Substance profile
Arsine
Arsine is a colorless gas with a disagreeable garlic odor.
01 · Identification
What Arsine is
Arsine is a colorless gas with a disagreeable garlic odor. It boils at -62.5 °C, melts at -116 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as carcinogens.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P260, P270, P271, P273, P304, P310, P314, P391, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Arsine properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | -62.5 °C (-80.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| -62.78 °C (-81 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -62.44 °C (-80.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -116 °C (-176.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -117.22 °C (-179 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.0032 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 3.186 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| 1.689 g/cm³ | at 85 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in alcohol and alkalies | HSDB | |
| Soluble in chloroform and benzene | HSDB | ||
| In water, 28 mg/100 mL at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 11320 mmHg | at 21.11 °C | NIOSH |
| 11000 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 7823 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | NA (Gas) | NIOSH | |
| Flammable gas | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 5.1 % by volume | NIOSH | |
| 4.5 % by volume | ICSC | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 78 % by volume | NIOSH | |
| Vapor density | 2.66 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.7 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| 2.69 (air = 1) | OSHA | ||
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 1.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Odor threshold from AIHA: all referenced values < 1.0 ppm | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 99.95 °C (211.9 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Arsine
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Odor
The odor cannot always be relied upon for detection of the gas even though it often has an offensive smell resembling that of onions or carbide, which should arouse suspicion.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Arsine
Storage conditions
Store in areas clear of food or food products and combustible materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Occupational exposure: there is a high potential for generation of arsine gas when inorganic arsenic is exposed to nascent (freshly formed) molecular hydrogen.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ARSINE decomposes into its elements (arsenic, gaseous hydrogen) when heated to 300 °C. Can form accidentally by the reaction of arsenic impurities with mineral acids (hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid) in the presence of common metals (iron, zinc). A reducing agent---not oxidized by air at room temperature [Kirk-Othmer, 3rd ed., Vol. 3, 1978, p. 251], but may react vigorously with other oxidizing agents [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 279]. Moderately explosive in combination with chlorine or nitric acid. When heated to decomposition or ignited, it emits highly toxic fumes of metallic arsenic.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Arsine in the storage compatibility matrix →