Substance profile
Strychnine
Strychnine is a brilliant, colorless cubes from chloroform-ether and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Strychnine is
Strychnine is a brilliant, colorless cubes from chloroform-ether and is odorless. It melts at 284 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as > NIOSH Emergency Response Categories.
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 |
|---|---|
| H310 | Fatal in contact with skin. |
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P270, P273, P280, P301, P302, P310, P330, P352, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Strychnine 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 | 270 °C (518 °F) | at 5 mmHg (reduced pressure) | HSDB |
| Melting point | 284 °C (543.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 267.78 °C (514 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.36 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.36 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | 6.7 g/L ethanol | HSDB | |
| In water, 160 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| Low | NIOSH | ||
| Low (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Combustible Solid, but difficult to ignite. | NIOSH | |
| Material may burn but does not ignite readily. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | Material may burn but does not ignite readily. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO | |
| Odor threshold | Detection thresholds: 1.60 x 10(-6) mol/L water; 6.0 x 10(-4) mg/L water; 4.0 x 10(-4) g/L water | Strychnine hydrochloride | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Strychnine
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. ... Storage class (TRGS 510): 6.1B: Non-combustible, acute toxic Cat. 1 and 2 / very toxic hazardous materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
STRYCHNINE is an alkaloid derivative. It is a base and forms water soluble salts with acids.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Strychnine in the storage compatibility matrix →