Product Name: Guanidine Hydrochloride
Synonyms: Guanidinium chloride, Aminoformamidine hydrochloride
Chemical Formula: CH5N3·HCl
CAS Number: 50-01-1
Recommended Uses: Laboratory reagent, protein denaturant, RNA isolation applications
Supplier: Always check updated contact details from your lab’s safety coordinator
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (Oral, Dermal), Eye irritation, Skin irritation
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin and serious eye irritation
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation, wash hands thoroughly after handling, use protective gear, seek medical attention if exposed
Chemical name: Guanidine Hydrochloride
Common name: Guanidinium chloride
Concentration: 99-100% by weight
Impurities: Usually negligible, trace manufacturing residuals may exist, but main hazard relates to pure material itself
Inhalation: Move affected person into fresh air and keep at rest, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek immediate medical attention
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin under running water for at least 15 minutes, wash with soap, monitor for burns, seek prompt medical advice
Eye Contact: Immediately flush with copious amounts of water for a minimum of 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, always consult an eye care professional
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, never induce vomiting, give water to dilute if person is conscious, observe for lightheadedness or nausea, contact a poison control center
Suitable Extinguishing Agents: Use water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or alcohol-resistant foam
Unsuitable Extinguishing Agents: Avoid high power water jets that may spread the chemical
Hazardous Combustion Products: Hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides fumes
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing if fighting fires involving this compound
Special Precautions: Evacuate area, prevent runoff from entering drains or watercourses
Personal Precautions: Wear appropriate protective clothing, gloves, goggles; avoid dust formation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so, do not let product enter drains or waterways, notify authorities in case of large spills
Cleanup Methods: Collect spilled material in dry, clean containers for disposal, ventilate area, wash surfaces thoroughly after removal, dispose of contaminated material as hazardous waste
Handling: Work under fume hood if possible, avoid breathing dust, do not ingest, use only with adequate ventilation, wash hands before eating or drinking
Storage: Keep container tightly closed, store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatibles especially strong oxidizers, acids, store in acid-resistant containers, keep away from direct sunlight, moisture, food, or feed
Occupational Exposure Limits: No Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) specific exposure limit, keep dust levels below 1 mg/m³ TWA as good practice
Engineering Controls: Use local and general ventilation to keep airborne concentrations low
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), splash goggles, lab coat, respirator if airborne concentrations are high, eye wash stations and safety showers nearby
Hygiene Measures: Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse, frequent handwashing recommended, do not touch eyes or mouth in laboratory settings
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder
Odor: Faint, characteristic amine odor
Molecular Weight: 95.53 g/mol
Melting Point: 181–183°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Decomposes upon heating
Solubility: Highly soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol
pH: 4.5–6 (5% solution in water)
Density: About 1.36 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Negligible under standard conditions
Flash Point: Not applicable as product does not burn easily
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended temperatures and pressures, avoid prolonged exposure to heat and moisture
Reactivity: Can react vigorously with strong oxidizers, acids, and bases
Decomposition Products: Releases hydrogen chloride, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and carbon oxides when decomposed thermally
Conditions to Avoid: High temperatures, contact with incompatible materials, humid environments
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 936 mg/kg, moderate toxicity if swallowed or inhaled
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Irritant, prolonged or repeated exposure leads to burns or dermatitis
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes serious eye irritation, can damage cornea or mucous membranes
Sensitization: Usually not a respiratory or skin sensitizer in standard chemical labs
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure not fully studied, but repeated skin contact increases risk of irritation or allergic response
Target Organ Effects: Primarily gastrointestinal, skin, eye irritation; no evidence of carcinogenicity at doses commonly encountered in laboratory and industrial use
Ecotoxicity: May be harmful to aquatic organisms in concentrated solutions or spills, always keep out of lakes, streams, sewers
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable, remains in environment if released
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low, unlikely to bioaccumulate due to water solubility
Mobility in Soil: High mobility, dissolves and disperses quickly in water systems
Other Information: Avoid release to environment, use containment, collect spills quickly and responsibly
Waste Disposal: Dispose as hazardous chemical waste, use licensed disposal contractors, incinerate in accordance with local regulations
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse and offer for recycling or disposal following chemical control guidelines, labels must remain visible until destruction
Environmental Precautions: Do not dispose of in municipal waste, keep out of groundwater and soil, follow local laws
UN Number: UN 2811
Proper Shipping Name: Toxic solid, organic, n.o.s. (Guanidine Hydrochloride)
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Labels: Toxic
Special Precautions: Secure containers carefully, notify carrier about hazards, keep away from food and feed during transport, ensure all documentation is accurate for customs and safety checks
US Regulations: Listed under TSCA Inventory, not subject to SARA Section 313 reporting; safety preparation as per OSHA HazCom Standard
EU Regulations: Registered under REACH, hazard classification matches CLP Regulation
Other Jurisdictions: Consult national chemical safety offices for specific compliance, often subject to chemical inventory notifications, employer must provide training as mandated by workplace safety laws
