t-butyllithium in heptane

Shipping hazardous materials of any sort poses a massive risk to people.  The people most at risk is the person packaging the material, the person transporting it, and the person opening the package.  However certain materials can put large amounts of people in danger.  In this scenario, we are going to talk about transporting a very hazardous chemical.  The chemical is known as t-butyl-lithium in heptane (heptane is the solvent).  This is classified as a pyrophoric liquid. Pyrophoric chemicals are liquids and solids that have the potential to spontaneously ignite in air at temperatures of 130 degrees Fahrenheit/ 54 degrees Celsius or below. It also has corrosive, water reactive, and peroxide forming properties.  TBL (t-butyl-lithium) will catch fire if exposed to oxygen/air.  If exposed to water, TBL reacts very violently and gives off flammable gases and corrosive dust.  TBL is so reactive with water; even the moisture from your body or skin will cause it to react, if the oxygen in the air has not already caught it on fire.  Inhaling the vapors from TBL is very dangerous. 

Inhalation of vapors may cause dizziness, nausea, anesthesia, numbness, motor weakness in fingers and toes, incoordination, and headaches.  If ingested, TBL may produce a lung aspiration.   As you can see, this chemical is very dangerous in many ways.  When shipping this chemical, it is to be kept free of contact from water, air, and oxidizing materials.  When being handled, personnel should wear a full-face mask and gloves at the very least.  The environment in which TBL is being handled should be a closed system under argon and nitrogen gases.  TBL should be kept away from any sparks and flames.  Storage containers should be protected, and physically inspected for leaks and physical damage.  Shipping TBL should be very carefully carried out.    The package containing TBL should show that it is an organometallic substance, that it is a liquid, that it is pyrophoric, and that it is water reactive.  The package should also be labeled “T-BUTYLLITHIUM, HYDROCARBON SOLUTION, 4.2(4.3), UN 3394, PG I”.  Shipments also require a “Dangerous When Wet” and “Spontaneously Combustible” label(s).  Transport of TBL by post, parcel, and air, are prohibited in the United States.  It is however aloud to be transported by roadway and railway in class 4.2(4.3)(DOT).  All shipments on roadways need to be carried out in a DOT(Department of Transportation) approved vehicle.  It is also aloud to be transported by sea in class 4.2(4.3)(IMDG).   When shipping TBL the container is not to be filled more than 90 percent of its potential capacity.  The extra space in containers is filled with an inert gas like nitrogen.  Glass containers are fitted with a septum so the chemical can be retrieved with a syringe.  Other containers are slightly pressurized and fitted with one-way valves to prevent air contamination.  Containers should be air and watertight.  Containers should also have an extremely robust outer shell to ensure the TBL does not escape.  More than one layer of containment is highly recommended due to the extreme danger TBL poses.   Vehicles carrying the chemical should be clearly marked as hazardous material transporters.