Tetramethyllead

Chemical properties

Tetramethyl lead is a flammable, colourless liquid with a slightly sweet odour. Tetramethyl lead is insoluble in water but is soluble in most organic solvents, alcohol, benzene, and petroleum ether. Tetramethyl lead is incompatible with tetrachloro trifluoromethyl phosphorus, strong oxidisers, sulphuryl chloride, and potassium permanganate. Tetramethyl lead on hazardous decomposition releases toxic gases and particulates, such as lead fumes and carbon monoxide. It may cause fires and explosions. The commercial product is often dyed red, orange, or blue. Tetramethyl lead is frequently mixed with smaller amounts of ethylene dibromide, ethylene dichloride, dyes, kerosene, stabilisers, and inert substances.

Chemical properties

Tetramethyl lead is a colorless liquid with a slight musty odor. In commerce it is usually dyed red, orange or blue.

The Uses of Tetramethyllead

Anti-knock motor fuel additive

The Uses of Tetramethyllead

Gasoline additive, especially to aviation and premium grades with high aromatic content。

Definition

ChEBI: Tetramethyllead is an organolead compound.

General Description

Colorless liquid, dyed red, orange or blue. Has a slight musty odor. Used as an antiknock additive for gasolines; component of mixed alkyl leads for gasoline additives.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable.

Reactivity Profile

Tetramethyllead is sensitive to heat. Tetramethyllead can react with strong oxidizers.

Hazard

Flammable, moderate fire risk. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption. Lower explosion level 1.8%. Central nervous system impairment. Questionable carcinogen.

Health Hazard

Vapors are very toxic. Fatal lead poisoning may occur by ingestion, vapor inhalation or skin absorption. Several cases of acute toxicity, usually in the form of degenerative brain disease, have been described following occupational exposure.

Fire Hazard

Thermal decomposition is likely to take the form of vapors at the surface. Rapid decomposition will cause container to explode. Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. Toxic gases are generated in fire. Avoid strong oxidizers such as sulfuryl chloride or potassium permanganate. Avoid fire, heat, physical damage, and strong oxidizers. Starts to decompose at about 212F. If confined, may explode or detonate at high temperatures. Hazardous polymerization may not occur.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, parenteral, and intravenous routes. Moderately toxic by skin contact. An experimental teratogen. Experimental reproductive effects. Lead and its compounds have dangerous central nervous system effects. A flammable liquid and very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. Moderate explosion hazard in the form of vapor when exposed to flame. May explode when heated above 90℃. Explosive reaction with tetrachlorotrifluoromethyl phosphorane. Can react vigorously with oxidzing materials. To fight fire, use water, foam, CO2, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Pb. Used as an octane enhancer for gasoline. See also LEAD COMPOUNDS.

Potential Exposure

Those engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and blending into gasoline of this antiknock agent for aviation gasoline.

Carcinogenicity

TML was not mutagenic in a number of bacterial strains with or without metabolic activation.

Shipping

UN1649 Motor fuel antiknock mixtures, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials.

Incompatibilities

Highly flammable liquid; Vapors may form explosive mixture with air. Violent reaction with oxidizers, such as sulfuryl chloride or potassium permanganate; strong acids; especially nitric acid; chemically active metals. Decomposes and may explode in heat above 90C. Attacks rubber.

Waste Disposal

Controlled incineration with scrubbing for collection of lead oxides which may be recycled or landfilled. It is also possible to recover alkyl lead compounds from wastewaters (A-58) as an alternative to disposal.