Germane

  • Germanium hydride
  • Germanium tetrahydride
Formula Ge4
Structure
Description Germane is a colorless gas with a pungent odor.

Registry Numbers and Inventories.
CAS 7782-65-2
EC (EINECS/ELINCS) 231-961-6
RTECS LY4900000
RTECS class Other
UN (DOT) 2192
Merck 12,4414
Beilstein/Gmelin 587 (G)
Swiss Giftliste 1 G-5482
Canada DSL/NDSL DSL
US TSCA Listed
Japan ENCS (MITI) Listed

Properties.
Formula GeH4
Formula mass 76.62
Melting point, °C -164.8
Boiling point, °C -88.5
Vapor pressure, mmHg 70.5 (-125 C)
Vapor density (air=1) 2.65
Density 1.523 g/cm3 (-142 C)
Solubility in water Insoluble
Heat of fusion 0.84 kJ/mol

Hazards and Protection.
Storage Keep in a cool, dry, dark location in a tightly sealed container or cylinder. Keep away from incompatible materials, ignition sources and untrained individuals. Secure and label area. Protect containers/cylinders from physical damage.
Handling All chemicals should be considered hazardous. Avoid direct physical contact. Use appropriate, approved safety equipment. Untrained individuals should not handle this chemical or its container. Handling should occur in a chemical fume hood.
Protection Wear appropriate protective gloves, clothing and goggles -- as recommended by the manufacturer. Always wear thermal protective clothing when handling refrigerated/cryogenic liquids.
Respirators Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Small spills/leaks Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel hazard. Use water spray to knock-down vapors.
Stability No data.
Incompatibilities Incompatible with acids, alcohols, amines, and aldehydes.
Decomposition The substance may spontaneously ignite on contact with air. Decomposes on heating above 350 C and on contact with oxidizers, such as nitric acid.

Fire.
Fire fighting Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Solid streams of water may be ineffective. Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide.
Fire potential Flammable; may be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May form explosive mixtures with air.
Hazards Flammable; may be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May form explosive mixtures with air. May polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Some of these materials may react violently with water. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
Combustion products Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
NFPA Health 4
  Flammability 4  
  Reactivity 3  
  Special W

Health.
Exposure limit(s) NIOSH REL: TWA 0.2 ppm (0.6 mg/m3)
Poison_Class 1
Exposure effects The toxological properties of this substance have not been fully investigated.
   Inhalation May be toxic/fatal if inhaled. Contact may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
   Skin May be toxic/fatal if absorbed through skin. Contact may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
   Eyes Contact may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.

First aid
 
   Ingestion Seek medical assistance.
   Inhalation Move victim to fresh air. Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; induce artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
   Skin Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. Immediately flush with running water for at least 20 minutes. In case of contact with liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water.
   Eyes Immediately flush with running water for at least 20 minutes.

Transport.
UN number 2192
Response guide 119
Hazard class 2.3
PRTC T
Std. Transport # 4920354