TETRAETHYLLEAD

Tetraethyllead is a highly toxic organolead compound historically used principally as an antiknock and octane-enhancing additive in gasoline.
Tetraethyllead is a colorless, viscous, combustible liquid, although commercial fuel-additive mixtures were often dyed for identification.
Tetraethyllead is now prohibited in United States on-road motor gasoline but remains associated with certain leaded aviation fuels and controlled legacy, analytical, waste-management, and research activities.

CAS Number: 78-00-2
EC Number: 201-075-4
Molecular Formula: C8H20Pb
Molecular Weight: 323.45 g/mol

Synonyms: Tetraethyllead, Tetraethyl Lead, Tetraethylplumbane, Tetraethyl Plumbane, Lead Tetraethyl, Lead Tetraethide, Plumbane, Tetraethyl-, Tetraethylplumbium, Tetraethyl Lead Compound, TEL, PbEt4, Pb(C2H5)4, (C2H5)4Pb, Alkyl Lead, Organic Lead Compound, Organolead Compound, Ethyllead Compound, Gasoline Antiknock Lead Compound, Aviation-Gasoline Lead Additive, Octane-Improving Lead Additive, RCRA Waste Number P110, UN 1649, NSC 22314, NCI-C54988, RTECS TP4550000, DTXSID7023801, CAS 78-00-2, EC 201-075-4, PubChem CID 6511.

APPLICATIONS

Tetraethyllead was historically used as an antiknock additive in automotive gasoline.
Tetraethyllead was historically used to increase the octane rating of gasoline.
Tetraethyllead was historically used to permit higher engine compression ratios without destructive knocking.
Tetraethyllead was historically incorporated into gasoline-additive packages rather than normally supplied to consumers as pure material.

Tetraethyllead was historically used in fuels for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, agricultural machinery, marine engines, racing vehicles, and other spark-ignition equipment.
Tetraethyllead was historically used to improve combustion smoothness in engines designed around leaded fuel.
Tetraethyllead combustion products also helped protect valve seats in some older engine designs.
Tetraethyllead historical fuel use generated widespread atmospheric and environmental lead emissions.

Tetraethyllead use in United States on-road motor gasoline was banned effective January 1, 1996.
Tetraethyllead has been replaced in ordinary road gasoline by unleaded fuel formulations and engine technologies compatible with catalytic converters.
Tetraethyllead is not appropriate for addition to modern road fuel or vehicles designed for unleaded gasoline.
Tetraethyllead road-fuel status must be verified under the laws of the country in which the fuel is manufactured or sold.

Tetraethyllead remains associated with some grades of aviation gasoline used by piston-engine aircraft.
Tetraethyllead is used in such fuels to provide the high octane and detonation resistance required by certain certified aircraft engines.
Tetraethyllead-containing aviation fuel is being progressively displaced as approved unleaded alternatives become available.
Tetraethyllead dependence in United States piston aviation is targeted for safe elimination by the end of 2030 under the FAA-supported EAGLE initiative.

Tetraethyllead is used in controlled aviation-fuel formulation and quality-control operations where leaded aviation gasoline remains authorized.
Tetraethyllead content is measured to confirm that finished fuel complies with the applicable aviation-fuel specification.
Tetraethyllead is handled in these operations through enclosed systems designed to prevent skin absorption, inhalation, and environmental release.
Tetraethyllead is not added to aviation fuel outside qualified facilities operating under fuel-quality, occupational-safety, and environmental controls.

Tetraethyllead was historically used in the manufacture of mixed alkyl-lead fuel additives.
Tetraethyllead was historically blended with scavenging agents intended to reduce lead deposits inside engines.
Tetraethyllead-containing commercial antiknock fluids were mixtures whose hazards differed from those of pure tetraethyllead.
Tetraethyllead should not be treated as interchangeable with tetramethyllead or historical mixed-alkyl-lead formulations.

Tetraethyllead has limited relevance as an organometallic chemical intermediate.
Tetraethyllead has been used historically in research and manufacturing involving other metal-alkyl compounds.
Tetraethyllead is used only in highly controlled organolead chemistry because of its acute toxicity and rapid skin absorption.
Tetraethyllead is unsuitable as a routine teaching-laboratory reagent or general-purpose synthetic reagent.

Tetraethyllead is used as an analytical reference standard in specialized laboratories.
Tetraethyllead is used in gas-chromatography and mass-spectrometry procedures for fuel, workplace, waste, and environmental analysis.
Tetraethyllead is used to calibrate methods designed to distinguish organic lead compounds from inorganic lead.
Tetraethyllead analytical standards require traceability, secure storage, minimal quantities, and closed handling procedures.

Tetraethyllead is monitored at historical fuel-blending sites, refineries, airports, storage facilities, pipelines, and hazardous-waste locations.
Tetraethyllead is evaluated during remediation of contaminated soil, sediment, equipment, and fuel residues.
Tetraethyllead discarded as an unused commercial chemical product is associated with United States RCRA waste code P110.
Tetraethyllead-containing materials must be recovered, treated, transported, and disposed of through authorized hazardous-material and hazardous-waste systems.

DESCRIPTION

Tetraethyllead is an organometallic compound containing one lead atom bonded to four ethyl groups.
Tetraethyllead has the IUPAC name tetraethylplumbane and the structural representation Pb(C2H5)4.
Tetraethyllead has molecular formula C8H20Pb, molecular weight 323.45 g/mol, CAS number 78-00-2, and EC number 201-075-4.
Tetraethyllead should not be confused with inorganic lead, tetramethyllead, ethylated gasoline, or complete commercial antiknock-fluid mixtures.

Tetraethyllead is a colorless viscous liquid with a characteristic or mildly sweet odor.
Tetraethyllead melts near −136.8°C, has a relative density near 1.7, and decomposes when heated above approximately 110°C.
Tetraethyllead is practically insoluble in water, has a vapor pressure near 0.027 kPa at 20°C, and produces vapor substantially heavier than air.
Tetraethyllead is combustible and may form explosive vapor–air mixtures when heated above its flash point of approximately 93°C.

Tetraethyllead can be absorbed through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, and eye exposure.
Tetraethyllead can cause delayed central-nervous-system effects including headache, weakness, insomnia, confusion, tremor, hallucinations, convulsions, unconsciousness, and death.
Tetraethyllead may damage reproduction or development and is very toxic to aquatic organisms with long-lasting effects.
Tetraethyllead exposure requires immediate medical evaluation because serious neurological symptoms may be delayed after the initial contact.

PROPERTIES

Chemical Name: Tetraethyllead
IUPAC Name: Tetraethylplumbane
Alternative Name: Lead Tetraethyl
Common Abbreviation: TEL
Chemical Family: Organolead compounds
Chemical Class: Metal alkyls
CAS Number: 78-00-2
EC Number: 201-075-4
PubChem CID: 6511
RTECS Number: TP4550000
DSSTox Identifier: DTXSID7023801
RCRA Waste Code: P110
UN Number: 1649
Molecular Formula: C8H20Pb
Structural Formula: Pb(C2H5)4
Molecular Weight: 323.45 g/mol
Lead Content: Approximately 64.1% by molecular weight
Physical State: Liquid
Appearance: Colorless viscous liquid
Commercial Appearance: May be dyed red, orange, or blue
Odor: Characteristic, mildly sweet, or pleasant-smelling
Representative Melting Point: Approximately −136.8°C
Thermal Behavior: Decomposes above approximately 110°C
Representative Density: Approximately 1.65–1.70
Water Solubility: Extremely low
Representative Water Solubility: Approximately 0.00002%
Representative Vapor Pressure: Approximately 0.027 kPa at 20°C
Relative Vapor Density: Approximately 8.6
Ionization Potential: Approximately 11.10 eV
Representative Log Pow: Approximately 4.15
Representative Kinematic Viscosity: Approximately 0.44 mm²/s at 20°C
Flash Point: Approximately 93°C closed cup
Autoignition Temperature: Approximately 110°C
Lower Explosive Limit: Approximately 1.8% by volume
Combustibility: Combustible liquid
Primary Historical Function: Gasoline antiknock additive
Current Principal Fuel Association: Certain authorized leaded aviation gasolines
United States On-Road Fuel Status: Prohibited since January 1, 1996
United States Aviation Transition Goal: Elimination of leaded piston-aircraft fuel by the end of 2030
Primary Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, and eye or skin contact
Primary Target Organ: Central nervous system
Other Target Organs: Cardiovascular system, kidneys, and eyes
Acute GHS Hazard Summary: Fatal if swallowed, in contact with skin, or inhaled
Reproductive Hazard Summary: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
Specific-Organ Hazard Summary: Causes nervous-system damage
Repeated-Exposure Hazard Summary: May damage the nervous system through prolonged or repeated exposure
Aquatic Hazard Summary: Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects
NIOSH REL: 0.075 mg/m³ as lead, eight-hour TWA, with skin notation
OSHA PEL: 0.075 mg/m³ as lead, eight-hour TWA, with skin notation
NIOSH IDLH: 40 mg/m³ as lead
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, halogens, sulfuryl chloride, rust, and potassium permanganate
Material Compatibility: May attack rubber, certain plastics, and coatings
Thermal-Decomposition Products: Toxic lead-containing fumes
Transport Identification: UN 1649
Storage Conditions: Cool, secure, ventilated storage in tightly closed compatible containers
Environmental Precaution: Prevent every uncontrolled release
Waste Status: Highly regulated and jurisdiction dependent

Identity, physical-property, exposure-limit, and hazard values are based principally on the current ICSC and NIOSH records.

FIRST AID

Inhalation:
Immediately remove the affected person to fresh air without exposing rescuers.
Keep the person at rest and obtain emergency medical attention even when early symptoms appear mild.
Provide respiratory support through trained personnel when breathing is impaired.

Skin Contact:
Immediately remove contaminated clothing, footwear, watches, and other affected items.
Rinse the skin thoroughly and wash with soap and water.
Obtain immediate medical attention because rapid and potentially fatal skin absorption can occur.

Eye Contact:
Immediately rinse the eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes.
Remove contact lenses when this can be done easily without delaying irrigation.
Obtain immediate medical evaluation.

Ingestion:
Rinse the mouth and do not induce vomiting unless directed by medical professionals.
Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious or convulsing person.
Contact emergency medical services or a poison center immediately.

Note to Physicians:
Treat as severe organic-lead poisoning and provide intensive supportive care.
Monitor neurological, cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic status.
Continue observation because neuropsychiatric and systemic effects may be delayed.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling:
Restrict access to specifically trained personnel.
Use fully enclosed transfer, sampling, blending, and analytical equipment wherever technically possible.
Prevent mist generation and avoid all inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye exposure.

Engineering Controls:
Provide effective local exhaust ventilation at every potential release point.
Use closed pumping and dry-break connection systems.
Monitor workplace air and assess biological exposure in accordance with an occupational-health program.

Personal Protection:
Wear chemically resistant gloves selected from verified permeation data.
Wear fully protective clothing, chemical goggles, and a face shield.
Do not use ordinary disposable clothing as the sole protection against liquid penetration.

Respiratory Protection:
Use supplied-air respiratory protection where exposure cannot be prevented through enclosure.
Use positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus for emergencies, unknown concentrations, or IDLH conditions.
Do not rely on odor to detect hazardous exposure.

Storage:
Store in tightly closed, leak-resistant, chemically compatible containers.
Maintain a cool, secure, bunded, and well-ventilated poison-storage area.
Keep away from heat, ignition sources, oxidizers, acids, halogens, rust, and incompatible construction materials.

Fire and Explosion:
Prevent open flames and uncontrolled ignition sources.
Use a closed system and effective ventilation when the material is heated.
Fight fires from a protected position because containers and decomposition products present severe hazards.

Spill and Leak Procedures:
Evacuate the danger area and obtain specialist hazardous-material assistance.
Wear complete protective clothing and positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.
Collect leaking liquid in sealable compatible containers and absorb residues with dry inert material.

Environmental Precautions:
Prevent entry into soil, drains, sewers, groundwater, and surface water.
Treat every uncontrolled release as a serious toxic and environmental incident.
Arrange environmental monitoring and regulatory notification where required.

Decontamination:
Do not take contaminated work clothing home.
Segregate contaminated garments and equipment for specialist decontamination or disposal.
Do not reuse containers without documented professional cleaning and verification.

Waste Disposal:
Do not dispose of Tetraethyllead with ordinary industrial waste.
Use an authorized hazardous-waste contractor experienced with organolead materials.
Apply RCRA P110 requirements where relevant in the United States.

Handling Precautions:
Maintain immediate access to emergency washing and medical-response facilities.
Use the current regional SDS and product-specific transport classification.
Follow all occupational-lead, hazardous-waste, air-emission, fuel, transport, and environmental regulations.