Ikmanda RoswatiPh.D.Indonesia
Ultrafast Laser Physics and Material InteractionsPublished
Dec 24, 2025
Phosgene (COCl₂)
Chemical Properties
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
75-44-5
Formula
COCl₂
Molecular Weight
98.92 g/mol
Exposure Limits Comparison
OSHA PEL
0.1 ppm
NIOSH REL
0.1 ppm
ACGIH TLV
0.1 ppm
Health Effects
Severe Pulmonary Edema
Yes
Delayed Effects
Yes
Fatal
Yes
Chemical Warfare Agent
Yes
Phosgene (COCl₂) safety information
Comprehensive safety and handling requirements
Detection Monitoring
- Electrochemical
- Infrared
- Photoionization
- Colorimetric badges
- Dräger Phosgene 0.02/a
- Gastec 14L
| Sensor Types | ||||||||||
| Detection Range | 0-1 ppm (must detect sub-ppm) | |||||||||
| Alarm Setpoints |
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| Colorimetric Tubes | ||||||||||
| Analytical Methods |
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| Odor Threshold | 0.4-1.5 ppm - UNRELIABLE. Odor threshold ABOVE safe exposure limits. NEVER rely on odor. MANDATORY continuous monitoring. |
Environmental Impact
| Aquatic Toxicity | Extremely toxic but rapidly hydrolyzes to HCl and CO2 in water. Environmental impact primarily from hydrolysis products. | ||||
| Biodegradability | Not biodegradable. Hydrolyzes rapidly to CO2 and HCl. | ||||
| Bioaccumulation | Does not bioaccumulate. | ||||
| Soil Mobility | High mobility as gas. Hydrolyzes on contact with soil moisture. | ||||
| Atmospheric Fate | Photolyzes and hydrolyzes. Atmospheric half-life: hours. Forms HCl with water vapor. | ||||
| Ozone Depletion | false | ||||
| Reportable Releases |
|
Ppe Requirements
| Respiratory | MANDATORY: Full-face pressure-demand SCBA or positive-pressure supplied-air respirator. No air-purifying respirators approved - extremely toxic. |
| Eye Protection | Chemical safety goggles and full face shield |
| Skin Protection | Butyl rubber or neoprene gloves, fully-encapsulating chemical protective suit for gas contact. |
Reactivity
- Water
- Moisture
- Alcohols
- Ammonia
- Amines
- Active metals (Al, Na, K)
- Metal powders
- Bases
- Hydrogen chloride
- Carbon monoxide
- Carbon dioxide
- Chlorine
- Heat
- Moisture
- Water
- Incompatible materials
- Sunlight (promotes decomposition)
| Stability | Stable when dry. Hydrolyzes slowly in moist air. Rapidly in water. |
| Polymerization | Will not polymerize |
| Incompatible Materials | |
| Hazardous Decomposition | |
| Conditions To Avoid | |
| Reactivity Hazard | Hydrolyzes with water forming hydrochloric acid (corrosive). Reacts violently with active metals. May explode on contact with aluminum powder. |
Regulatory Classification
- Acute toxicity (fatal if inhaled)
- Corrosive
- Specific target organ toxicity
| Un Number | UN1076 | ||||||
| Dot Hazard Class | 2.3 (Toxic gas), 8 (Corrosive) | ||||||
| Dot Label | Poison Gas, Corrosive | ||||||
| Nfpa Codes |
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| Epa Hazard Categories | |||||||
| Sara Title Iii | true | ||||||
| Cercla Rq | 10 pounds (4.54 kg) | ||||||
| Rcra Code | P095 |
Storage Requirements
- Moisture/water
- Alcohols
- Ammonia
- Metal powders
- Aluminum
- Sodium
- Potassium
| Temperature Range | Store cylinders <52°C. Keep cool - above 8°C gas becomes liquid. |
| Ventilation | Outdoor storage STRONGLY PREFERRED. Indoor only with continuous mechanical ventilation, emergency backup, phosgene detection with REMOTE alarms. |
| Incompatibilities | |
| Container Material | Steel cylinders only. Glass for laboratory quantities. |
| Segregation | ISOLATED storage. Separate from ALL other chemicals. Restricted area with multiple barriers. |
| Quantity Limits | MINIMIZE. Many jurisdictions prohibit or strictly limit quantities. |
| Special Requirements | CRITICAL: Phosgene detection system with remote monitoring and alarms MANDATORY. Post "CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENT - EXTREME DANGER" signs. Restricted access - authorized trained personnel only with buddy system. Emergency procedures and antidote protocol posted. Medical surveillance required. Notification to local emergency services REQUIRED. |
Produced From Contaminants
Produced From Materials
Exposure Limits
Regulatory exposure thresholds and safe concentration levels
- Osha Pel Ppm
- 0.1
- Osha Pel Mg M3
- 0.4
- Niosh Rel Ppm
- 0.1
- Niosh Rel Mg M3
- 0.4
- Acgih Tlv Ppm
- 0.1
- Acgih Tlv Mg M3
- 0.4
- Workplace Exposure
- Osha Peltwa_8hr: 0.1 ppm (0.4 mg/m³)stel_15min: nullceiling: nullNiosh Reltwa_8hr: 0.1 ppm (0.4 mg/m³)stel_15min: 0.2 ppm (0.8 mg/m³) - 15 min ceilingceiling: nullidlh: 2 ppmAcgih Tlvtwa_8hr: 0.1 ppmstel_15min: nullceiling: nullBiological Exposure Indices
Physical Properties
Physical characteristics and state information
- Boiling Point
- 8.2°C (46.8°F)
- Melting Point
- -118°C (-180°F)
- Vapor Pressure
- 1173 mmHg @ 20°C
- Vapor Density
- 3.4 (Air=1)
- Specific Gravity
- 1.37 (liquid @ 20°C)
- Flash Point
- Not applicable (non-flammable)
- Autoignition Temp
- Not applicable
- Explosive Limits
- Not applicable
- Appearance
- Colorless gas or fuming liquid
- Odor
- Musty hay or freshly cut grass odor @ 0.4-1.5 ppm - WARNING: Odor threshold ABOVE safe levels
Reactivity
Chemical reactivity and compatibility with other substances
- Stability
- Stable when dry. Hydrolyzes slowly in moist air. Rapidly in water.
- Polymerization
- Will not polymerize
- Incompatible Materials
- Water
- Moisture
- Alcohols
- Ammonia
- Amines
- Active metals (Al, Na, K)
- Metal powders
- Bases
- Hazardous Decomposition
- Hydrogen chloride
- Carbon monoxide
- Carbon dioxide
- Chlorine
- Conditions To Avoid
- Heat
- Moisture
- Water
- Incompatible materials
- Sunlight (promotes decomposition)
- Reactivity Hazard
- Hydrolyzes with water forming hydrochloric acid (corrosive). Reacts violently with active metals. May explode on contact with aluminum powder.
Synonyms & Identifiers
Alternative names and chemical identifiers (CAS numbers)
- Synonyms
- Carbonyl chloride
- Carbon oxychloride
- Carbonyl dichloride
- COCl2
- Common Trade Names
- Other Identifiers
- Rtecs NumberSY5600000Ec Number200-870-3Pubchem Cid6371
