Hydrochloric Acid

Product: Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric acid is a clear, colorless, highly pungent solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in water. It is a highly corrosive, strong mineral acid with many industrial uses. Hydrochloric acid is found naturally in gastric acid. When it reacts with an organic base it forms a hydrochloride salt. hydrochloric acid is a colourless inorganic chemical system with the formula HCL . Hydrochloric acid has a distinctive pungent smell. It is classified as strongly acidic and can attack the skin over a wide composition range, since the hydrogen chloride composition range, since the hydrogen chloride completely dissociates in an aqueous solution.

It was historically called acidum salis, muriatic acid, and spirits of salt because it was produced from rock salt and green vitriol (by Basilius Valentin’s in the 15th century) and later from the chemically similar common salt and sulfuric acid (by Johann Rudolph Glauber in the 17th century). Free hydrochloric acid was first formally described in the 16th century by Libavius. Later, it was used by chemists such as Glauber, Priestley, and Davy in their scientific research.

With major production starting in the Industrial Revolution, hydrochloric acid is used in the chemical industry as a chemical reagent in the large-scale production of vinyl chloride for PVC plastic, and MDI/TDI for polyurethane. It has numerous smaller-scale applications, including household cleaning, production of gelatin and other food additives, descaling, and leather processing. About 20 million tonnes of hydrochloric acid are produced worldwide annually.

Etymology

Hydrochloric acid was known to European alchemists as spirits of salt or acidum salis ( salt acid ) . Both names are still used , especially in other languages , such as German : Dutch , Polish : Gaseous HCL was called marine acid air.

Structure and Reactions

Hydrochloric acid is the salt of the hydronium ion , H3O+ and chloride . It is usually prepared by treating HCL with water .
HCL + H2O -HO + CI-

However , the speciation of hydrochloric acid is more complicated than this simple equation implies . The structure of bulk water is infamously complex , and likewise , the formula HO+ is also a gross oversimplification , H+ , present in hydrochloric acid . A combined IR , Raman , X -ray and neutron diffraction study of concentrated solution of hydrochloric acid revealed that the primary form of H+ in these solution is H5O2+ , which along with the chloride anion , is hydrogen – bonded to neighboring water molecules in several different ways , ( In H5O2+ , the proton is sandwiched midway between two water molecules at 180 deg . ) . The author suggests that H3O+ may become more important in dilute HCL solutions.

Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid, since it is completely dissociated in water. It can therefore be used to prepare salts containing the CI- anion called chlorides.

Hydrochloric acid is used in chemical analysis to prepare samples for analysis. Concentrated hydrochloric acid dissolves many metals and forms oxidized metal chlorides and hydrogen gas . It also reacts with besic compounds such as calcium carbonate or copper oxide , forming the dissolved chlorides that can be analyzed.

Applications

Hydrochloric acid is a strong inorganic acid that is used in many industrial processes such as refining metal. The application often determines the required product quality.

Production of Organic Compounds

Another major use hydrochloric acid is in the production of organic compounds, such as vinyl chloride and dichloroethane for PVC. This is often captive use, consuming locally produced hydrochloric acid that never actually reaches the open market. Other organic compounds produced with hydrochloric acid include bisphenol, A for polycarbonate, activated carbon , and ascorbic acid, as well as numerous pharmaceutical products.
2H2C = CH2 + 4HCL + O2 – 2CICH2CH2CI + 2H2C

Potential Acute Health Effects:
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, eye contact
Inhalation: Corrosive. May cause damage to mucous membranes in nose, throat, lungs and bronchial
system.
Ingestion: Corrosive. Harmful if swallowed. May produce burns to the lips, oral cavity, upper airway,
esophagus and digestive tract.
Skin Contact: Corrosive. Causes severe burns.
Eye Contact: Corrosive. Causes severe burns. Vapor or spray may cause eye damage, impaired sight or
blindness.

First Aid Procedures:
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. If the victim is not
breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Get medical attention immediately.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, keep head low so that vomit does not enter
lungs. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. GET MEDICAL
ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.
Skin Contact: Flush affected area with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated
clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Get medical attention immediately.
Eye Contact: Check for and remove contact lenses. Immediately flush eyes with gentle but large stream
of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical
attention immediately.
General Advice: In the case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the
label where possible). Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved
and take precautions to protect themselves. Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in
attendance.
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically. Keep victim under observation .

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Personal Precautions: Ventilate area of leak or spill. Isolate hazard area and keep unnecessary and unprotected
personnel away from the area of the leak or spill. Keep upwind. Keep out of low areas.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in the Exposure Control and
Personal Protection Section 8. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not contaminate water. Avoid
discharge into drains, water courses or onto the ground. In case of large spill, dike if
needed.
Methods for Containment: Stop the flow of material, if this is without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewer,
basements or confined areas. Dike the spilled material, where this is possible.
Methods for Cleaning Up: Absorb spill with an inert material (e.g. vermiculite, dry sand, earth, cloth, fleece), and place
in a suitable non-combustible container for reclamation or disposal. Do not use combustible
materials, such as sawdust. Clean contaminated surface thoroughly. Neutralize spill area
and washings with soda ash or lime. Never return spills in original containers for re-use.
Clean up in accordance with all applicable regulations .

HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling: Wear personal protective equipment (see section 8). Use only in well-ventilated areas.
Provide sufficient air exchange and/or exhaust in work rooms. Avoid contact with skin, eyes
and clothing. Do not breathe vapors or spray mist. Do not ingest. When using, do not eat,
smoke, or drink. Keep away from incompatible materials. Handle in accordance with good
industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash thoroughly after handling. Containers of this
material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (vapors, liquids).
Observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product Use caution when combining
with water. DO NOT add water to acid. ALWAYS add acid to water while stirring to prevent
release of heat, steam, and fumes.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, ventilated area away from incompatible materials. Store in original
container. Keep containers tightly closed and upright. Keep away from food, drink and
animal feeding stuffs. Keep out of the reach of children.

Eye/Face Protection: Wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles and a face shield.
Skin Protection: Wear appropriate chemical resistant clothing (with long sleeves) and appropriate chemical
resistant gloves.
Respiratory Protection: If engineering controls do not maintain airborne concentrations below recommended
exposure limits (where applicable) or to an acceptable level (in countries where exposure
limits have not been established), an approved respirator must be worn. Respirator type:
Chemical respirator with acid gas cartridge. Use a positive-pressure air-supplied respirator
if there is any potential for an uncontrolled release, exposure levels are not known, or any
other circumstances where air-purifying respirators may not provide adequate protection.
General Hygiene Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. When using, do not eat, drink or smoke. Always
Considerations: observe good personal hygiene measures, such as washing after handling the material and
before eating, drinking, and/or smoking. Routinely wash work clothing and protective
equipment to remove contaminants. Provide eyewash station and safety shower .

ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicological Data: LC50 Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis): 282 mg/L 96 H
Ecotoxicity: This product may affect the acidity (pH) in water with risk of harmful effects to aquatic
organisms.
Environmental Effects: An environmental hazard cannot be excluded in the event of unprofessional handling or
disposal.
Persistence and Degradability: Expected to be readily biodegradable.