chemical Abstracts Service registry number. Unique identification number assigned to this chemical by the American Chemical Society.

CHRIS Code - 3-letter code used by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify individual chemicals included in its CHRIS (Chemical Hazards Response Information System) manual.

DOT Hazard Label - U.S. Department of Transportation hazard warning label for the chemical (such as flammable liquid or corrosive). This label must be displayed on shipped packages, railroad tank cars, and tank trucks according to specifications described in 49 CFR 172.

NFPA 704 - Text description of the diamond-shaped placard, which contains codes indicating the level of the chemical's health, flammability, and reactivity hazards, along with special hazards such as water- and air-reactivity. (The NFPA 704 diamond is also shown at the top of the datasheet.) See a guide to the NFPA diamond.

General Description - Brief description of the chemical's general appearance, behavior, and hazardousness.

List of data sources.
UN/NA Number CAS Number CHRIS Code DOT Hazard Label
  • 1314-56-3
none
  • CORROSIVE
NFPA 704: data unavailable
General Description
A white amorphous powder. Corrosive to metals and tissue and moderately toxic.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts - Special alerts if the chemical is especially reactive (see list of reactivity alerts).

Air & Water Reactions - Special alerts if the chemical reacts with air, water, or moisture.

Fire Hazard - Description of the chemical's fire hazards (such as flammability, explosion risk, or byproducts that may evolve if the chemical is burned).

Health Hazard - Description of the chemical's health hazards (such as toxicity, flammability, or corrosivity).

Reactivity Profile - Description of the chemical's potential reactivity with other chemicals, air, and water. Also includes any other intrinsic reactive hazards (such as polymerizable or peroxidizable).

Reactive Groups - List of reactive groups that the chemical is assigned to, based on its known chemistry. Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that react in similar ways because their chemical structures are similar. Reactive groups are used to predict reactivity when you add a chemical to MyChemicals. Read more about reactive groups.

List of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Readily absorbs moisture from the air forming a syrup of meta-, pyro-, and orthophosphoric acids. Reacts violently with water releasing considerable heat [Oldbury Chemicals, p. 9].
Fire Hazard
Reacts violently with water to evolve heat. Flammable poisonous gases may accumulate in tanks and hopper cars. Phosphorus pentoxide reacts violently with the following: ammonia, hydrofluoric acid, oxygen difluoride, potassium, sodium, propargyl alcohol, calcium oxide, sodium hydroxide and chlorine trifluoride. A violent explosion occurs if a solution of perchloric acid in chloroform is poured over phosphorus pentoxide. Avoid formic acid, hydrogen fluoride, inorganic bases, metals, oxidants, water. Readily absorbs moisture from air to form meta-, pryo-, or orthophosphoric acid. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Powder and fumes in the air are irritating to eyes and the respiratory tract. Particles in contact with eye react vigorously and even a small amount may cause permanent burns. Contact with the skin will cause severe burns. Ingestion will damage the gastrointestinal tract. Corrosive to skin, mucous membranes and eyes. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
PHOSPHORIC ANHYDRIDE reacts violently and exothermically with water. The heat can ignite surrounding or admixed combustible materials. Undergoes hazardous or violent reactions with metal hydroxides and oxides, formic acid, hydrogen fluoride and hydrofluoric acid, iodides, metals (in particular potassium and sodium), oxidizing agents (bromine pentafluoride, chlorine trifluoride, perchloric acid, oxygen difluoride, hydrogen peroxide), ammonia, and proparygl alcohol. [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1781; EPA, 1998]. A violent explosion occurs if a solution of perchloric acid in chloroform is poured over phosphorus pentaoxide [EPA, 1998].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)

Response Recommendations

Firefighting - Response recommendations if the chemical is on fire (or near a fire).

Non-Fire Response - Response recommendations if the chemical isn't on fire (or near a fire).

Protective Clothing - Recommendations for protective gear and, in some cases, a table of breakthrough times for protective materials.

First Aid - Recommended first aid treatment for people exposed to the chemical.

List of data sources.
Firefighting
Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special protective clothing. Keep combustibles away from spilled material.

Does not support combustion. Do not get water inside container. For small fires, use dry chemical or carbon dioxide. For large fires, flood fire area with water from a distance. Do not get solid stream of water on spilled material. Spray cooling water on containers that are exposed to flames until well after fire is out. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Do not use water on material itself. Neutralize spilled material with crushed limestone, soda ash, or lime. Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. Cover solids with a plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in rain or fire fighting water. Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Water spill: Use natural barriers or oil spill control booms to limit spill travel. Use natural deep water pockets, excavated lagoons, or sand bag barriers to trap material at bottom. Remove trapped material with suction hoses. (AAR, 2003)
Protective Clothing
For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. (EPA, 1998)
First Aid
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Phosphorus Pentoxide Exposure: Signs and symptoms of acute exposure to phosphorus pentoxide may include severe burns, pain, shock, intense thirst, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, and "smoking stools." The breath and feces may have a garlicky odor. A symptom-free period of several days may follow. Exposure to phosphorus pentoxide may also result in bloody vomitus and diarrhea, jaundice, liver enlargement with tenderness, renal damage, hematuria (bloody urine), and either oliguria (scanty urination) or anuria (suppression of urine formation). Headache, convulsions, delirium, coma, cardiac arrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse may occur. If phosphorus pentoxide contacts the eyes, severe irritation and burns, blepharospasm (spasmodic winking), lacrimation (tearing), and photophobia (heightened sensitivity to light) may occur. Eye contact may lead to a total destruction of the eyes. Victims may experience spontaneous hemorrhaging of phosphorus pentoxide-contaminated skin and mucous membranes.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to phosphorus pentoxide may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to phosphorus pentoxide.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. RUSH to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to phosphorus pentoxide.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. Brush nonadherent phosphorus pentoxide from skin areas, then flush skin with water. Immerse exposed skin areas in water or cover with a wet dressing.
5. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. Keep exposed eyes covered with wet compresses.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. RUSH to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Activated charcoal may be administered if victims are conscious and alert. Use 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) for children, 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) for adults, with 125 to 250 mL (1/2 to 1 cup) of water.
4. Promote excretion by administering a saline cathartic or sorbitol to conscious and alert victims. Children require 15 to 30 g (1/2 to 1 oz) of cathartic; 50 to 100 g (1-3/4 to 3-1/2 oz) is recommended for adults.
5. Ambulate (walk) and give water to the victims.
6. RUSH to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

This section contains physical properties, flammability limits, and toxic thresholds for this chemical (see definitions of each property). More property data is available for common chemicals.

Guide to toxic levels of concern (AEGLs, ERPGs, TEELs, and IDLH).

List of data sources.
Molecular Formula:
  • P2O5 or P4O10
Flash Point: Not Flammable (EPA, 1998)
Lower Explosive Limit: data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit: data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 644.0 ° F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 1.0 mm Hg at 723.2 ° F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density: data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 2.39 (EPA, 1998)
Boiling Point: Sublimes at 572° F (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 141.96 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
AEGL: data unavailable
ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
1.0 mg/m3 10.0 mg/m3 50.0 mg/m3
(AIHA, 2008)
TEEL: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

Regulatory Information

Regulatory Names - Names under which this chemical is regulated under several U.S. federal laws: CAA (Clean Air Act of 1990), CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, also known as Superfund), EPCRA (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, also known as SARA Title III), and RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976).

CAA RMP - Indicates whether this chemical is regulated under Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, which lists about 100 toxic, flammable, or explosive hazardous substances. (Section 112(r) mandates the Risk Management Plan regulations.) For listed chemicals, the Threshold Quantity (from 40 CFR 68) is also shown. Facilities that use more than the threshold quantity of a listed chemical in a process are subject to the CAA accidental release prevention provisions.

CERCLA - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as a hazardous substance under CERCLA. For listed chemicals, the Reportable Quantity (from 40 CFR 302) is also shown. Facilities that spill more than the reportable quantity of a listed chemical must report it to federal, state, and local governments.

EHS (EPCRA 302) - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as an Extremely Hazardous Substance under Section 302 of EPCRA. For listed chemicals, the Threshold Planning Quantity (from 40 CFR 355) is also shown. Facilities that store more than the threshold quantity of an EHS chemical must meet the reporting, community right-to-know, and emergency planning requirements of EPCRA.

TRI (EPCRA 313) - Indicates whether this chemical is listed as a toxic chemical under Section 313 (Toxics Release Inventory) of EPCRA. Facilities that manufacture, store, or use significant amounts of Section 313 chemicals may be required to submit annual reports about any releases into the environment (see 40 CFR 372).

RCRA Chemical Code - 4-character identification code assigned to this substance under RCRA.
Regulatory Names: none
CAA RMP: Not a regulated chemical.
CERCLA: Not a regulated chemical.
EHS (EPCRA 302): Not a regulated chemical.
TRI (EPCRA 313): Not a regulated chemical.
RCRA Chemical Code: none

Alternate Chemical Names

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names, synonyms, and foreign names.