Sodium azide

  • Smite
  • Azide
  • Azium
Formula NaN3
Structure
Description Colorless to white crystalline solid, odorless in water.
Uses In the preparation of hydrazoic acid, lead azide, pure sodium. Fungicide, herbicide.

Registry Numbers and Inventories.
CAS 26628-22-8
EC (EINECS/ELINCS) 247-852-1
EC Index Number 011-004-00-7
EC Class Very toxic; Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas; Dangerous for the Environment
EC Risk Phrase R 28 32 50/53
EC Safety Phrase S 28 45 60 61
RTECS VY8050000
RTECS class Agricultural Chemical and Pesticide; Tumorigen; Drug; Mutagen; Human Data
UN (DOT) 1687
Merck 12,8724
Beilstein/Gmelin 11473 (G)
RCRA P105
EPA OPP 245100
Swiss Giftliste 1 G-2571
Canada DSL/NDSL DSL
US TSCA Listed
Austrailia AICS Listed
New Zealand Listed
Japan ENCS (MITI) Listed
Korea ECL Listed

Odor Threshold Odor threshold Odorless
Properties.
Formula N3Na
Formula mass 65.01
Melting point, °C 275
Decomposition point, °C 280 - 330
Vapor density (air=1) 2.2
Saturation Concentration 9.87 ppm (0.0010%) at 20 C (calculated)
Density 1.85 g/cm3
Solubility in water 417 g/L
Thermal expansion 0.000114/K (30 C)

Hazards and Protection.
Storage Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances. Keep away from water. Do not store in metal containers. Keep containers tightly closed.
Handling Wash thoroughly after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Use only in a well ventilated area. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Keep container tightly closed. Do not ingest or inhale.
Protection Eyes: Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical safety goggles as described by OSHA's eye and face protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European Standard EN166. Skin: Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure. Clothing: Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators Follow the OSHA respirator regulations found in 29CFR 1910.134 or European Standard EN 149. Always use a NIOSH or European Standard EN 149 approved respirator when necessary.
Small spills/leaks Vacuum or sweep up material and place into a suitable disposal container. Clean up spills immediately, using the appropriate protective equipment. Avoid generating dusty conditions. Remove all sources of ignition. Provide ventilation.
Disposal code 21
Stability Stable under normal shipping and handling conditions. However, may decompose if heated.
Incompatibilities Sodium azide is self-reactive. It will decompose at 275C. Incompatible with benzoyl chloride, potassium hydroxide, bromine, carbon disulfide, chromyl chloride, copper, dibromomalononitrile, dimethyl sulfate, lead, nitric acid, silver, mercury. Reacts with lead, silver, mercury to form shock sensitive and explosive metal azides.
Decomposition Nitrogen oxides, hydrazoic acid.

Fire.
Flash Point,°C 300
Fire fighting Wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Will react with water to form toxic and corrosive fumes. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated. Combustible material; may burn but does not ignite readily. Extinguishing media: Do NOT get water inside containers. For small fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or water spray. For large fires, use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam, or water spray. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.
Fire potential Moderately flammable. Combustion with moderate heating.
Hazards When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides; explosive. Forms explosive-sensitive materials with some metals such as lead, silver, mercury or copper. May form toxic hydrazoic acid fumes in fire. Containers may explode in fire. Avoid acids, benzoyl chloride and potassium hydroxide; bromine; carbon disulfide; copper; lead; nitric acid; barium carbonate; sulfuric acid; chromium (II) hypochlorite, dimethyl sulfate, water, dibromomalononitrile, lead, silver, copper, mercury.
Combustion products Poisonous gases may be produced when heated.
NFPA Health 4
  Flammability 0  
  Reactivity 1  

Health.
Exposure limit(s) TLV (as (ceiling values)): 0.11 ppm as hydrazoic acid vapor ppm; 0.29 mg/m3 as sodium azide (ACGIH 1996). NIOSH REL: C 0.1 ppm (as HN3) skin C 0.3 mg/m3 (as NaN3) skin
Poison_Class 2
Exposure effects Chronic inhalation and ingestion may cause effects similar to those of acute inhalation and ingestion.
   Ingestion May be fatal if swallowed. Causes gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This chemical is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Exposure may cause a rapid fall in blood pressure, weakness, headache, collapse and death. Solutions of sodium azide release hydrazoic acid vapor, which is highly toxic.
   Inhalation May be fatal if inhaled. Dust is irritating to the respiratory tract. May cause effects similar to those described for ingestion. Rapidly absorbed.
   Skin Causes skin irritation. May be fatal if absorbed through the skin. Substance is rapidly absorbed through the skin.
   Eyes Causes eye irritation. Contact with dust or vapor may cause systemic toxic effects.

First aid
 
   Ingestion Do NOT induce vomiting. If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water. Get medical aid immediately.
   Inhalation Remove from exposure to fresh air immediately. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid. DO NOT use mouth-to-mouth respiration.
   Skin Get medical aid. Immediately flush skin with plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. SPEEDY ACTION IS CRITICAL!
   Eyes Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid.

Transport.
UN number 1687
Response guide 153
Hazard class 6.1
Packing Group II  
USCG CHRIS Code SAZ  
HS Code 2850 00 50  
Std. Transport # 4923465