Density1.77 at 64 °F (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water; will sink
Solubilityless than 1 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)
Boiling Point410 °F at 760 mmHg (violent decomposition) (NTP, 1992)
Melting Point230 °F (decomposes) (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure · 2 items
1 mmHg at 97 °F ; 760 mmHg at 304 °F (NTP, 1992)
0.26 [mmHg]
Physical Description · 2 items
Chromium carbonyl appears as white crystalline or granular solid. Sublimes at room temperature. Burns with a luminous flame. (NTP, 1992)
White solid; Sublimes at room temperature; [CAMEO] Insoluble in water; Danger of explosion if heated; [MSDSonline]
Physicochemical properties
Safety & regulation
GHS classification
GHS Classification · 4 items
Danger
H301 (98.7%): Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]
P203, P261, P264, P270, P272, P273, P280, P301+P316, P302+P352, P318, P321, P330, P333+P317, P362+P364, P391, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)
Aggregated GHS information provided per 150 reports by companies from 6 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.
Hazard information
Regulatory Information · 3 items
Chemical: Chromium carbonyl (Cr(CO)6), (OC-6-11)-
Chromium hexacarbonyl: HSNO Approval: HSR005370 Approved with controls
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.)
Other Safety InformationIMAP assessments - Chromium carbonyl (Cr(CO)6), (OC-6-11)-: Human health tier I assessment
DOT LabelPoison
Fire HazardsFlash point data for this chemical are not available; however, it is probably combustible. (NTP, 1992)
Health Hazards · 1 item
SYMPTOMS: Exposure to this compound may cause irritation. Symptoms of exposure to this type of compound upon ingestion may include dizziness, intense thirst, abdominal pain, vomiting and shock. Skin contact with this type of compound may result in incapacitating eczematous dermatitis with edema and ulceration. Inhalation of this type of compound may cause painless ulceration, bleeding and perforation of the nasal septum accompanied by a foul nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, acute hepatitis with jaundice, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and an enlarged, tender liver. Ingestion of this type of compound may also lead to oliguria or anuria and death from uremia.
Chemistry & industry
Pharmacology
Metabolism/Metabolites · 1 item
Chromium is absorbed from oral, inhalation, or dermal exposure and distributes to nearly all tissues, with the highest concentrations found in kidney and liver. Bone is also a major storage site and may contribute to long-term retention. Hexavalent chromium's similarity to sulfate and chromate allow it to be transported into cells via sulfate transport mechanisms. Inside the cell, hexavalent chromium is reduced first to pentavalent chromium, then to trivalent chromium by many substances including ascorbate, glutathione, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Chromium is almost entirely excreted with the urine. (A12, L16)
Uses & manufacturing
UsesUsed as a catalyst for olefin polymerization, a gasoline additive, and to prepare chromous oxide; [Merck Index]
General Manufacturing InformationChromium carbonyl (Cr(CO)6), (OC-6-11)-: ACTIVE
Applications · 5 items
DescriptionChromium carbonyl is a colorless crystallinesubstance which sinters (forms a coherent mass withoutmelting) at 90℃. Molecular weight =220.06; Freezing/Melting point =110℃ (decomposes). Boilingpoint 5 explodes (in lieu of boiling) at 210℃. HazardIdentification (based on NFPA-704 M Rating System):Health 2, Flammability 1, Reactivity 0. Insoluble in water;possible reaction.
UsesIt is used as a catalyst for polymerization andisomerization of olefins. It is also used as anadditive to gasoline, to increase the octanenumber.
UsesChromiumhexacarbonyl is a volatile; air stable precursor of Chromium(0); widely used for thin film deposition - ALD and CVD. The thin films can be grown at room temperature and low pressure by laser CVD .
UsesIn catalysts for olefin polymerization and isomerization; gasoline additive to increase octane number; preparation of chromous oxide, CrO.
6.1 C · 6.1C - Combustible acute toxic Cat.3toxic compounds or compounds which causing chronic effects
Hazard Classifications
3 Oral · Acute Tox. 3 Oral
Toxicity
50 i.v · LD50 i.v. in mice: 100 mg/kg (Strohmeier)
Limited Quantities
5 L · 5.0 L (1.3 gallons) (liquid) or 5.0 kg (11 lbs) (solid)
Excepted Quantities
Max Inner Pack (30g or 30ml) and Max Outer Pack (1Kg or 1L)
Hazards Summary · 1 item
Skin contact: dermatitis; Inhalation: perforation of nasal septum, lacrimation, and acute hepatitis; [CAMEO] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Harmful if ingested, absorbed through skin, or inhaled; Decomposition of carbonyl compounds can yield carbon monoxide; [MSDSonline] A water-insoluble chromium [0] compound (chromium carbonyl) did not induce DNA damage in bacteria. [IARC] See Chromium.
Reactive GroupOrganometallics
Reactivity ProfileCHROMIUM CARBONYL decomposes violently at 410 °F. This compound is decomposed by chlorine and fuming nitric acid. It is incompatible with oxidizing agents. (NTP, 1992)
Air and Water ReactionsInsoluble in water.
Hazard Classes and Categories · 2 items
Acute Tox. 3 (98.7%)
Carcinogens
Safety & protection
Fire FightingFires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)
First Aid · 1 item
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
Nonfire Spill Response · 1 item
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If a spill of this chemical occurs, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with acetone and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with acetone to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with acetone followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
Isolation and EvacuationExcerpt from ERG Guide 151 [Substances - Toxic (Non-Combustible)]:
Protective Action Criteria (PAC) · 3 items
0.0021 [mg/m3]
0.42 [mg/m3]
66 [mg/m3]
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) · 1 item
RECOMMENDED RESPIRATOR: Where the neat test chemical is weighed and diluted, wear a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with an organic vapor/acid gas cartridge (specific for organic vapors, HCl, acid gas and SO2) with a dust/mist filter. (NTP, 1992)
Toxicology
TreatmentThere is no know antidote for chromium poisoning. Exposure is usually handled with symptomatic treatment. (L16)
Health EffectsChromium in its trivalent state is not very toxic. It may be oxidized to hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen. Hexavalent chromium has also been shown to affect reproduction and development. (A12)
Adverse EffectsOccupational hepatotoxin - Secondary hepatotoxins: the potential for toxic effect in the occupational setting is based on cases of poisoning by human ingestion or animal experimentation.
Trivalent chromium may also form complexes with peptides, proteins, and DNA, resulting in DNA-protein crosslinks, DNA strand breaks, DNA-DNA interstrand crosslinks, chromium-DNA adducts, chromosomal aberrations and alterations in cellular signaling pathways. It has been shown to induce carcinogenesis by overstimulating cellular regulatory pathways and increasing peroxide levels by activating certain mitogen-activated protein kinases. It can also cause transcriptional repression by cross-linking histone deacetylase 1-DNA methyltransferase 1 complexes to CYP1A1 promoter chromatin, inhibiting histone modification. Chromium may increase its own toxicity by modifying metal regulatory transcription factor 1, causing the inhibition of zinc-induced metallothionein transcription. (A12, L16, A34, A35, A36)
Signs and Symptoms · 1 item
Chromium in its trivalent state is not very toxic, but it may be oxidized to hexavalent chromium. Breathing hexavalent chromium can cause irritation to the lining of the nose, nose ulcers, runny nose, and breathing problems, such as asthma, cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing. Ingestion of hexavalent chromium causes irritation and ulcers in the stomach and small intestine, as well as anemia. Skin contact can cause skin ulcers. (L16)
Carcinogen Classification1, carcinogenic to humans. (L135)
6.1C - Combustible acute toxic Cat.3toxic compounds or compounds which causing chronic effects
packing_group
II
Hazard statements
H301
Limited Quantities
5.0 L (1.3 gallons) (liquid) or 5.0 kg (11 lbs) (solid)
Excepted Quantities
Max Inner Pack (30g or 30ml) and Max Outer Pack (1Kg or 1L)
Hazard Classifications
Acute Tox. 3 Oral
Precautionary statements
P264-P270-P301+P310-P405-P501
General DescriptionWhite crystalline or granular solid. Sublimes at room temperature. Burns with a luminous flame.
Preparation methods · 1 item
PreparationChromium hexacarbonyl is prepared by the reaction of anhydrous chromium(III) chloride with carbon monoxide in the presence of a Grignard reagent. A 60% product yield may be obtained at the carbon monoxide pressures of 35 to 70 atm. Other chromium salts may be used with carbon monoxide and Grignard reagent in the preparation. The compound may also be obtained by the reaction of a chromium salt with carbon monoxide in the presence of magnesium in ether or sodium in diglyme.
