Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Cupric Nitrate

Identification

Product Name: Cupric Nitrate
Chemical Name: Copper(II) Nitrate
Synonyms: Cupric Nitrate, Copper Dinitrate
CAS Number: 3251-23-8
Molecular Formula: Cu(NO3)2·xH2O
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, pigment manufacturing, catalyst, oxidizing agent, textile mordant
Supplier: Industrial chemical distributors, laboratory supply companies
Emergency Phone: National poison control center or supplier’s hotline

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Oxidizing solid (Category 3), Acute toxicity, oral (Category 4), Serious eye damage/eye irritation (Category 2), Skin irritation (Category 2), Environmental hazard (Aquatic Acute Category 1, Aquatic Chronic Category 1)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Can intensify fire (oxidizer), harmful if swallowed, causes skin irritation, may cause serious eye irritation, very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
Pictograms: Flame over circle, exclamation mark, environment
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat and combustibles, do not breathe dust, wash thoroughly after handling, avoid release to environment, wear protective gloves and eye protection, store in a dry and ventilated place, dispose contents to hazardous waste

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Identity: Copper(II) Nitrate Hemipentahydrate
Concentration: 98-100%
Impurities: Trace water, potentially nickel, iron, or lead as metallic impurities, depending on manufacturing process

First Aid Measures

General Advice: Move affected person to fresh air and keep at rest; remove contaminated clothes immediately; do not induce vomiting if swallowed
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air, keep breathing easy, get medical help if coughing or breathing trouble starts
Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, take off contaminated clothing, seek medical attention if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with water for at least 15 minutes, hold eyelids open and lift them, get urgent medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, seek medical attention promptly

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, sand, or carbon dioxide for fires in the vicinity; substance promotes combustion and reacts vigorously with flammable materials
Unsuitable Media: Do not use dry chemical containing ammonium compounds
Hazards During Fire: Oxidizer, increases risk of fire; thermal decomposition may release toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides and copper oxides
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full protective clothing, closed self-contained breathing apparatus, chemical-resistant suit
Special Procedures: Remove containers from fire if safe, cool exposed containers with water spray, avoid run-off entering drains

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Protection: Wear chemical goggles, nitrile gloves, protective suit, and dust respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spills from entering waterways or drains, contain the spread by diking with inert material
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up carefully without creating dust, store residues in sealed chemical waste containers, ventilate the area well after cleanup

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, avoid skin and eye contact, minimize dust creation, wash hands after handling, keep away from flammable/combustible materials
Storage: Keep container tightly sealed, store in a cool, dry, ventilated room, away from direct sunlight, separate from acids, reducing agents and organic materials, use corrosion-resistant shelving

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL for Copper (as dust and mist): 1 mg/m³ TWA; ACGIH TLV: 1 mg/m³
Engineering Controls: Employ local exhaust ventilation or fume hoods in work areas
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles or face shield, chemical-resistant gloves, lab coat, closed-toed shoes, approved respirator for airborne concentrations exceeding safety limits
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling chemicals, wash hands and face thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing before leaving the workplace

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Blue or bluish-green crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
pH: Acidic aqueous solution
Melting Point: Decomposes around 114°C (monohydrate); loses water on heating
Boiling Point: Not applicable, decomposes
Solubility: Freely soluble in water and ethanol
Density: About 2.32 g/cm³ (pentahydrate)
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Partition Coefficient: Not established
Viscosity: Not applicable
Flammability: Not combustible but enhances combustion of other materials

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; may decompose if exposed to moisture or heat
Reactivity: Strong oxidizer; reacts violently with reducing agents, combustible material, ammonium salts, and organic chemicals
Hazardous Decomposition: Produces toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides and copper oxides under fire or thermal decomposition
Polymerization: Will not polymerize

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Harmful if swallowed; may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure can cause skin and respiratory irritation, liver and kidney damage, hemolysis of red cells
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic to humans by IARC or NTP
Other Effects: May aggravate pre-existing conditions of skin, eyes, and lungs

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, causes long-term negative effects in the aquatic environment
Persistence and Degradability: Not biodegradable; copper persists in soils, potentially accumulating in aquatic organisms
Bioaccumulation: Copper ions can accumulate in wildlife tissue
Mobility: Readily soluble, can leach into groundwater if improperly disposed
Other Hazards: Pollution hazard in water courses even at low concentrations

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Dispose through a licensed hazardous waste disposal facility; do not release to sewer or storm drains
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers with water, treat rinse water as hazardous, dispose per local regulations
Precautions: Do not mix with incompatible waste streams such as acids or organics; include MSDS documentation with shipment

Transport Information

UN Number: UN 1477
Proper Shipping Name: Nitrates, inorganic, n.o.s. (contains Copper Nitrate)
Transport Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizer)
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Special Precautions: Keep separated from flammable goods; avoid humidity during transport; mark containers with hazard warnings
Regulations: Complies with IATA, IMDG, DOT guidelines for transport of oxidizing agents

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200
TSCA: Listed
SARA Title III Sections 302/304: Not listed as extremely hazardous
SARA Title III Section 313: Copper compounds, reportable
RCRA: Regulated hazardous waste due to copper content
REACH (EU): Registered, subject to restrictions
WHMIS (Canada): Classified as D2B (Toxic material), C (Oxidizing material)
Other Info: Subject to workplace labeling and safety training requirements; environmental release reporting may apply