Substance profile
Tin tetrachloride
Tin tetrachloride is a colorless fuming liquid with an ACRID odor.
01 · Identification
What Tin tetrachloride is
Tin tetrachloride is a colorless fuming liquid with an ACRID odor. Its molecular formula is Cl4Sn and its molecular weight is 260.5 g/mol. It boils at 114 °C, melts at -33 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Tin tetrachloride
- stannic chloride
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 |
|---|---|
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H412 | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P273, P280, P301, P310, P331, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Tin 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 | 114.15 °C (237.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| 114 °C (237.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| 114.1 °C (237.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Melting point | -33 °C (-27.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| Density | 2.34 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 2.26 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 2.232 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | White or slightly yellow crystals or fused small lumps; slight hydrochloric acid odor; very sol in water; sol in alcohol | stannic chloride pentahydrate | HSDB |
| Soluble in acetone, ethanol, gasoline, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, kerosene, methanol | HSDB | ||
| Sol in cold water (decomposes in hot water), carbon disulfide | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 18 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| 18.0015 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 10 mmHg | at 10 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Violent reaction with;; turpentine; ethylene oxide; alkyl nitrates. | potassium | HSDB |
| Vapor density | 9 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 318.75 °C (605.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to metals | HSDB | |
| Will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, & coatings. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Tin tetrachloride
Storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Outside or detached storage is preferred.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
STANNIC CHLORIDE REACTS WITH TURPENTINE, PRODUCING HEAT AND SOMETIMES FLAME.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
STANNIC CHLORIDE readily hydrolyzes to form hydrochloric acid in aqueous solution or moist air. Combination of stannic chloride with turpentine is strongly exothermic, and may lead to ignition [Mellor, 1941, Vol. 7, 446].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Tin tetrachloride in the storage compatibility matrix →