Substance profile
Tin tetrachloride
Tin tetrachloride is a colorless fuming liquid with an ACRID odor.
01 · Identification
What Tin tetrachloride is
Tin tetrachloride is a colorless fuming liquid with an ACRID odor. Its molecular formula is Cl4Sn and its molecular weight is 260.5 g/mol. It boils at 114 °C, melts at -33 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
02 · Identifiers
Tin tetrachloride identifiers and molecular data
Tin tetrachloride CAS number and EC number
Tin tetrachloride molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Tin tetrachloride
- stannic chloride
03 · GHS classification
Tin tetrachloride hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Tin tetrachloride pictograms and signal word
Tin tetrachloride hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 1A or 1B or 1C | H314 | GHS05 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 3 | H412 | — |
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.
Tin tetrachloride hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H412 | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Tin tetrachloride. 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 Tin tetrachloride
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 Tin tetrachloride 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
Tin tetrachloride precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 7 precautionary statements to Tin tetrachloride. 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
Tin tetrachloride 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 | калаен тетрахлорид калаен хлорид |
| Spanish español | Tetracloruro de estaño cloruro estánnico |
| Czech čeština | chlorid cíničitý |
| Danish dansk | tintetrachlorid tinchlorid |
| German Deutsch | Zinntetrachlorid StannichloridZinn(IV)-chlorid |
| Estonian eesti | tinatetrakloriid tina(IV)kloriid |
| Greek ελληνικά | τετραχλωριούχος κασσίτερος χλωριούχος κασσίτερος(IV) |
| English English | tin tetrachloride stannic chloride |
| French français | tétrachlorure d'étain chlorure stannique |
| Croatian hrvatski | kositrov tetraklorid kositrov klorid |
| Italian italiano | tetracloruro di stagno stannic chloride |
| Latvian latviešu | alvas tetrahlorīds stanniskais hlorīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | alavo tetrachloridas alavo (IV) chloridas |
| Hungarian magyar | ón-tetraklorid ón-klorid |
| Maltese Malti | teraklorur tal-landa klorur stanniku |
| Dutch Nederlands | tintetrachloride tin(IV)chloride |
| Polish polski | tetrachlorek cyny chlorek cynowychlorek cyny(IV) |
| Portuguese português | tetracloreto de estanho cloreto estânico |
| Romanian română | tetraclorură de staniu clorură de staniu |
| Slovak slovenčina | chlorid ciničitý |
| Slovenian slovenščina | kositrov tetraklorid kositrov klorid |
| Finnish suomi | tinatetrakloridi stannikloridi |
| Swedish svenska | tenntetraklorid tenn(IV)klorid |
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
Tin tetrachloride GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Tin tetrachloride, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Tin tetrachloride
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Do NOT induce vomiting.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Tin tetrachloride in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Tin tetrachloride health hazards and exposure limits
Tin tetrachloride hazard summary
Respiratory symptoms were more common in hot end workers in a glass bottle manufacturing plant exposed to stannic chloride; [Reference #1] Produces substantial heat on contact with water; A strong eye and mucous membrane irritant; [Merck Index] Reacts violently with water or moist air forming hydrogen chloride; A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; [ICSC] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; May cause burns on prolonged contact; [HSDB] Reacts with water producing hydrochloric acid and heat; Corrosive to tissue; [CAMEO] Forms hydrogen chloride on contact with moisture; May cause corrosive injuries to skin and eyes; [CHEMINFO] Corrosive to skin and eyes; [eChemPortal: ERMA] Can cause burns; [eChemPortal: ESIS] A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; Inhalation may cause chemical pneumonitis; [MSDSonline]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Tin tetrachloride occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 2.0 [mg/m3], as Sn | 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
Tin tetrachloride 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.
Tin tetrachloride boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 114.15 °C (237.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| 114 °C (237.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| 114.1 °C (237.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC |
Tin tetrachloride melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -33 °C (-27.4 °F) | HSDB |
Tin tetrachloride density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.34 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 2.26 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 2.232 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC |
Tin tetrachloride solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | White or slightly yellow crystals or fused small lumps; slight hydrochloric acid odor; very sol in water; sol in alcohol | stannic chloride pentahydrate | HSDB |
| Soluble in acetone, ethanol, gasoline, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, kerosene, methanol | HSDB | ||
| Sol in cold water (decomposes in hot water), carbon disulfide | decomposes | HSDB |
Tin tetrachloride vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 18 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| 18.0015 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 10 mmHg | at 10 °C | DOE PAC |
Tin tetrachloride lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Violent reaction with;; turpentine; ethylene oxide; alkyl nitrates. | potassium | HSDB |
Tin tetrachloride vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 9 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Tin tetrachloride critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 318.75 °C (605.8 °F) | HSDB |
Tin tetrachloride corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to metals | HSDB | |
| Will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, & coatings. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Tin tetrachloride 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.
Tin tetrachloride fire potential
Nonflammable ... .
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Tin tetrachloride storage and handling
Tin tetrachloride safe storage
Separated from food and feedstuffs. Dry. Well closed. Keep in a well-ventilated room.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Tin tetrachloride storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Outside or detached storage is preferred.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Tin tetrachloride incompatible materials
STANNIC CHLORIDE REACTS WITH TURPENTINE, PRODUCING HEAT AND SOMETIMES FLAME.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Tin tetrachloride reactivity
STANNIC CHLORIDE readily hydrolyzes to form hydrochloric acid in aqueous solution or moist air. Combination of stannic chloride with turpentine is strongly exothermic, and may lead to ignition [Mellor, 1941, Vol. 7, 446].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Tin tetrachloride in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Tin tetrachloride UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
Tin tetrachloride under UN 1827 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STANNIC CHLORIDE, ANHYDROUS | 8 | C1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 8 is “Corrosive substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stannic chloride, anhydrous | 8 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 8 is “Corrosive material” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Tin tetrachloride — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Tin tetrachloride?
The CAS number of Tin tetrachloride is 7646-78-8. Its EC number is 231-588-9.
What is the chemical formula of Tin tetrachloride?
The molecular formula of Tin tetrachloride is Cl4Sn and its molecular weight is 260.5 g/mol.
What does a Tin tetrachloride label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Tin tetrachloride carries the pictogram Corrosion and the signal word is Danger.
Is Tin tetrachloride flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Tin tetrachloride 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 Tin tetrachloride a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Tin tetrachloride. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for Tin tetrachloride?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Tin tetrachloride is 2.0 [mg/m3], as Sn (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 Tin tetrachloride?
The boiling point reported for Tin tetrachloride is 114.15 °C (237.5 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Tin tetrachloride?
The melting point reported for Tin tetrachloride is -33 °C (-27.4 °F) (HSDB).
How should Tin tetrachloride be stored?
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Outside or detached storage is preferred. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Tin tetrachloride
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