Chemical Properties
Stibine is a colorless gas. Characteristic disagreeable odor. It is produced by dissolving zinc/antimony or magnesium-antimony in hydrochloride acid
Uses
Has been used as fumigating agent.
General Description
A colorless gas with a disagreeable odor. A moderate fire hazard that may yield toxic fumes when heated above 392°F. Irritating to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Heavier than air. If exposed to prolonged fire or intense heat, the container may rupture violently or rocket.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable.
Reactivity Profile
An explosion occurs if Antimonous hydride is heated with ammonia or chlorine. Antimonous hydride and concentrated nitric acid explode [Mellor 9:397 (1946-47)].
Health Hazard
TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
Flammable; may be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Some of these materials may react violently with water. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and flammable gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
Potential Exposure
Stibine is used as a fumigating agent. Exposure to stibine usually occurs when stibine is released from antimony-containing alloys during the charging of storage batteries, when certain antimonial drosses are treated with water or acid, or when antimony-containing metals come in contact with acid. Operations generally involved are metallurgy, welding or cutting with blow torches; soldering, filling of hydrogen balloons; etching of zinc; and chemical processes.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering a drug or other inhalation therapy.
Shipping
UN2676 Stibine, Hazard Class: 2.3; Labels: 2.3-Poisonous gas, 2.1-Flammable gas, Hazard Zone A. UN3260 Corrosive solid, acidic, inorganic, n.o.s., Hazard class: 8; Labels: 8-Corrosive material, Technical Name Required. Cylinders must be transported in a secure upright position, in a well-ventilated truck. Protect cylinder and labels from physical damage. The owner of the compressed gas cylinder is the only entity allowed by federal law (49CFR) to transport and refill them. It is a violation of transportation regulations to refill compressed gas cylinders without the express written permission of the owner.
Incompatibilities
A highly flammable gas. Incompatible with acids, halogenated hydrocarbons; oxidizers, moisture, chlorine, ammonia. Reacts violently with chlorine, concentrated nitric acid or ozone. Decomposes in air. Thermally unstable: quick decomposition .190C producing metallic antimony and explosive hydrogen gas.
Waste Disposal
Return refillable compressed gas cylinders to supplier. Dissolve in hydrochloric acid; add water to produce precipitate; add acid to dissolve again; precipitate with H2S; filter and dry precipitate and return to supplier.
Definition
ChEBI: Stibane is an antimony hydride and a mononuclear parent hydride. It is a conjugate base of a stibonium.
Source
Produced accidentally as a result of
the generation of nascent hydrogen in the presence
of antimony; formed when acid solutions
of antimony compounds are treated with
reducing agents.
