Cyanogen Chloride

Toxic Gases & Vapors -> Cyanides

Reactive agents - 2nd degree

-> NIOSH Emergency Response Categories

Acrid, choking odor

Lachrimating and irritating odor

Strong acid/pungent odor

1.222 at 32 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink

1.186 at 20 °C/4 °C

Density: 1.24 g/cu cm at 0 °C; 1.19 g/cu cm at 15 °C; Enthalpy of Fusion: 11.39 kJ/mol

Density/Specific gravity: 1.128 at 4 °C/4 °C

Liquid density 10.0 lb/gal. Shipped as a liquid confined under its own vapor pressure

1.22 (liquid at 32 °F)

Colorless volatile liquid or gas

Colorless gas or liquid (below 55 °F) ...[NOTE: Shipped as a liquified gas. A solid below 20 °F.]

7 % (NIOSH, 2024)

Soluble in water, ethanol, ethyl ether

Soluble in oxygenated solvents

Soluble in water at 68 °F

In water, 27.5 mg/L at 25 °C

In water, 6X10+4 mg/L at 0 C

Not Applicable. Not flammable. (USCG, 1999)

51 °C

55.6 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)

13 °C

13.8 °C

55 °F

13.1 °C @760 [mm Hg]

55 °F

When heated to decomposition ... it will ... produce highly toxic and corrosive fumes such as /hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen oxides/.

Toxic gases and vapors (such as hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide) may be released when cyanide decomposes. /Cyanide/

Reacts slowly with water or water vapor to form toxic hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen chloride.

20 °F (USCG, 1999)

-6.55 °C

-6 °C

20 °F

-6.5 °C

20 °F

Danger

H280 (65.1%): Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated [Warning Gases under pressure]

P260, P262, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P316, P301+P330+P331, P302+P352, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P320, P321, P330, P361+P364, P363, P391, P403+P233, P405, P410+P403, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 195 reports by companies from 8 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Danger

H280: Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated [Warning Gases under pressure]

Chemical: Cyanogen chloride ((CN)Cl)

Status: Active Update: 19-10-2016 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/18184

Cyanogen chloride: Does not have an individual approval but may be used as a component in a product covered by a group standard. It is not approved for use as a chemical in its own right.

The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act requires public and private employers to provide information about hazardous substances at their workplaces. (N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1 et. seq.)

IMAP assessments - Cyanogen chloride ((CN)Cl): Environment tier I assessment

- Indoor Air: Cyanogen chloride (CK) can be released into indoor air as a liquid spray (aerosol) or as a gas.

For information on chemical warfare blood agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

· Some may burn but none ignite readily.

Not combustible. Heating will cause rise in pressure with risk of bursting. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.

Not combustible. Heating will cause rise in pressure with risk of bursting. Gives off irritating or toxic gases including cyanide gas in a fire.

Not flammable.

For information on chemical warfare blood agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

· TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.

Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] In animal inhalation studies, cyanogen chloride causes severe irritation of the respiratory tract and pulmonary edema. Workers treating cyanide plating solutions with hypochlorite had to leave the work area because of eye and nose irritation when the air concentration was measured at 0.7 ppm (1.78 mg/m3). Has a pungent odor detectable at 1 ppm; Causes irritation at >1 ppm and death within 30 minutes at 48 ppm; [ACGIH] Effects are similar to those of hydrogen cyanide; A pulmonary irritant and lacrimator; [HSDB]

1589 125

1589 125(inhibited)

For information on chemical warfare blood agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. In case of fire: keep cylinder cool by spraying with water. NO direct contact with water.

- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive, and/or toxic gases.

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer for medical attention.

ON FROSTBITE: rinse with plenty of water, do NOT remove clothes. Refer for medical attention .

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

For information on chemical warfare blood agents see the ERG Criminal or Terrorist Use of CBR Agents. (ERG, 2024)

General First Aid:

(General first aid procedures)

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

TIH (Toxic Inhalation Hazard) - Term used to describe gases and volatile liquids that are toxic when inhaled. Some are TIH materials themselves, e.g., chlorine, and some release TIH gases when spilled in water, e.g., chlorosilanes. [ERG 2016].

For small fires, use dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

For large fires, use water spray, fog, or regular foam. Move containers from the fire area if it is possible to do so without risk to personnel. Do not get water inside containers. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists.

For fire involving tanks, fight the fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after the fire is out. Do not direct water at the source of the leak or at safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tanks. Always stay away from tanks engulfed in fire.

Run-off from fire control may cause pollution.

For more Fire Fighting Procedures (Complete) data for CYANOGEN CHLORIDE (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Fireproof if in building. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Cool. ... A harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very quickly on loss of containment.

In most cases, cyanogen chloride is used in the gas phase immediately after preparation. Relatively small amounts are condensed and stored in gas containers as liquids. Steel cylinders, which must meet specific requirements in each country, can be used for shipment. The condensed and bottled Cyanogen chloride must be very pure; moreover, it must be mixed with a stabilizing agent (generally sodium pyrophosphate) to inhibit exothermic polymerization caused by impurities.

Environmental considerations - Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, or holding area to contain liquid or solid material. /SRP: If time permits, pits, ponds, lagoons, soak holes, or holding areas should be sealed with an impermeable flexible membrane liner./ Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash or cement powder. /Cyanogen chloride, inhibited/

Environmental considerations - Water spill: Add dilute caustic soda. Add calcium hypochlorite. Adjust pH to neutral (pH 7). /Cyanogen chloride, inhibited/

Environmental considerations - Air spill: Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors. Vapor knock down water is corrosive or toxic and should be diked for containment. /Cyanogen chloride, inhibited/

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Ventilation. NEVER direct water jet on liquid. Remove vapor cloud with fine water spray. Do NOT wash away into sewer. Chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus.

Wear nitrile rubber gloves, eye protection, laboratory coat and self-contained breathing apparatus if necessary. Cover the spill with a 1:1:1 mixture by weight of sodium carbonate or calcium carbonate, clay cat litter (bentonite) and sand. Transfer to a beaker of water in the fume hood. Slowly add to an excess of an alkaline solution of calcium hypochlorite or household bleach. After 24 hours, wash into drain with at least 50 times its volume of water. Discard solid residue with normal refuse.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

Principles and methods for destruction of chemical weapons: ... "Destruction of chemical weapons" means a process by which chemicals are converted in an essentially irreversible way to a form unsuitable for production of chemical weapons, and which in an irreversible manner renders munitions and other devices unusable as such. ... Each /nation/ shall determine how it shall destroy chemical weapons, except that the following processes may not be used: dumping in any body of water, land burial or open-pit burning. It shall destroy chemical weapons only at specifically designated and appropriately designed and equipped facilities. ... Each /nation/ shall ensure that its chemical weapons destruction facilities are constructed and operated in a manner to ensure the destruction of the chemical weapons; and that the destruction process can be verified under the provisions of this Convention./Chemical weapons/

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number D003, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number P033, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

For more Disposal Methods (Complete) data for CYANOGEN CHLORIDE (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Antidotes to cyanide poisoning include hydroxocobalamin and sodium nitrite, which release the cyanide from the cytochrome system, and rhodanase, which is an enzyme occurring naturally in mammals that combines serum cyanide with thiosulfate, producing comparatively harmless thiocyanate. Oxygen therapy can also be administered. (L97)

Endocrine

Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, cardiovascular system

Exposure to high levels of cyanide for a short time harms the brain and heart and can even cause coma, seizures, apnea, cardiac arrest and death. Chronic inhalation of cyanide causes breathing difficulties, chest pain, vomiting, blood changes, headaches, and enlargement of the thyroid gland. Skin contact with cyanide salts can irritate and produce sores. (L96, L97)

LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water flea) age 24 hr; Conditions: static bioassay; Concentration: 0.04 mg/L for 24 hr

LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water flea) age 24 hr; Conditions: static bioassay; Concentration: 0.029 mg/L for 48 hr

LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water flea) age 5 day; Conditions: static bioassay; Concentration: 0.086 mg/L for 24 hr

LC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water flea) age 5 day; Conditions: static bioassay; Concentration: 0.065 mg/L for 48 hr

The environmental fate of cyanogen chloride is largely site specific in that the biotic and abiotic characteristics of soil and water greatly influence the ability of this compound to persist, absorb, degrade, dissociate, and complex(1). However, because of its volatility and rapid rate of hydrolysis, cyanogen chloride is considered a nonpersistent agent(2,3).

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Data on cyanogen chloride fate in soil were not available; however, it is highly volatile and hydrolyzes rapidly in the environment(1).

AQUATIC FATE: Cyanogen chloride is extremely volatile from water surfaces and will hydrolyze rapidly(1) with half-lives ranging from 1 minute 45 seconds to 10 hours at 5 °C in ambient waters(2).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), cyanogen chloride, which has a vapor pressure of 1.22X10+3 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a gas in the ambient atmosphere. Cyanogen chloride does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(3) and, therefore, is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.

inhalation, skin absorption (liquid), ingestion (liquid), skin and/or eye contact (liquid)

Cyanogen chloride (CK) can affect the body by inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or eye contact.

Inhalation (L96) ; oral (L96) ; dermal (L96)

Organic nitriles decompose into cyanide ions both in vivo and in vitro. Consequently the primary mechanism of toxicity for organic nitriles is their production of toxic cyanide ions or hydrogen cyanide. Cyanide is an inhibitor of cytochrome c oxidase in the fourth complex of the electron transport chain (found in the membrane of the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells). It complexes with the ferric iron atom in this enzyme. The binding of cyanide to this cytochrome prevents transport of electrons from cytochrome c oxidase to oxygen. As a result, the electron transport chain is disrupted and the cell can no longer aerobically produce ATP for energy. Tissues that mainly depend on aerobic respiration, such as the central nervous system and the heart, are particularly affected. Cyanide is also known produce some of its toxic effects by binding to catalase, glutathione peroxidase, methemoglobin, hydroxocobalamin, phosphatase, tyrosinase, ascorbic acid oxidase, xanthine oxidase, succinic dehydrogenase, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Cyanide binds to the ferric ion of methemoglobin to form inactive cyanmethemoglobin. (L97)

Sore throat. Drowsiness. Confusion. Nausea. Vomiting. Cough. Unconsciousness. Symptoms may be delayed.

ON CONTACT WITH LIQUID: FROSTBITE. MAY BE ABSORBED! Redness. Pain.

ON CONTACT WITH LIQUID: FROSTBITE. Redness. Pain.

irritation eyes, upper respiratory system; cough, delayed pulmonary edema; lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting; irreg heartbeat; irritation skin (liquid)

- Intense irritation, severe spasmodic blinking (blepharospasm), and tear production (lacrimation).

- Possible bitter, acrid burning taste, followed by constriction or numbness of the throat, salivation, nausea, and vomiting (emesis).

The following link will take the user to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Test Agent Search Results page, which tabulates all of the "Standard Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies", "Developmental Studies", and "Genetic Toxicity Studies" performed with this chemical. Clicking on the "Testing Status" link will take the user to the status (i.e., in review, in progress, in preparation, on test, completed, etc.) and results of all the studies that the NTP has done on this chemical.[Available from, as of August 23, 2013: http://ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/ntp_tox/index.cfm?fuseaction=ntpsearch.searchresults&searchterm=506-77-4]

Chlorine cyanide

Endocrine

5 x 10 ^-2 mg/kg-day

P033; As stipulated in 40 CFR 261.33, when cyanogen chloride, as a commercial chemical product or manufacturing chemical intermediate or an off-specification commercial chemical product or a manufacturing chemical intermediate, becomes a waste, it must be managed according to federal and/or state hazardous waste regulations. Also defined as a hazardous waste is any container or inner liner used to hold this waste or any residue, contaminated soil, water, or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into water or on dry land, of this waste. Generators of small quantities of this waste may qualify for partial exclusion from hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR 261.5(e)).

D003; A solid waste containing cyanogen chloride may or may not become characterized as a hazardous waste when subjected to the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure listed in 40 CFR 261.24, and if so characterized, must be managed as a hazardous waste.

This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Cyanogen chloride is produced, as an intermediate or final product, by process units covered under this subpart.

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 10 lb or 4.54 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b).

Toxic pollutant designated pursuant to section 307(a)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and is subject to effluent limitations. /Cyanides/

Cyanogen chloride is designated as a hazardous substance under section 311(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further regulated by the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 and 1978. These regulations apply to discharges of this substance. This designation includes any isomers and hydrates, as well as any solutions and mixtures containing this substance.

The procedures described in the "Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses" indicate that, except possibly where a locally important species is very sensitive, freshwater aquatic organisms and their uses should not be affected unacceptably if the four day average concentration of cyanide does not exceed 5.2 ug/l more than once every three years on the average and if the one hour average concentration does not exceed 22 ug/l more than once every three years on the average. /Cyanide/

The procedures described in the "Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses" indicate that, except possibly where a locally important species is very sensitive, saltwater aquatic organisms and their uses should not be affected unacceptably if the one hour average concentration of cyanide does not exceed 1.0 ug/l more than once every three years on the average. /Cyanide/

Cyanogen chloride

1

10000

2.67

15

Toxic chemical that can be released at a facility.

Cyanogen chloride is apparently converted to cyanide ion in vivo by a reaction with hemoglobin and glutathione, which eventually liberates the CN ion.

Forms cyanide in the body

The small quantity of cyanide always present in human tissues is metabolized at the approximate rate of 17 ug/kg x min, primarily by the hepatic enzyme rhodanese, which catalyzes the irreversible reaction of cyanide and a sulfane to produce thiocyanate, a relatively nontoxic compound excreted in the urine. ... The limiting factor under normal conditions is the availability of a sulfane as a substrate for rhodanese, and sulfur is administered therapeutically as sodium thiosulfate to accelerate this reaction. The lethal dose of cyanide is time dependent because of the ability of the body to detoxify small amounts of cyanide via the rhodanese-catalyzed reaction with sulfane. A given amount of cyanide absorbed slowly may cause no biological effects even though the same amount administered over a very short period of time may be lethal. /Hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride/

Cyanogen chloride is apparently converted to cyanide ion in vivo by a reaction with hemoglobin and glutathione, which eventually liberates the CN ion.

Cyanogen chloride reacts rapidly with both serum and red cells, but cyanide is produced only from ther reaction with red cells. As would be expected...., higher percentage conversions of cyanogen chloride to cyanide are obtained with washed red cells than with whole blood. ... Cyanogen chloride reacts rapidly with rat hemoglobin, no more than 1% of the original cyanogen chloride added being left after 5 sec from a mixture of cyanogen chloride (17.3 ug/mL) and of hemoglobin (5-7 vol O2%). ... It would appear that the essential reactions in the production of of cyanide from cyanogen chloride and blood are an initial reaction with hemoglobin followed by liberation of cyanide by reaction with glutathione. However, cyanogen chloride reacts directly with glutathione. The rate of reaction is of the same order as with hemoglobin. ... Since the rate of reaction of cyanogen chloride with hemoglobin and with glutathione is of the same order, it is possible that both reactions contribute to the conversion of cyanogen chloride to cyanide in vivo.

Organic nitriles are converted into cyanide ions through the action of cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver. Cyanide is rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body. Cyanide is mainly metabolized into thiocyanate by either rhodanese or 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase. Cyanide metabolites are excreted in the urine. (L96)

Much of total body burden appears to reside in the erythrocyte, bound to endogenous methemoglobin and, to a lesser extent, normal hemoglobin. However, cyanide is detectable in virtually every organafter significant exposures, particularly those organs with high blood flow.

Used in organic synthesis, a warning gas in fumigants, and as a military poison gas; May be generated in a reaction of hypochlorite and cyanide solutions in waste water treatment; [ACGIH] Used in metal cleaning and ore refining; [ATSDR ToxProfiles]

Acid and Alkali Cleaning of Metals [Category: Clean]

For cyanogen chloride (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 025801) there are 0 labels match. /SRP: Not registered for current use in the U.S., but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./

Used for the commercial production of cyanuric chloride, a starting material for pesticides, dyes, and drugs

Chemical synthesis; military poison gas

Warning agent in fumigant gases

/It is prepared/ by action of chlorine on hydrogen cyanide.

Cyanogen chloride is produced by action of chlorine on moist sodium cyanide suspended in carbon tetrachloride and kept cooled to -3 °C, followed by distillation.

The preparation of the industrially important ClCN has been developed extensively; the synthetic pathways are as follows: 1) Electrolysis of an aqueous solution of HCN and NH4Cl. 2) Reaction of complex cyanide salts (e.g., Na2(Zn(CN)4)) with chlorine below 20 °C. 3) Formation of ClCN from cyanide salts (mostly NaCN) and chlorine in an exothermic reaction; in a continuous process, sprayed aqueous NaCN solution is contacted with chlorine, and the reaction heat evaporates the ClCN. 4) Processes involving hydrogen cyanide and chlorine as the most convenient starting materials; the reaction is carried out in aqueous solution ... in organic and inorganic solvents, and in the gas phase. To avoid the byproduct HCl, attempts have been made to reoxidize HCl to chlorine with oxygen and hydrogen peroxide in catalyzed reactions. 5) Chlorinolysis of cyanogen in the gas phase at 300-600 °C in the presence of a catalyst. 6) Pyrolysis of cyanuric chloride at 600-900 °C in the presence of a charcoal catalyst. and 7) High-temperature syntheses based on elemental chlorine, nitrogen, and carbon. Usually, these processes lead to impure ClCN; therefore, in many cases the product must be purified before further use.

Cyanogen chloride ((CN)Cl): ACTIVE

/The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an international treaty which bans the development, production, stockpiling, and transfer or use of chemical weapons. The Convention mandates the destruction and prohibition of chemical weapons and related facilities and provides for restrictions on international trade in toxic chemicals and precursors./ The Convention's monitoring and verification measures involve submission of declarations regarding ... /Schedule 1, 2, and 3 chemicals/ and inspections by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons of the facilities where these chemicals are produced. ... Schedule 3 chemicals ... /may/ have been stockpiled or used as weapons, but ... are produced /and used/ in large quantities for purposes not prohibited by the Convention (2). Cyanogen chloride is listed in the CWC Annex on Chemicals under Schedule 3 (1).

Cyanogen chloride is an intermediate in the detoxification of cyanide-containing wastewater with sodium hypochlorite solutions; therefore, the cyanogen halide must be removed immediately by appropriate hydrolysis.

Cyanogen chloride has been identified as a by-product of aqueous chlorination of purines and pyrimidines as a result of chlorination of potable water and wastewater.

One of the many dual-use compounds thought to be located at one or more nonstockpile locations in the continental US