Substance profile
Nickel tetracarbonyl
Nickel tetracarbonyl is a colorless liquid with a peculiar sooty odor @ low concn (gas).
01 · Identification
What Nickel tetracarbonyl is
Nickel tetracarbonyl is a colorless liquid with a peculiar sooty odor @ low concn (gas). Its molecular formula is C4NiO4 and its molecular weight is 170.73 g/mol. It boils at 43 °C, melts at -19.3 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as carcinogens.
02 · Identifiers
Nickel tetracarbonyl identifiers and molecular data
Nickel tetracarbonyl CAS number and EC number
Nickel tetracarbonyl molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Nickel tetracarbonyl
- tetracarbonylnickel
03 · GHS classification
Nickel tetracarbonyl hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Nickel tetracarbonyl pictograms and signal word
Nickel tetracarbonyl hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 2 | H225 | GHS02 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 1 or 2 | H330 | GHS06 |
| Carcinogenicity GHS chapter 3.6 | Category 2 | H351 | 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.
Nickel tetracarbonyl hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H360D | May damage the unborn child. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Nickel tetracarbonyl. 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 Nickel tetracarbonyl
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 Nickel tetracarbonyl 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
Nickel tetracarbonyl precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 16 precautionary statements to Nickel tetracarbonyl. 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
Nickel tetracarbonyl 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 | тетракарбонилникел никелов тетракарбонил |
| Spanish español | Tetracarbonilníquel tetracarbonilo de níquel |
| Czech čeština | tetrakarbonyl niklu |
| Danish dansk | tetracarbonylnikkel nikkeltetracarbonyl |
| German Deutsch | Tetracarbonylnickel Nickeltetracarbonyl |
| Estonian eesti | tetrakarbonüülnikkel |
| Greek ελληνικά | τετρακαρβονυλονικέλιο τετρακαρβονυλικό νικέλιο |
| English English | tetracarbonylnickel nickel tetracarbonyl |
| French français | tétracarbonylnickel tétracarbonyle de nickel |
| Croatian hrvatski | tetrakarbonilnikal niklov tetrakarbonil |
| Italian italiano | tetracarbonilnichel nichel tetracarbonile |
| Latvian latviešu | tetrakarbonilniķelis niķeļa tetrakarbonils |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | tetrakarbonilnikelis nikelio tetrakarbonilas |
| Hungarian magyar | tetrakarbonil-nikkel nikkel-tetrakarbonil |
| Maltese Malti | tetrakarbonilnikil tetrakarbonil tan-nikil |
| Dutch Nederlands | tetracarbonylnikkel nikkeltetracarbonyl |
| Polish polski | tetrakarbonylonikiel tetrakarbonylek niklu |
| Portuguese português | tetracarboniloníquel |
| Romanian română | tetracarbonilnichel nichel tetracarbonil |
| Slovak slovenčina | tetrakarbonyl niklu nikélium-tetrakarbonyl |
| Slovenian slovenščina | tetrakarbonilnikelj nikljev tetrakarbonil |
| Finnish suomi | tetrakarbonyylinikkeli nikkelitetrakarbonyyli |
| Swedish svenska | tetrakarbonylnickel nickeltetrakarbonyl |
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
Nickel tetracarbonyl GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Nickel tetracarbonyl, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Nickel tetracarbonyl
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
- Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- May damage the unborn child.
- Fatal if inhaled.
- Very toxic to aquatic life.
- Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF INHALED:
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Collect spillage.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Nickel tetracarbonyl in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Nickel tetracarbonyl health hazards and exposure limits
Nickel tetracarbonyl hazard summary
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] Highly toxic by inhalation with poor warning properties; Pulmonary edema may be delayed for 12 to 36 hours after exposure. Nickel carbonyl causes liver damage in inhalation and intravenous studies of animals. The estimated lethal dose in humans is 30 ppm for 340 minutes with death secondary to lung injury. Urinary nickel levels are useful in medical surveillance of exposed workers. Epidemiology studies provide equivocal evidence that nickel carbonyl causes lung cancer.[ACGIH] The chest x-ray may show evidence of pulmonary edema after nickel carbonyl exposure. [Sullivan, Table 16.3] Workers exposed to soluble nickel salts had increased nasal dysplasia and lung fibrosis. [Ullmann] Lung injury after nickel carbonyl exposure includes delayed pulmonary edema and rapidly infiltrating fibrosis. [Harber, p. 499] Acute findings following heavy exposure may include headache, delirium, seizures, and coma. [LaDou, p. 480] In high-dose animal studies, nickel and nickel carbonyl cause birth defects. [Frazier] See ORGANOMETALS. See Nickel and linked occupational diseases.
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Nickel tetracarbonyl carcinogenicity classification
CLASSIFICATION: B2; probable human carcinogen. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: Based upon the observation of pulmonary carcinomas and malignant tumors at various sites in rats administered nickel carbonyl by inhalation and intravenous injection, respectively. Nickel administered as nickel carbonyl binds to DNA. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Inadequate. ANIMAL CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Sufficient.
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.
Nickel tetracarbonyl occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 0.001 [ppm], as Ni | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 0.001 ppm (0.007 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 0.001 ppm (0.007 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 0.001 ppm (0.007 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | Ca TWA 0.001 ppm (0.007 mg/m3) See Appendix A | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 2 ppm ; A potential occupational carcinogen. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 2.0 [ppm], as Ni | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs: Other human data: It has been stated that 3 ppm for 30 minutes is the probable shortterm exposure limit [Kincaid et al. 1956]. | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
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
Nickel tetracarbonyl 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.
Nickel tetracarbonyl boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 43 °C (109.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 43.33 °C (110 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 42.78 °C (109 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Nickel tetracarbonyl melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -19.3 °C (-2.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -25 °C (-13 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -19 °C (-2.2 °F) | CAMEO |
Nickel tetracarbonyl density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.3 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.3188 g/cm³ | at 21.11 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.31 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC |
Nickel tetracarbonyl solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Sol in about 5000 parts water free from air; sol in alcohol, benzene, chloroform, acetone, carbon tetrachloride. | HSDB | |
| Soluble in alcohol and many organic solvents, soluble in concentrated nitric acid; insoluble in water | HSDB | ||
| SOL IN AQUA REGIA, ETHER, NITRIC ACID; INSOL IN DIL ACID, DIL ALKALI. | HSDB |
Nickel tetracarbonyl vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 315 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 400 mmHg | at 25.8 °C | HSDB |
Nickel tetracarbonyl flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -24 °C (-11.2 °F) | below this value, CLOSED CUP | HSDB |
| -20 °C (-4 °F) | below this value | NIOSH | |
| -24 °C (-11.2 °F) | below this value | OSHA |
Nickel tetracarbonyl autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 60 °C (140 °F) | ICSC | |
| 93.33 °C (200 °F) | below this value | HSDB |
Nickel tetracarbonyl lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2 % by volume | HSDB |
Nickel tetracarbonyl upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 34 % by volume | ICSC | |
| Flammable and burns with a yellow flame. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO |
Nickel tetracarbonyl vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 5.89 (air = 1) | CAMEO | |
| 5.9 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Nickel tetracarbonyl odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | PECULIAR SOOTY ODOR @ LOW CONCN (GAS) ODOR IS DETECTABLE BETWEEN 1 & 3 PPM. | HSDB | |
| About 30 ppb | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.5 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Nickel tetracarbonyl critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 200 °C (392 °F) | approximate | HSDB |
Nickel tetracarbonyl corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Liquid nickel carbonyl will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Nickel tetracarbonyl 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.
Nickel tetracarbonyl fire potential
NICKEL CARBONYL (NI(CO)4) IS FLAMMABLE & BURNS WITH A YELLOW FLAME.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Nickel tetracarbonyl storage and handling
Nickel tetracarbonyl safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants, strong acids and food and feedstuffs. Cool. Keep in the dark. Keep under inert gas. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Nickel tetracarbonyl storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Keep cylinders restrained.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Nickel tetracarbonyl incompatible materials
DISASTER HAZARD: DANGEROUS; WHEN HEATED OR ON CONTACT WITH ACID OR ACID FUMES, EMITS HIGHLY TOXIC CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES; CAN REACT WITH OXIDIZING MATERIALS.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Nickel tetracarbonyl reactivity
NICKEL CARBONYL is easily oxidized. Presents a very serious fire hazard if exposed to heat, flame, sparks, oxidizing agents. Explodes when heated to about 60 °C. Reacts explosively with bromine (liquid), oxygen in the presence of mercury, or hydrocarbons (butane) mixed with oxygen. Undergoes violent reactions with air, oxygen, dinitrogen tetraoxide. Caused an explosion when added to an n-butane-oxygen at 20-40 °C [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 70:2055-6. 1948]. Reacts with tetrachloropropadiene to form an extremely explosive dinickel chloride dimer. Emits highly toxic fumes of carbon monoxide when heated to decomposition or in contact with mineral acids or acid fumes [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1734]. Vapor explodes in air or oxygen at 20 °C and a partial pressure of 15 mm.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Nickel tetracarbonyl in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Nickel tetracarbonyl — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Nickel tetracarbonyl?
The CAS number of Nickel tetracarbonyl is 13463-39-3. Its EC number is 236-669-2.
What is the chemical formula of Nickel tetracarbonyl?
The molecular formula of Nickel tetracarbonyl is C4NiO4 and its molecular weight is 170.73 g/mol.
What does a Nickel tetracarbonyl label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Nickel tetracarbonyl carries the pictograms Flame, Skull and crossbones, Health hazard and Environment and the signal word is Danger.
Is Nickel tetracarbonyl flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Nickel tetracarbonyl H225 — highly flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is -24 °C (-11.2 °F), below this value, CLOSED CUP (HSDB).
Is Nickel tetracarbonyl a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI assigns Nickel tetracarbonyl H351 — suspected of causing cancer. That is category 2: the evidence points that way but is not conclusive.
What is the exposure limit for Nickel tetracarbonyl?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Nickel tetracarbonyl is 0.001 [ppm], as Ni (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). 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 Nickel tetracarbonyl?
The boiling point reported for Nickel tetracarbonyl is 43 °C (109.4 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Nickel tetracarbonyl?
The melting point reported for Nickel tetracarbonyl is -19.3 °C (-2.7 °F) (HSDB).
How should Nickel tetracarbonyl be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Nickel tetracarbonyl the storage statement P403. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Keep cylinders restrained. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Nickel tetracarbonyl
Keep going: substances starting with N, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.