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[Chemical Properties]
Yellow liquid. decomposes at high temperatures. Soluble or miscible with water and many
organic solvents except kerosene; hydrolyzes in low
concentration; hygroscopic. |
[General Description]
Tetraethyl pyrophosphate solid is a solid material on which the phosphate itself is absorbed. The phosphate itself is combustible though Hexaethyl tetraphosphate may take effort to ignite. Hexaethyl tetraphosphate is soluble in water and gradually decomposed by it. Hexaethyl tetraphosphate is toxic by inhalation(dust, etc) and by skin absorption. |
[Air & Water Reactions]
Hexaethyl tetraphosphate is soluble in water and gradually decomposed by it. |
[Reactivity Profile]
Organophosphates are susceptible to formation of highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas in the presence of strong reducing agents such as hydrides. Partial oxidation by oxidizing agents may result in the release of toxic phosphorus oxides. |
[Health Hazard]
Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution. |
[Fire Hazard]
Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways. Substance may be transported in a molten form. |
[Hazard]
Toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin
absorption; cholinesterase inhibitor. |
[Preparation]
Hexaethyl tetraphosphate was first synthesised by the German chemist Gerhard Schrader, who reacted phosphorus oxychloride and triethyl orthophosphate at approximately 150 °C. This reaction is known as the Schrader process. The Germans also made hexaethyl tetraphosphate by phosphorus oxychloride and ethyl alcohol. This reaction requires slightly lower pressure than the Schrader process.
The reaction has a chemical equation of POCl3 + 3(C2H5)3PO4 → (C2H5)6P4O13 + 3C2H5Cl. |