Product Name: Tetramethylammonium Bromide
Synonyms: Quaternary ammonium bromide, Tetra-MA bromide
Chemical Formula: C4H12BrN
CAS Number: 64-20-0
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, organic synthesis, phase-transfer catalyst
Supplier Details: Manufacturer and distributor details, contact phone number for emergencies
Emergency Telephone: National chemical emergency hotline, available 24/7
Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation; Category 4), Eye irritation (Category 2), Skin irritation (Category 2)
GHS Label Elements: Warning symbol, exclamation mark pictogram
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin, or if inhaled; causes skin and eye irritation
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection; do not breathe dust or fumes; wash hands thoroughly after handling; avoid release to the environment
Potential Health Effects: Can irritate respiratory tract and expose users to systemic toxicity affecting muscles and nervous system over time; possible effects include headache, nausea, or confusion after significant exposure
Routes of Exposure: Ingestion, skin contact, eye contact, inhalation
Chemical Name: Tetramethylammonium Bromide
Concentration: 98–100%
CAS Number: 64-20-0
Impurities/Additives: Standard lab grades list water and organic solvents as impurities at less than 2%
Molecular Weight: 194.07 g/mol
Inhalation: Move the person to fresh air immediately; provide oxygen if breathing becomes difficult; seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes; get medical advice if skin irritation develops
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open; seek immediate medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; do not induce vomiting without specific medical advice; seek emergency medical care
Most Important Symptoms and Effects: Respiratory irritation, gastric distress, burning eyes and skin, delayed nervous system effects after high exposure
Advice for Medical Providers: Treat symptomatically; monitor renal and neurological function
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: High pressure water streams may spread material
Fire Hazards: Thermal decomposition produces toxic gases including nitrogen oxides, hydrogen bromide, methylamines; product is not considered highly combustible but can aid fire if exposed to high temperatures
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective firefighting gear
Specific Fire Procedures: Approach from upwind, contain runoff to prevent it entering drains or waterways
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate, use personal protective equipment including gloves, coat, goggles, and mask
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe; avoid discharge into environment, waterways, or sewage
Cleanup Methods: Sweep or scoop up while avoiding dust generation; transfer to a container for disposal; ventilate area; wash spill area with soap and water
Special Procedures: Report significant spills to appropriate environmental agencies
Handling: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing; do not breathe dust; use in a chemical fume hood; follow good hygiene practices—wash hands before breaks and after work
Storage Conditions: Keep containers tightly closed, in well-ventilated dry areas; store away from strong acids, oxidizing agents, or moisture sources
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, strong acids, halogenating agents, moisture
Storage Temperature: Room temperature, protect from humidity and sunlight
Engineering Controls: Work with adequate local exhaust or chemical fume hood; avoid dust and vapor generation
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves; safety goggles or full-face shield; lab coat or apron; suitable respiratory protection when exposure risks exist
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling and remove contaminated clothing promptly
Control Parameters: No established OSHA or ACGIH exposure limits; practice workplace monitoring if repeated exposure is likely
Environmental Exposure Controls: Prevent contamination of soil, surface, and groundwater
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Faint amine odor
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH (5% Solution): 6.0–8.0
Melting Point: 236–239°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Non-flammable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at 20°C
Vapor Density: Not determined
Relative Density: ~1.38 g/cm³
Solubility in Water: Soluble
Solubility in Other Solvents: Soluble in methanol, ethanol; slightly soluble in acetone
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: Above 200°C
Viscosity: Not determined
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal conditions, sensitive to moisture
Reactivity: No hazardous reactivity under recommended conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Prolonged exposure to moisture, high temperatures, contact with incompatible substances
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, alkaline compounds, moisture
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, hydrogen bromide, methylamines
Polymerization: Will not occur under typical handling
Acute Toxicity (Oral LD50 – Rat): Approx. 60 mg/kg
Dermal Toxicity: Data limited, moderate hazard expected based on chemical class
Inhalation Toxicity: Data limited; irritation possible
Skin/Eye Irritation: Causes irritation on contact
Chronic Effects: May affect nervous system and muscles with prolonged or high-level exposure
Carcinogenicity: No data suggesting carcinogenicity in humans or animals
Genotoxicity: Not reported as mutagenic in standard studies
Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence from available data
Sensitization: No reliable reports of respiratory or skin sensitization
Possible Symptoms: Eye and respiratory tract irritation, skin redness, gastrointestinal upset if swallowed, headache
Aquatic Toxicity: Potential toxicity to aquatic organisms; data limited, expected to be moderately hazardous
Persistence and Degradability: Not easily biodegradable; may persist in environmental compartments
Bioaccumulative Potential: Not likely to bioaccumulate significantly
Mobility in Soil: Readily dissolves and migrates in water; possible contamination risk for ground and surface waters
Other Adverse Effects: Bromine ion may have toxic action on aquatic invertebrates if released in significant amounts
Precautionary Notes: Avoid environmental discharge; treat spillage as potentially hazardous
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose of as hazardous chemical waste in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations; do not discharge to drain or environment
Container Disposal: Empty containers retain product residues, handle as hazardous; triple rinse and manage according to hazardous waste requirements
Recommended Agency: Licensed professional waste disposal contractors
Precautionary Measures: Do not mix with incompatible materials during disposal; label waste containers clearly
UN Number: Not regulated for transport by ground, sea, or air under most chemical regulations
Transport Hazard Class: Not assigned
Packing Group: Not assigned
Special Precautions: Store tightly capped in transport; protect from physical damage and environmental exposure
ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA: Non-hazardous for general transport, though local regulations may apply
Environmental Precautions: In case of transport incident, avoid environmental contamination and notify appropriate authorities
OSHA Hazard Communication Status: Hazardous chemical as per OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA Inventory Status: Listed
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting under Section 313
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Listed
WHMIS Classification: D2B – Toxic Material
Other International Inventories: Listed on EINECS/ELINCS and Australian AICS
Label Requirements: Safety labels in accordance with OSHA, GHS, and local standards
Additional Notes: End users must ensure workplace compliance with applicable regional and national safety regulations
