Substance profile
Silicon tetrachloride
Silicon tetrachloride is colorless, clear, mobile, fuming liquid with a suffocating odor.
01 · Identification
What Silicon tetrachloride is
Silicon tetrachloride is colorless, clear, mobile, fuming liquid with a suffocating odor. Its molecular formula is Cl4Si and its molecular weight is 169.9 g/mol. It boils at 59 °C, melts at -70 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as corrosives.
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 |
|---|---|
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH014
Precautionary statements: P264, P280, P302, P305, P313, P332, P337, P338, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Silicon tetrachloride 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 | 59 °C (138.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 57.61 °C (135.7 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 57 °C (134.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Melting point | -70 °C (-94 °F) | HSDB | |
| -68 °C (-90.4 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 1.48 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.48 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.482 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Miscible with benzene, ether, chloroform, petroleum ether | HSDB | |
| Miscible in all proportions with carbon tetrachloride, tin tetrachloride, titanium chloride, sulfur mono- & dichlorides | HSDB | ||
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 195.016 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 236 mmHg | at 25 °C, Calculated from experimentally derived coefficients | HSDB | |
| 236 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Vapor density | 5.9 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| 7.59 g/l | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 244.72 °C (472.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to most metals when water is present | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Silicon tetrachloride
Storage conditions
Storage temperature: ambient.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Will react with water or steam to produce heat, toxic and corrosive fumes. /Silicon chloride/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Chlorosilanes, such as SILICON TETRACHLORIDE, are compounds in which silicon is bonded to from one to four chlorine atoms with other bonds to hydrogen and/or alkyl groups. Chlorosilanes react with water, moist air, or steam to produce heat and toxic, corrosive fumes of hydrogen chloride. They may also produce flammable gaseous H2. They can serve as chlorination agents. Chlorosilanes react vigorously with both organic and inorganic acids and with bases to generate toxic or flammable gases. This material is incompatible with alkali metals and dimethyl sulfoxide.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Silicon tetrachloride in the storage compatibility matrix →