Chemical Name: Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate
CAS Number: 7784-13-6
Synonyms: Aluminum trichloride, hexahydrate; Aluminium chloride solution
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, water treatment, deodorant manufacture, catalyst in organic synthesis
Manufacturer Information: Contact details, including phone number and address of supplier or distributor
Emergency Contact: Local emergency services number and company emergency hotline
GHS Classification: Skin Corrosive (Category 1B), Eye Damage (Category 1), Acute Toxicity Oral (Category 4)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; harmful if swallowed; contact may cause irritation to mucous membranes, severe coughing if inhaled
Pictograms: Corrosion, Exclamation Mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist; wash hands thoroughly after handling; wear protective gloves, clothing, eye, and face protection; in case of inadequate ventilation, use respiratory protection
Chemical Name: Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate
Concentration: Typically 98% or higher
CAS Number: 7784-13-6
Impurities: Trace amounts of iron, other metal chlorides may be present depending on source
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek medical attention immediately if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush affected area with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical help for persistent irritation or burns
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing, get medical attention promptly
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, drink plenty of water, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, seek immediate medical aid
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or foam; water may worsen situation if in contact with active material
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Avoid water jet as it may generate corrosive fumes
Specific Hazards: May produce hydrogen chloride gas or aluminum oxide fumes at high temperatures
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus
Firefighting Advice: Stay upwind, avoid inhaling vapors, contain runoff with barriers if possible
Personal Precautions: Use appropriate personal protection (gloves, goggles, respirator for dust or fumes), evacuate unnecessary personnel
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewage, waterways, or confined areas; dike spilled liquid if safe to do so
Spill Cleanup Methods: Ventilate area, collect spilled material using non-reactive absorbent, place in suitable container for disposal, wash spill site after material pickup is complete
Safe Handling Guidance: Avoid contact with skin and eyes, prevent inhalation of dust or mist, use only in well-ventilated areas, always handle with care and wear proper PPE
Storage Requirements: Keep container tightly closed in a dry, cool, well-ventilated space; protect from moisture and incompatible materials such as alkalis and oxidizing agents; store in original container with clear labeling
Incompatible Materials: Water, bases, organic materials, metals, especially in powder form
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL - Not established; ACGIH TLV - Not established for hexahydrate, use nuisance dust limits where applicable
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation or general dilution ventilation; use chemical fume hood if available
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), safety goggles with side shields, face shield, lab coat, closed-toe footwear; use NIOSH-approved respirator if airborne exposure is possible
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, do not eat or drink in work area, remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Appearance: White to slightly yellow crystalline solid
Odor: Faint, pungent
pH (1% solution): 2.2 - 3.5 (acidic)
Melting Point: 100°C (water loss occurs)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility in Water: Readily soluble
Density: 2.4 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Not significant (non-volatile solid)
Other: Deliquescent (absorbs moisture from air)
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended handling and storage; unstable in moisture and temperatures above melting point
Incompatible Substances: Strong bases, water, oxidizing substances, reducing agents, metals, organic compounds
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Hydrogen chloride gas, aluminum oxide, potentially toxic metal chloride fumes
Reactivity: Reacts vigorously with water and moist air, produces heat and corrosive byproducts
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Acute Effects: Burns to eyes and skin, irritation to respiratory tract, potential abdominal pain or vomiting if swallowed
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause dermatitis or respiratory sensitization
Toxicity Data: LD50 Oral (rat): Approximately 3311 mg/kg
Symptoms: Redness, itching, swelling, tearing, cough, sore throat, abdominal cramping
Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic life due to acidity and aluminum content
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compound, not biologically degradable
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low; forms insoluble complexes in nature
Mobility in Soil: Moves with water, can acidify soils, may disrupt local ecosystems if released in large quantities
Waste Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste; observe local, regional, and national regulations; do not dispose in drains or natural waterways; use licensed chemical waste handler for off-site disposal
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers should be rinsed and disposed of with proper labeling; all residues considered hazardous waste
UN Number: UN 3260
Proper Shipping Name: Corrosive Solid, Acidic, Inorganic, N.O.S. (contains Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate)
Hazard Class: 8 (corrosive substances)
Packing Group: III
Special Precautions: Protect containers from physical damage; avoid moisture; transport under appropriate conditions; reference local regulations for environmental hazards during transport
TSCA Inventory: Listed
EU Classification: Xn (Harmful), C (Corrosive)
SARA Title III: Not listed as a reportable extremely hazardous substance; check for state-level reporting
Workplace Labeling: Must display hazard pictograms and precautionary statements according to GHS and OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Other Regulations: Refer to REACH, Canadian WHMIS, Japanese Industrial Safety and Health Law for further restrictions or reporting requirements
