Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Cupric Acetate

Identification

Product Name: Cupric Acetate
Other Names: Copper(II) acetate, Cupric ethanoate
Chemical Formula: Cu(C2H3O2)2
CAS Number: 142-71-2
Relevant Identified Uses: Laboratory reagent, catalyst, fungicide, textile dyeing, pigment production
Supplier Information: List company name, street address, city, zip code, telephone number, emergency phone line

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin Irritation, Eye Damage, Environmental Hazard
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, toxic if inhaled, causes skin irritation, serious eye irritation, very toxic to aquatic life
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, environment
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust/fumes, wash hands thoroughly after handling, do not eat or drink when using, avoid release to environment

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Cupric Acetate
Common Name: Copper(II) acetate
Synonyms: Acetic acid, copper(2+) salt
Concentration: 98-100%
CAS Number: 142-71-2
Impurities / Additives: Minimal, usually less than 2% other copper salts in technical grade

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if symptoms persist such as cough, headache, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
Skin Contact: Wash exposed skin with plenty of soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, call doctor if irritation develops.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least 15 minutes, hold eyelids open, get medical help if pain or vision changes occur.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, do not induce vomiting, call Poison Control or physician immediately.
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation of airways, burns, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, visual disturbance.
Advice for Doctor: Treat symptomatically, monitor for copper toxicity

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry powder, foam, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Strong water jet
Hazards from Fire: May produce copper oxides, irritating or toxic fumes of acetic acid, decomposition under intense heat
Firefighter Precautions: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and protective equipment
Explosion Risk: Low; not flammable or explosive under standard use
Advice: Cool containers with water, prevent runoff from reaching drains

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ensure good ventilation, wear respiratory protection, gloves, goggles
Environmental Precautions: Prevent substance from entering drains or waterways; copper is toxic to aquatic life
Methods for Containment and Cleanup: Collect spilled material in labeled containers, use inert absorbent for solutions, sweep up carefully to avoid dust, dispose of as hazardous waste.
Decontamination: Wash area with plenty of water after cleanup, ventilate contaminated space.
Disposal Guidance: Dispose according to local, regional, national, and international regulations

Handling and Storage

Handling Guidance: Use only in well-ventilated areas, avoid creating or inhaling dust, prevent contact with skin and eyes, do not eat, drink, or smoke during use
Storage Conditions: Keep container tightly closed, store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, separate from acids and reducing agents
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, reducing agents, finely powdered metals
Safe Packaging: Prefer containers made of glass, plastic, or corrosion-resistant metal, properly labeled, keep away from food and feed
Special Precautions: Avoid mechanical shock to containers, routine inspections for leaks and corrosion

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: Copper (dust/mist): ACGIH TLV 1 mg/m³; OSHA PEL 1 mg/m³ (as Cu)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, general dilution ventilation, fume hood use
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical safety goggles, gloves (nitrile or neoprene), lab coat or apron, dust mask or respirator with P100 filter for dusty work
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, or leaving the workplace, remove contaminated clothing, emergency eyewash and shower facilities nearby

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Bright blue-green crystalline solid, may appear as powder or granular material
Odor: Slight acetic acid odor
Melting Point: Decomposes above 240 °C
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Density: 1.88 g/cm³ (anhydrous)
Solubility: Soluble in water and alcohol, slightly soluble in ether
pH (solution): Acidic
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable
Partition Coefficient: Not available
Other Properties: Turns green on weathering, effloresces in dry air

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling
Possible Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with strong acids, bases, and reducing agents to release toxic gases
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to heat, humidity, incompatible substances
Incompatible Materials: Acids, strong oxidizers, active metals, potassium, sodium, sulfur
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Copper oxides, acetic acid vapors, corrosive fumes

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Harmful if swallowed, toxic if inhaled; oral LD50 (rat) ~708 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes moderate irritation
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes redness, watering, possible burns
Respiratory Irritation: Leads to sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath
Chronic Effects: May cause liver and kidney damage, anemia, gastrointestinal disturbances on long-term exposure
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Other Medical Effects: May exacerbate pre-existing skin, liver, or kidney disorders

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to fish, algae, and aquatic invertebrates; LC50 (fish, 96h): 0.08 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Copper persists in the environment, accumulates in sediments and organisms
Bioaccumulative Potential: High, due to copper ion uptake by living systems
Mobility in Soil: Copper binds strongly to soil particles
Other Adverse Effects: Causes long-term harm in aquatic environments, contaminates water supplies

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Method: Treat as hazardous waste, follow local, regional, and national laws
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse, neutralize if possible, dispose in accordance with regulations
Do Not: Dump into drains, water bodies, soil, or regular trash
Preferred Disposal: Deliver to licensed hazardous waste treatment facility

Transport Information

UN Number: 3077
UN Proper Shipping Name: Environmentally Hazardous Substance, Solid, N.O.S. (contains Copper(II) acetate)
Transport Hazard Class: 9 (Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Miscellaneous hazard, Environmentally hazardous
Transport Regulatory Notes: Must not be transported with food or feed, apply spill precautions during loading/unloading, subject to IMDG, ADR, RID, IATA rules

Regulatory Information

Inventory Status: Listed on TSCA, EINECS, DSL, IECSC, ENCS
SARA Title III: Section 313 (copper compounds), Section 302/304 – Not listed as extremely hazardous
OSHA/WHMIS: Classified hazardous material, workplace labeling required
Right to Know: Subject to state and federal reporting, included in hazardous substance lists in US states
Restrictions: No direct application to food or feed, various international and sectoral restrictions for use and disposal
Other Regulations: Observe all regional, national, and international requirements for chemical safety.