Material Safety Data Sheet: Phosphorus Pentasulfide
Identification
Product Name: Phosphorus Pentasulfide
Chemical Formula: P2S5
Synonyms: Tetraphosphorus Decasulfide, Phosphoric Sulfide
CAS Number: 1314-80-3
Recommended Use: Used in lubricant additives, production of pesticides, flotation agents, and chemical manufacturing
Supplier Identifiers: Supplier details and emergency contact information are found on the transport packaging or invoice; refer to chemical procurement documentation for updates
Hazard Identification
GHS Classification: Flammable solid; Acute toxicity (oral and inhalation); Skin and eye irritant; Hazardous to aquatic life
Label Elements: Pictograms include flame, skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, and aquatic hazard symbol
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable, produces toxic fumes on contact with water or acids, can cause severe irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory system, dangerous to aquatic organisms with long-lasting effects
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Chemical Name: Phosphorus Pentasulfide
Common Names: Phosphoric Sulfide, Tetraphosphorus Decasulfide
Concentration: 98% or greater by weight
Impurities: Minor amounts of phosphorus trisulfide may be present
Molecular Weight: 222.27 g/mol
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Move person away from exposure. Seek medical attention immediately if there is any difficulty breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove contaminated clothing.
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Seek medical advice for burns, irritation, or persistent pain.
Eye Contact: Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes; keep eyelids open and move eye back and forth while rinsing. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Seek urgent medical care.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water without swallowing. Do not induce vomiting. Give water to dilute chemical if victim is conscious. Seek immediate medical attention.
Note to Physicians: Treat symptomatically, paying attention to possible respiratory distress from inhaling toxic fumes.
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical or sand. Do not use water, foam, or carbon dioxide—may react violently or cause hazardous gases.
Fire Hazards: Reacts with water and moist air to produce toxic phosphine and hydrogen sulfide gas, both highly flammable and poisonous. Can self-ignite in humid air.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full protective gear including SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus). Avoid downwind exposure due to release of dense toxic smoke.
Firefighting Precautions: Fight fire from a safe distance or protected location. Evacuate area and keep unauthorized personnel away.
Thermal Decomposition: Releases sulfur oxides and phosphorus oxides when burned.
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Warn everyone to avoid the spill area. Wear full protective gear (chemical-resistant clothing, gloves, goggles, and a respirator suitable for phosphine exposure). Evacuate all non-essential personnel.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spill from reaching drains, sewers, rivers, or soil. Report unintended environmental releases to responsible authorities.
Spill Cleanup:** Shovel spilled solid into dry, clean, labeled containers. Avoid water during cleanup. Place waste in covered containers for proper disposal. Ventilate area and monitor for gas buildup.
Decontamination Methods: Wash spill area with soda ash or lime after removal of solid, avoid generating dust or mist.
Handling and Storage
Handling: Only trained personnel should handle. Work in a dry, well-ventilated environment away from ignition sources, food, and incompatible chemicals. Use spark-proof tools and equipment. Do not allow water to contact product.
Storage: Keep in a tightly sealed, moisture-proof, inert atmosphere container. Store in a cool, dry, ventilated space, away from heat, acids, and oxidizing agents. Separate from combustibles and reducing agents. Post signs prohibiting smoking or open flames.
Special Precautions:** Store away from fire exits and emergency access routes. Use only with proper containment and spill control systems.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: Phosphine—0.3 ppm (as phosphorus pentasulfide reacts with moisture to release phosphine gas). ACGIH TLV: 0.3 ppm for phosphine.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or process enclosures to control airborne levels below exposure limits. Provide emergency eye wash stations and showers near work areas.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical splash goggles, face shield, flame-resistant clothing, and impervious gloves (nitrile, neoprene, or butyl rubber). Use respirator certified for phosphine and hydrogen sulfide if risk of inhalation exists.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking after work. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Maintain strict control on food and drink in work area.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Yellow-green to gray lumps, granules, or powder, faint odor of rotten eggs or garlic
Odor: Characteristic, strong, unpleasant; may change with water contact to give off more pungent odor
Melting Point: 288°C (550°F)
Boiling Point: Decomposes below boiling
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Insoluble in water, decomposes to toxic gases on contact
Density: ~2.09 g/cm³
Flash Point: 143°C (290°F), open cup
Autoignition Temperature: Can self-ignite in moist air
pH: Not applicable (reacts with water)
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under cool, dry, inert storage. Decomposes with moisture, heat, or exposure to strong acids.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid all sources of moisture or humidity, excessive heat, incompatible substances like oxidizers or acids, and open flames.
Incompatible Materials: Water, acids, oxidizing agents, halogens, alcohols, strong reducing agents.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Phosphine gas, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur oxides, phosphorus oxides, and elemental sulfur can form.
Polymerization:** Does not undergo hazardous polymerization under normal conditions.
Toxicological Information
Plausible Exposure Routes: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Effects: Severe irritation to eyes, skin, respiratory system. Contact with moisture releases toxic phosphine and hydrogen sulfide gases that can cause coughing, dizziness, headaches, nausea, or pulmonary edema.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged inhalation associated with liver, kidney, and nervous system damage; potential for chronic respiratory illness. Chronic exposure studies in animals show possible reproductive harm.
Sensitization:** Skin contact can cause an allergic response in some individuals.
Carcinogenicity:** No current evidence of carcinogenic potential according to NTP, IARC, or OSHA.
Target Organs: Lungs, skin, mucous membranes, liver, kidneys, nervous system.
Ecological Information
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life, especially fish and invertebrates, due to formation of toxic phosphine and sulfide products
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down when in contact with water, but toxic breakdown products can persist in the environment
Bioaccumulation Potential: Both phosphorus and sulfur compounds can build up in aquatic organisms
Mobility in Soil: Decomposes upon contact with soil moisture, migrating as toxic gases that can affect local air and water quality
Other Adverse Effects: Disrupts ecosystem balance in spill areas due to acute toxicity and chemical reactivity.
Disposal Considerations
Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste. Do not flush to drains or the environment. Use a licensed hazardous waste disposal contractor.
Contaminated Packaging: Dispose of containers and packaging as hazardous materials, after thorough decontamination by professionals.
Local Regulations: Comply with national and state hazardous waste regulations. Notify authorities in case of unintentional release.
Special Disposal Instructions: Neutralize residues carefully with dry soda ash or lime before collection. Avoid generating dust. Place in marked hazardous waste containers for collection.
Transport Information
UN Number: 1341
Proper Shipping Name: Phosphorus Pentasulfide
Transport Hazard Class: 4.1 - Flammable solid
Packing Group: I (highest hazard level)
Special Precautions for Transport: Keep container sealed, dry, and upright. Do not transport with oxidizers, food, or feed. Emergency responders must carry proper PPE.
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant. Mark package with marine pollutant label.
Additional Transport Info: Check specific guidelines for rail, air, or road shipment based on regulatory authority requirements.
Regulatory Information
OSHA: Classified as hazardous under workplace regulations.
TSCA: Listed on United States TSCA inventory.
SARA Title III (Sections 302/304/313): Subject to reporting requirements due to acute toxicity and environmental risk.
CERCLA: Listed as a hazardous substance; spills above reportable quantities require immediate notification.
RCRA: U-listed hazardous waste.
EU REACH: Registration required.
Other International Regulations: Listed as dangerous under transport codes globally; strict controls on use, handling, and release exist.