Chemical Properties
A reddish-yellow mobile liquid or gas.
Irritating, pungent odor.
General Description
A reddish-yellow mobile liquid with an irritating odor. Melting point -66°C. Toxic by ingestion or inhalation, and an irritant to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Prolonged exposure of the containers to intense heat may result in their violent rupturing and rocketing. Used as an industrial disinfectant.
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water [Hawley]. Reacts with water or steam to produce hydrochloric acid.
Reactivity Profile
Bromine chloride is a strong oxidizing agent. May react vigorously with combustible materials and generate enough heat to start and support combustion. Decomposes above 50°F to produce highly toxic chlorine gas.
Health Hazard
TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Substance does not burn but will support combustion. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. These are strong oxidizers and will react vigorously or explosively with many materials including fuels. May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Some will react violently with air, moist air and/or water. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and/or corrosive gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket.
Potential Exposure
Used as an industrial disinfectant
First aid
Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency
medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not
breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim
ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration
with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way
valve or other proper respiratory medical device.
Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Clothing frozen
476 Bromine Chloride
to the skin should be thawed before being removed.
Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.
In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin
or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep
victim warm and quiet. Keep victim under observation.
Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Ensure
that medical personnel are aware of the material(s)
involved and take precautions to protect themselves.
Shipping
UN2901 Bromine chloride, Hazard Class: 2.3;
Labels: 2.3—Poisonous gas, 8—Corrosive material, 5.1—
Oxidizer Inhalation Hazard Zone B.
Incompatibilities
Dangerous, unstable material.
Decomposes above 10° C, releasing highly toxic chlorine
gas. A strong oxidizer. Contact with gas or liquefied gas
may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Reacts with
moisture, water or steam, forming corrosive hydrochloric
acid. Reacts violently with combustibles and reducing
agents; reactions may produce enough heat to both start
and support combustion. May be corrosive to metals.
Waste Disposal
Dispose of contents and container
to an approved waste disposal plant. All federal, state,
and local environmental regulations must be observed.
Uses
Bromine chloride (BrCl) is an irritating red, smelly liquid used to treat industrial and sewage
wastes.
