Methyldichloroarsine.

Chemical properties

A colorless, mobile liquid; agreeableodor. Decomposed by water.

The Uses of Methyldichloroarsine.

Military poison, intermediate.

General Description

A colorless liquid with an agreeable odor. Denser than water. Very toxic by inhalation. Painful burns on contact.

Air & Water Reactions

Decomposes slowly in water to form a corrosive solution of HCl.

Reactivity Profile

Methyldichloroarsine. is a reducing agent. Reacts rapidly and dangerously with oxygen and with other oxidizing agents, even weak ones. Can ignite on contact with alcohols. Incompatible with acids, alcohols, amines, and aldehydes. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. In one instance, reaction with chlorine rapidly produced gaseous chloromethane, which led to an over pressurization failure [J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 1976, 1479].

Hazard

Toxic. Highly irritant.

Health Hazard

Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution.

Fire Hazard

Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways. Substance may be transported in a molten form.

Safety Profile

Poison irritant to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes and poison by ingestion and inhalation. A blistering type of military poison. It is rapidly detoxified in the body. A moderately persistent gas. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame. To fight fire, use water, foam, CO2, dry chemical. Explosive reaction with chlorine. Can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. Dangerous; when heated to decomposition or on contact with acid or acid fumes it emits hghly toxic fumes of Cl and As. See also CHLOROVINYLARSINE DICHLORIDE and ARSENIC COMPOUNDS.