1.2: Safety

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 211976

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

NOTES: The first use of a chemical is designated in the procedure with an asterisk. Additional information about the chemicals will be found in Appendix A.

The organic liquids used in quantity in this experiment: dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethoxyethane, cyclopentadiene, and dicyclopentadiene are volatile and possess noxious vapors. Avoid inhalation. Carry out operations with these organic liquids in the hood.

Dicyclopentadiene: Noxious liquid. Handle with usual caution: do not ingest. If it is spilled on skin, rinse well with water.
Potassium hydroxide (KOH): Very caustic chemical. Handle with caution and keep away from skin and clothing. If it spills, wash well with soap and rinse with plenty of water.
Iron Chloride (FeCl₂•4H₂O): Ferrous salts can be toxic. Handle with usual caution: do not ingest.
Dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO, (CH₃)₂SO]: Not considered toxic. However, it increases the permeability of the skin to other substances. Therefore, it may render other chemicals more hazardous by allowing entry through the natural skin barrier. Substances ordinarily regarded as harmless on the skin can become dangerous when the nonpermeability of the skin has been altered by application of DMSO. If DMSO is spilled, wash well with soap and plenty of water.
Hydrochloric acid (HCl): Very acidic liquid. Contact with skin will cause burns. If any gets on you or your clothing, remove affected clothing, rinse immediately with water.
Acetone (CH₃COCH₃): acetone is an organic solvent and should be treated with normal caution: keep away from flames and dispose as organic waste. It has the ability to increase the permeability of skin and should not be spilled on hands, etc.
Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄): Concentrated solutions are irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. Essentially nontoxic, the compound is used to flavor foods and for many other commercial applications.
Acetic anhydride [(CH₃CO)₂O]: Combustible organic liquid. Strong acetic odor. Reacts with alcohol to form ethyl acetate, water to form acetic acid. Avoid contact with skin and eyes, as the compound produces irritation and necrosis of tissues.
Methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂): Common organic solvent. It is flammable and volatile. Prolonged exposure causes liver damage. Use in the hood; avoid prolonged breathing of vapor. If spilled soak up with vermiculite and dispose of as organic waste.
Hexane (C₆H₁₄), ethyl acetate (CH₃CO₂C₂H₅), dimethoxyethane (CH₃OCH₂CH₂OCH₃): Common organic solvents handle accordingly: keep away from flames, do not ingest or inhale, dispose of as organic waste.
Chloroform (CHCl₃): Properties similar to methylene chloride, handle accordingly. Suspected carcinogen.
Alumina (Al₂O₃): Common chromatographic support. It is not considered hazardous except when inhaled or ingested in large quantities.
Ferrocene (( η⁵ -C₅H₅)₂Fe): An organometallic compound of moderate toxicity. Handle with the usual caution. Prevent ingestion, inhalation and skin contact. Chronic exposure may cause liver damage. Heating to decomposition emits acrid smoke, irritating fumes.
Acetylferrocene ((η⁵ -C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵ -C₅H₄(COCH₃))): Highly toxic organometallic compound. Handle with caution. Prevent ingestion, inhalation and skin contact. Heating to decomposition emits acrid smoke, irritating fumes.