About This Archive  | DCHAS-L 2004 Index   | DCHAS-L Yearly Index
person wearing a disposable face shield and surgical style mask

Check out Safety Emporium for your N95, N99, and face shield needs.

Previous by Date:
Subject: CHAS Programming Survey (2ND TRY)
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 13:14:04 -0800
Author: Jim Kapin 		Next by Date:
Subject: Division Needs
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 13:13:28 -0800
Author: Neal Langerman


Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 14:48:37 -0600
Reply-To: Rebecca Schafer <rebecca_schafer**At_Symbol_Here**CERILLIANT.COM>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Rebecca Schafer <rebecca_schafer**At_Symbol_Here**CERILLIANT.COM>
Organization: Cerilliant
Subject: Borane Complex Safety
Does anyone have any ideas about the following?

A reaction mixture containing L-Selectride (lithium tri-sec butyl
borohydride) was quenched with 2N HCl until the pH of the solution was 1.
 The aqueous solution was then extracted with ethyl acetate to remove what
was thought to be boron side products from the quench.  The ethyl acetate
extraction pulled all of the THF from the aqueous layer. The volume of this
"organic" material was reduced leaving approximately 4 L of a yellow-green
liquid with some yellow foamy solid in the bottom.  The free flowing
material was transferred to another vessel leaving some yellow foamy solid
in the round bottom flask.  This flask was being rinsed with a small
portion of methanol when it began emitting a bit of smoke.  The methanol
addition was stopped and a few seconds later, the flask erupted with a
greenish flame.  The fire was put out immediately and no injuries or
damages were incurred.  We are trying to establish what the liquid may be
as well as the foamy solid.  Does anyone have any experience dealing with
boranes/borane complexes?  Is it possible that the remaining liquid
(insoluble in water with no exotherm) is tri-sec-butylborane?  ( how can
that be since its not reactive with water?)  This liquid is also less dense
than water.

We are trying to determine how to quench this material or how to designate
it for disposal.  We would like to handle this in a safe manner and until
we have an idea about what it may be it poses a large hazard. We have
segregated the material and we are researching the possibilities.  Any help
that can be given based on the description above would be appreciated.

Thank you

Rebecca Schafer
Environmental Affairs Coordinator
Cerilliant Corporation
811 Paloma Drive, Suite A
Round Rock, TX 78664
512-310-5185 (direct)
512-238-9129 (fax)
rebecca_schafer**At_Symbol_Here**cerilliant.com

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post


The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.