| Description | Carbon tetrabromide is considered a highly toxic chemical,
may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin.
It is metabolized in vitro to produce carbon monoxide but
the in vivo significance has not been established. Under
anaerobic reducing conditions it forms complexes with
ferrous cytochrome P450. Carbon monoxide is detected as
a metabolic product of the interaction. Carbon tetrabromide’s
production and use in organic syntheses may
result in its release to the environment through various waste
streams. Carbon tetrabromide has been isolated from red
algae, Asparagopsis toxiformis, found in the ocean near Hawaii.
It was detected in water from treated chlorinated seawater
used for drinking at oil platforms. Occupational exposure to
carbon tetrabromide may occur through inhalation and
dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where it is
produced or used. The general population may be exposed to
carbon tetrabromide via ingestion of drinking water. Acute
exposures to high concentrations may cause upper respiratory
tract irritation and injury to lungs, liver (hepatotoxicity)
and kidneys (nephrotoxicity). Chronic exposure effects at
very low levels will be almost entirely limited to liver injury.
It is a potent lachrymator even at low exposure concentrations.
Although carbon tetrabromide may release bromine
ions during metabolism, clinical bromism is not expected to
occur. |
| Chemical Properties | Crystalline colorless |
| Chemical Properties | Carbon tetrabromide, is a colorless powder,
white crystalline solid, or yellow-brown crystals. Slight
odor |
| Uses | Used to a limited extent as an intermediate
in organic synthesis |
| Uses | Organic synthesis. |
| Uses | Carbon tetrabromide is used to a limited extent as a chemical
intermediate. It has been isolated from red algae, Asparagopsis
toxiformis, found in the ocean near Hawaii. |
| Definition | ChEBI: A one-carbon compound substituted by 4 bromo groups. |
| General Description | A colorless crystalline solid. Much more dense than water and insoluble in water. Toxic by ingestion. Vapors are narcotic in high concentration. Used to make other chemicals. |
| Air & Water Reactions | Insoluble in water. |
| Reactivity Profile | Carbon tetrabromide is incompatible with the following: Strong oxidizers, hexacyclohexyldilead, lithium . |
| Hazard | A poison; narcotic in high concentration.
Liver damage, eye, skin, and upper respiratory tract
irritant.
|
| Health Hazard | Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin. 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 | Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways. |
| Safety Profile | Poison by
subcutaneous and intravenous routes.
Narcotic in high concentration. Mixture
with Li particles is an impact-sensitive
explosive. Explodes on contact with
hexacyclohexylddead. When heated to
decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Br-.
See also CHLORINATED
HYDROCARBONS, ALIPHATIC. |
| Potential Exposure | CBr4 is used in organic synthesis. |
| Environmental Fate | Carbon tetrabromide inhibits protein synthesis and causes
lipid peroxidation, both of which may be involved in cell injury
or death mediated by free radicals. |
| Shipping | UN2516 Carbon tetrabromide, Hazard Class:
6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials. |
| Purification Methods | Reactive bromide is removed from CBr4 by refluxing with dilute aqueous Na2CO3, then steam distilling, crystallising from EtOH, and drying in the dark under vacuum. [Sharpe & Walker J Chem Soc 157 1962.] It can be sublimed at 70o and low pressure. [Beilstein 1 IV 85.] |
| Toxicity evaluation | Carbon tetrabromide is a colorless nonflammable solid at
room temperature. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in several organic solvents such as alcohol, ether, and chloroform.
Its specific gravity is 3.42, melting point is 90°C, boiling point
is 189°C, and vapor pressure is 0.72 torr at 25°C. Production
and use of carbon tetrabromide may result in its release in the
environment through various hazardous waste streams.
Carbon tetrabromide is expected to have very high mobility in
soil and volatilizes slowly from dry soil surface. Its biodegradation
is expected to be slow and to exist solely as a vapor in
the ambient atmosphere. It is not expected to adsorb to suspended
solids and sediment in the water column. Its potential
for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is moderate. |
| Incompatibilities | Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates,
nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine,
bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases,
strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, lithium and hexacyclohexyldiilead, since violent reactions may occur.
|
| Waste Disposal | Purify by distillation and
return to suppliers. |
