Titanium(IV) chloride (CAS 7550-45-0): storage and disposal
Titanium tetrachloride is a colourless to pale yellow liquid that fumes strongly in moist air, held in small amounts in school, college and university stores. It reacts violently with water, releases hydrochloric acid mist, causes severe burns and is fatal if inhaled. Any trace of moisture starts this reaction, so the state of the seal and the condition of the shelving around the bottle decide how it is handled.
- CAS number
- 7550-45-0
- Form
- Liquid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Acute toxicity
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as toxic stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Run your eye along the shelf under the bottle, without touching it. Rust, pitting or a pale crust on metal shelving means acid mist has been escaping, because this liquid fumes in moist air and corrodes fittings long before the bottle looks wrong. It needs a dry, locked, ventilated store with a stock record and a resistant tray. All water based stock has to be kept away, including ammonia solution, formalin, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite, since any leak from those could set off a violent reaction. A shelf beneath wet bench work is the wrong place. Oxidisers and other acids go elsewhere too. An older bottle with a glass stopper needs particular care, as these rarely seal well against damp air.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Sound stock is a clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid. What does not belong is a white solid. When damp air gets in, the liquid reacts and leaves a white deposit on the neck and cap, and sometimes a cloudy layer in the bottle. White fume visible in the bottle's headspace, or a sharp acid smell on entering the store, means the seal has gone. A stopper can freeze in place as the crust grows, and a bottle in that state may also hold acid gas under pressure. Corroded shelving and lifted label ink are often the next things to show. Do not open it, loosen a stopper or wipe a crust away. Report the bottle and leave it where it stands.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Its reaction with water sets the grouping, so it cannot go with aqueous stock in a lab pack and should be declared as a water reactive liquid that fumes. Give the name on the label, the bottle size and the closure type, and say whether there is white crust or a seized stopper, since that affects the packing. The usual code is 16 05 06*. Specialist collection is the only route. Under no circumstances should it enter a sink or drain, or a general waste bin or skip, and adding water or anything else to it first is prohibited. Anyone clearing a store should keep it apart from wet items during the wait, and should not move a fuming bottle without specialist advice.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 07* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- OxidiserToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- AcidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Ammonia solutionReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Calcium hypochloriteToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- FormalinReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Hydrochloric acidReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Hydrogen peroxideReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Nitric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Potassium nitrateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
Show 4 more
- Potassium permanganateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Sodium hydroxideReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Sodium hypochloriteReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Sulfuric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: fuming liquid.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H330 Fatal if inhaled.
Precautionary statements
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
- P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P284 In case of inadequate ventilation wear respiratory protection.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P308+P316 IF exposed or concerned: Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P320 Specific treatment is urgent (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
There is white smoke when the store door opens. What should we do?
Leave the store, close the door and keep people out. Fume at that level means a seal has failed, and the classification is fatal if inhaled. Do not go back in to look for the bottle. Follow your site emergency procedure and get specialist advice before anyone re-enters.
The stopper has seized under a white crust. Can it be freed?
No. Do not twist, tap or warm it, because the bottle may hold acid gas under pressure and the crust means moisture has already got in. Record it as a seized stopper and leave it upright on its tray for the specialist collection.
Our metal shelving keeps rusting near the bottle. Is that related?
Very likely. It fumes in moist air and releases hydrochloric acid mist that corrodes metal shelving, often before the bottle itself looks poor. Treat the rust as a warning that the seal is failing, and arrange its removal instead of simply repainting the shelf.
