Substance profile
Chromyl chloride
Chromyl chloride is a deep red liquid; appears black under reflected light with a pungent odor.
01 · Identification
What Chromyl chloride is
Chromyl chloride is a deep red liquid; appears black under reflected light with a pungent odor. Its molecular formula is Cl2CrO2 and its molecular weight is 154.9 g/mol. It boils at 117 °C, melts at -96.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Chromyl chloride
- chromyl dichloride
- chromic oxychloride
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 |
|---|---|
| H271 | May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser. |
| H350i | May cause cancer by inhalation. |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P261, P272, P273, P280, P301, P308, P310, P313, P331, P333, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Chromyl chloride 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 | 117 °C (242.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 117.22 °C (243 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 116.11 °C (241 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -96.5 °C (-141.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -96.67 °C (-142 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.91 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.96 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.91 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Hydrolyzes vigorously on contact with water | HSDB | |
| Soluble in carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide, benzene, nitrobenzene, phosphorus oxychloride, chloroform | HSDB | ||
| Soluble in ether, acetic acid | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 20 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 19.6 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Noncombustible Liquid, but a powerful oxidizer. | NIOSH | |
| Vapor density | 5.3 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| Corrosivity | Will cause severe corrosion of common metals. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Chromyl chloride
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Storage class (TRGS 510): Strongly oxidizing hazardous materials
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Reacts violently with water, organic materials, alcohols
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
CHROMIUM OXYCHLORIDE is a powerful and often violent oxidizing agent. Reacts readily with many inorganic and organic materials in the absence of a dilutent. Contact with hydrogen sulfide or phosphine can cause ignition. Contact with phosphorus tribromide, acetone, ethanol, ether, and turpentine causes ignition. Contact with moist phosphorus or with phosphorus trichloride leads to explosive reaction. Contact with ammonia causes incandescence. Reacts with sodium azide to form chromyl azide, which is explosive in the absence of a dilutent. Causes ignition of flowers of sulfur and of urea on contact. [Bretherick, 1979, p. 822-823].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Chromyl chloride in the storage compatibility matrix →