Substance profile
Chromyl chloride
Chromyl chloride is a deep red liquid; appears black under reflected light with a pungent odor.
01 · Identification
What Chromyl chloride is
Chromyl chloride is a deep red liquid; appears black under reflected light with a pungent odor. Its molecular formula is Cl2CrO2 and its molecular weight is 154.9 g/mol. It boils at 117 °C, melts at -96.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
02 · Identifiers
Chromyl chloride identifiers and molecular data
Chromyl chloride CAS number and EC number
Chromyl chloride molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Chromyl chloride
- chromyl dichloride
- chromic oxychloride
03 · GHS classification
Chromyl chloride hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Chromyl chloride pictograms and signal word
Chromyl chloride hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxidising liquids or Oxidising solids | Category 1 | H271 | GHS03 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 1A or 1B or 1C | H314 | GHS05 |
| Skin sensitisation GHS chapter 3.4 | Category 1 or 1A or 1B | H317 | GHS07 |
| Germ cell mutagenicity GHS chapter 3.5 | Category 1A or 1B | H340 | GHS08 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - acute GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H400 | GHS09 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H410 | GHS09 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
Chromyl chloride hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H271 | May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser. |
| H350i | May cause cancer by inhalation. |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Chromyl chloride. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for Chromyl chloride
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of Chromyl chloride issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
Chromyl chloride precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 14 precautionary statements to Chromyl chloride. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Disposal
What has to happen to the contents and the empty container.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
Chromyl chloride name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | хромилдихлорид хромен оксихлорид |
| Spanish español | Dicloruro de cromilo oxicloruro crómico |
| Czech čeština | chlorid chromylu chromylchlorid |
| Danish dansk | chromyldichlorid |
| German Deutsch | Chromyldichlorid ChromoxychloridChromdioxiddichlorid |
| Estonian eesti | kromüüldikloriid kroomoksükloriid |
| Greek ελληνικά | διχλωριούχο χρωμύλιο χρωμικό οξυχλωρίδιο |
| English English | chromyl dichloride chromic oxychloride |
| French français | dichlorure de chromyle oxychlorure chromique |
| Croatian hrvatski | kromil diklorid kromov oksiklorid |
| Italian italiano | dicloruro di cromile oxicloruro cromico |
| Latvian latviešu | hromildihlorīds hroma oksihlorīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | chromilo dichloridas chromo oksichloridas |
| Hungarian magyar | kromil-diklorid króm-oxiklorid |
| Maltese Malti | diklorur tal-kromil ossiklorur kromiku |
| Dutch Nederlands | chromyldichloride chroomoxychloride |
| Polish polski | dichlorek ditlenek chromu chlorek chromyludichlorek chromylutlenochlorek chromu |
| Portuguese português | dicloreto de cromilo oxicloreto crómico |
| Romanian română | diclorură de cromil oxiclorură de crom |
| Slovak slovenčina | dichlorid chromylu dioxid-dichlorid chrómový |
| Slovenian slovenščina | kromil diklorid kromov oksiklorid |
| Finnish suomi | kromyylidikloridi kromioksikloridi |
| Swedish svenska | kromyldiklorid kromdioxidklorid |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
Chromyl chloride GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Chromyl chloride, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Chromyl chloride
- May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidiser.
- May cause cancer by inhalation.
- May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- Very toxic to aquatic life.
- Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Do NOT induce vomiting.
- If skin irritation or rash occurs:
- Collect spillage.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Chromyl chloride in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Chromyl chloride health hazards and exposure limits
Chromyl chloride hazard summary
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Releases large amounts of HCl when spilled in water; [ERG 2016] No animal or human data available, but treated as a water soluble form of hexavalent chromium; Insufficient data for carcinogenicity notation; [ACGIH] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema after inhalation of vapor; [ICSC] Chronic exposure to hexavalent chromium may produce evidence of kidney and liver injury. [ATSDR Case Studies # 4] See Chromium and linked occupational diseases.
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Chromyl chloride carcinogenicity classification
Evaluation: There is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of chromium(VI) compounds. Chromium(VI) compounds cause cancer of the lung. Also positive associations have been observed between exposure to Chromium(IV) compounds and cancer of the nose and nasal sinuses. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of chromium(VI) compounds. Chromium(VI) compounds are carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). /Chromium(VI) compounds/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Chromium Hexavalent Compounds: known to be human carcinogens. /Chromium hexavalent compound/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Chromyl chloride occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | none | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | Ca TWA 0.001 mg Cr(VI)/m3 See Appendix ASee Appendix C | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | NIOSH considers chromyl chloride to be a potential occupational carcinogen. | Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) |
| IDLH | 250 mg/cu m (as Cr(II)). /Chromium(II) compounds (as Cr)/ | Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Chromyl chloride properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
Chromyl chloride boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 117 °C (242.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 117.22 °C (243 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 116.11 °C (241 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Chromyl chloride melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -96.5 °C (-141.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -96.67 °C (-142 °F) | NIOSH |
Chromyl chloride density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.91 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.96 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.91 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Chromyl chloride solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Hydrolyzes vigorously on contact with water | HSDB | |
| Soluble in carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide, benzene, nitrobenzene, phosphorus oxychloride, chloroform | HSDB | ||
| Soluble in ether, acetic acid | HSDB |
Chromyl chloride vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 20 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 19.6 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Chromyl chloride lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Noncombustible Liquid, but a powerful oxidizer. | NIOSH |
Chromyl chloride vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 5.3 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Chromyl chloride corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Will cause severe corrosion of common metals. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Chromyl chloride fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Chromyl chloride fire potential
Not combustible but enhances combustion of other substances. Many reactions may cause fire or explosion.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Chromyl chloride storage and handling
Chromyl chloride safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from combustible substances, reducing agents and food and feedstuffs. Dry. Keep in the dark. Keep in a well-ventilated room.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Chromyl chloride storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Storage class (TRGS 510): Strongly oxidizing hazardous materials
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Chromyl chloride incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Reacts violently with water, organic materials, alcohols
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Chromyl chloride reactivity
CHROMIUM OXYCHLORIDE is a powerful and often violent oxidizing agent. Reacts readily with many inorganic and organic materials in the absence of a dilutent. Contact with hydrogen sulfide or phosphine can cause ignition. Contact with phosphorus tribromide, acetone, ethanol, ether, and turpentine causes ignition. Contact with moist phosphorus or with phosphorus trichloride leads to explosive reaction. Contact with ammonia causes incandescence. Reacts with sodium azide to form chromyl azide, which is explosive in the absence of a dilutent. Causes ignition of flowers of sulfur and of urea on contact. [Bretherick, 1979, p. 822-823].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Chromyl chloride in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Chromyl chloride — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Chromyl chloride?
The CAS number of Chromyl chloride is 14977-61-8. Its EC number is 239-056-8.
What is the chemical formula of Chromyl chloride?
The molecular formula of Chromyl chloride is Cl2CrO2 and its molecular weight is 154.9 g/mol.
What does a Chromyl chloride label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Chromyl chloride carries the pictograms Flame over circle, Health hazard, Corrosion, Exclamation mark and Environment and the signal word is Danger.
Is Chromyl chloride flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Chromyl chloride no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it.
Is Chromyl chloride a carcinogen?
Yes. CLP Annex VI classifies Chromyl chloride as a category 1A or 1B carcinogen and assigns it H350i: may cause cancer by inhalation.
What is the exposure limit for Chromyl chloride?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Chromyl chloride is none (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of Chromyl chloride?
The boiling point reported for Chromyl chloride is 117 °C (242.6 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Chromyl chloride?
The melting point reported for Chromyl chloride is -96.5 °C (-141.7 °F) (HSDB).
How should Chromyl chloride be stored?
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Storage class (TRGS 510): Strongly oxidizing hazardous materials (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Chromyl chloride
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