Product Name: Trifluoromethanesulphonic Acid Synonyms: Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, Triflic acid Chemical Formula: CF3SO3H CAS Number: 1493-13-6 Recommended Uses: Catalyst, laboratory reagent, specialty chemical applications Supplier Contact: Refer to chemical supplier for emergency and routine communication lines, with priority given to phone numbers and direct email Emergency Telephone Number: National emergency response hotlines or local poison center; typical listing should always verify applicability for rapid response
Classification: Corrosive to metals, Skin corrosion, Serious eye damage, Acute toxicity (oral, inhalation, dermal) Label Elements: GHS symbol: Corrosive (GHS05); Signal word: Danger Hazard Statements: May cause severe skin burns and eye damage; May cause respiratory irritation; Harmful if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin Precautionary Statements: Do not breathe vapors or spray; Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye, and face protection; Wash hands thoroughly after handling Potential Health Effects: Direct contact leads to deep skin burns, severe eye injury or blindness, damage to the respiratory tract and mucous membranes upon inhalation; Ingestion results in corrosive injury to mouth, throat, and stomach Environmental Hazards: May cause damage to aquatic life with long lasting effects; Runoff into waterways should be strictly prevented
Chemical Name: Trifluoromethanesulphonic Acid Concentration: Typically > 99% CAS Number: 1493-13-6 Impurities: Minor trace acids or moisture possible; not considered significant at concentrations specified Additives: None anticipated based on standard laboratory and production supply chains
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air immediately; Seek emergency medical attention, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, avoid mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in case of chemical exposure Skin Contact: Remove all contaminated clothing; Rinse skin under running water for a minimum of 15 minutes, seek immediate medical attention; Do not neutralize on skin Eye Contact: Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 20 minutes, keeping eyelids open; Remove any contact lenses if present and easy to do; Seek urgent ophthalmological care Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; Rinse mouth repeatedly; Seek emergency medical help without delay; Never give fluids to an unconscious person Most Important Symptoms: Severe burns, pain, redness, blistering, impaired respiration, vision loss Advice for Medical Responders: Treat as a strong acid exposure; Symptomatic and supportive measures including airway management and pain control
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide; Water spray can be used to cool containers, but not direct jets Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use a direct stream of water; Spattering of acid possible Specific Hazards: Thermal decomposition produces toxic and corrosive fumes: sulfur oxides, hydrogen fluoride, carbon oxides Protective Equipment: Full chemical suit, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), gloves, boots Firefighters’ Guidance: Withdraw from area unless response is immediate and trained; Prevent acid runoff from entering sewers or waterways Hazardous Combustion Products: Sulfur dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, carbonyl fluoride, perfluoroalkyl compounds
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ensure suitable ventilation, prevent downwind exposure; Wear full PPE, chemical suit, acid-resistant boots, goggles, face shield, gloves Environmental Precautions: Prevent contamination of watercourses, soil or drains, contain runoff using barriers, report significant releases as required Methods for Containment: Stop leak if safe, dike area with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material Methods for Cleaning Up: Soak up spill with inert absorbent material (vermiculite, sand); Neutralize residue with sodium bicarbonate on large scale, transfer waste to acid-resistant container, ventilate area Disposal of Contaminated Material: Dispose as hazardous waste in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations
Handling: Only trained personnel permitted; Work in fume hood; Never add water to acid, always add acid slowly to water if dilution is required; Avoid inhalation, direct contact, or splashing Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area, in tightly closed corrosion-resistant containers (glass, PTFE, polyethylene); Keep separate from bases, oxidizers, combustibles, heavy metals Incompatible Materials: Cyanides, sulfides, bases, organic materials, aluminum, magnesium, strong oxidizing agents; Reacts exothermically Special Storage Measures: Use secondary containment; Label storage clearly; Limit quantities carried; Keep away from flames, heat sources
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established OSHA or ACGIH limits for this specific acid; Use workplace air monitoring for acid vapors Engineering Controls: Fume hoods, corrosion-resistant local ventilation, spill containment Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical splash goggles, face shield, acid-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene, butyl rubber), full-body suit, boots Respiratory Protection: Full-face respirator with acid gas cartridge for minor exposures, SCBA for emergencies Hygiene Measures: Remove contaminated clothing, wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking; Prohibit food and drink in work areas; Shower at end of shift Workplace Monitoring: Regular inspection of PPE integrity, environmental acid vapor sensors, spill response drills
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow, slightly viscous liquid Odor: Sharp, pungent pH: < 1 (extremely acidic in aqueous solution) Boiling Point: 162 °C Melting Point: -40 °C Flash Point: Not applicable (nonflammable under normal lab conditions) Solubility: Miscible with water, exothermic reaction; soluble in most organic solvents Vapor Pressure: < 2 hPa at 20°C Relative Density: 1.696 g/cm3 at 25°C Molecular Weight: 150.08 g/mol Evaporation Rate: Below water Vapor Density: Heavier than air Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not measurable (ionizes in water)
Chemical Stability: Stable under specified storage conditions; decomposes in presence of water with heat evolution Reactivity: Reacts violently with bases, alcohols, metals, reducing agents, organic compounds Hazardous Reactions: Violent neutralization with bases; Releases toxic and corrosive gases with metals and moisture Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to humidity, water, open flames, incompatible substances Incompatible Materials: Alkalis, ammonia, organic materials, acids of lower strength, metals prone to corrosion Hazardous Decomposition Products: Sulfur oxides, hydrogen fluoride, carbonyl fluoride, explosive gas formation from strong reactions
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): approximately 200 mg/kg; inhalation and dermal effects severe Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes deep, painful burns; necrosis possible Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Permanent corneal injury, risk of blindness Respiratory Sensitization: Coughing, choking, pulmonary edema on inhalation exposure Chronic Toxicity: Prolonged exposures may result in ulceration, dental erosion, airway restriction Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA; insufficient human studies Reproductive Toxicity: No adequate evidence, avoid exposure during pregnancy Symptoms of Exposure: Pain, redness, ulceration, vision impairment, airway damage Target Organs: Skin, eyes, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract
Ecotoxicity: High potential for harmful effects on aquatic organisms due to acidity, low dilution threshold Persistence and Degradability: Hydrolyzes rapidly in water; long-term impacts driven by local pH shock Bioaccumulation Potential: Low due to complete dissociation; no significant accumulation expected Mobility in Soil: High solubility and mobility; seeps through soil, acidifies substrate Other Adverse Effects: Contributes proton equivalents in water, leading to pH swings and ecosystem disruption
Disposal Methods: Neutralize slowly with sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate under controlled conditions; Do not allow undiluted product to reach sewage or waterways Contaminated Packaging: Rinse original containers with water (neutralize rinse); Dispose of with hazardous waste collection services Special Precautions: Strictly observe local hazardous waste disposal regulations; Documentation of quantities and collection required Transport Requirements: Prelabel waste streams; Document pH and neutralization status to minimize transport hazard class
UN Number: UN 2699 UN Proper Shipping Name: Trifluoromethanesulphonic acid Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances) Packing Group: II (medium danger) Labels Required: Corrosive identification, clear hazard pictograms, emergency contact on waybill Special Precautions for Transport: Use corrosion-resistant, leakproof packaging; Emergency spill kits on-board; Trained handlers only Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant; Avoid transport with incompatible substances Transport Regulations: Follow ADR/RID, IMDG, IATA rules as applicable
TSCA Status: Listed on US EPA Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory OSHA Classification: Highly Corrosive Material; Mandates communication of hazards to workers SARA Title III: Acute health and environmental hazard, not listed as a reportable quantity REACH Registration: Registered in the EU; Requires Safety Data Sheet transmission with each sale Canada WHMIS: Classified under Class E (Corrosive Materials) Inventory Listings: Present on AICS (Australia), DSL (Canada), ECL (Korea), ENCS (Japan) Specific State Regulations: Subject to strict workplace control under California Proposition 65 guidelines for acute corrosive risk
