Chemical Properties
Colorless, very mobile liquid; characteristic odor; fumes
faintly in moist air and becomes cloudy because of the separation
of sulfuric acid.
General Description
A colorless fuming liquid with a pungent odor. Irritates the eyes and mucous membranes. Corrosive to metals and tissue.
Air & Water Reactions
Fumes in air. Decomposes violently and exothermically in water or moist air to form sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid [Merck, 11th ed. 1989].
Reactivity Profile
PYROSULFURYL CHLORIDE is strongly acidic. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, alcohols, amines and other bases. May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291]. Red and white forms of phosphorus react vigorously with the chloride.
Hazard
Decomposes violently with water to sulfu-
ric acid and hydrochloric acid. Corrosive to tissue.
Health Hazard
CORROSIVE and/or TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.
Fire Hazard
EXCEPT FOR ACETIC ANHYDRIDE (UN1715), THAT IS FLAMMABLE, some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily. May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Substance will react with water (some violently), releasing corrosive and/or toxic gases and runoff. Flammable/toxic gases may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. Substance may be transported in a molten form.
Safety Profile
A very poisonous material that is also corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Violent reaction with water. Vigorous reaction with phosphorus. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of Cland SOx. See also CHLOROSULFONIC ACID.
