Aluminum hydride

30.005358

30.005

232-053-2

2463

0

0.33750

Aluminum hydride appears as a colorless to white solid.

1.45 g/cm³

decomposes at 160℃ [HAW93]

evolves H2 in H2O [HAW93]

Ignites in moist air. Ignites in air with or without oxygen enrichment [Bretherick 1979 p. 221]. Explosively hydrolyzed by water (forms hydrogen gas) [Ruff J.K. Inorg. Synth 1967, 9, 34].

Metal Hydrides, Metal Alkyls, Metal Aryls, and Silanes

Strong Reducing Agent

ALUMINUM HYDRIDE is a powerful reducing agent. May react violently with oxidizers. Prolonged exposure to heat may cause spontaneous decomposition. Can also decompose spontaneously at ambient temperature with explosive violence. Occasionally, explosions have occurred when it was stored in ether. The explosions have been blamed on the presence of carbon dioxide impurity in the ether [J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 70:877 1948]. Can emit toxic fumes on contact with acid or fumes from an acid. [Lewis]. At elevated temperatures, the hydride reduces carbon dioxide or sodium hydrogen carbonate to methane and ethane. These gases are the explosive products formed when CO2 extinguishers have been used during hydride fires. The 1:1 complexes of the hydride (as a complex with ether or dimethylamine) and various tetrazole derivatives are explosive. Tetrazoles include, 2-methyl, 2-ethyl, 5-ethyl, 2-methyl-5-vinyl, 5-amino-2-ethyl, etc., [US Pat. 3 396 170, 1968].

2463

P223, P231+P232, P260, P264, P280, P301+P330+P331, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P321, P335+P334, P363, P370+P378, P402+P404, P405, P501

H260

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]: Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2016)|Flammable - 3rd degree, Reactive - 2nd degree

|Danger|H260 (100%): In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously [Danger Substances and mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases]|P223, P231+P232, P260, P264, P280, P301+P330+P331, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P321, P335+P334, P363, P370+P378, P402+P404, P405, and P501|Aggregated GHS information provided by 38 companies from 1 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]: DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM. SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand. LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. FIRE INVOLVING METALS OR POWDERS (ALUMINUM, LITHIUM, MAGNESIUM, ETC.): Use dry chemical, DRY sand, sodium chloride powder, graphite powder or Met-L-X® powder; in addition, for Lithium you may use Lith-X® powder or copper powder. Also, see ERG Guide 170. FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]: As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids. SPILL: Increase, in the downwind direction, as necessary, the isolation distance shown above. FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]: ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers. SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so. POWDER SPILL: Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]: Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]: Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, wipe from skin immediately; flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim calm and warm. (ERG, 2016)

Aluminum hydride (AlH3): ACTIVE

Fire Hazards -> Flammable - 3rd degree, Reactive - 2nd degree