Chemical Name: 3,3',4,4'-Biphenyltetracarboxylic Dianhydride
Synonyms: BPDA
Chemical Formula: C16H6O6
Appearance: Pale yellow to off-white crystalline powder
Use: Raw material for polyimide resins, high-temperature plastics, thin films, and specialty coatings
Health Hazards: Inhalation of dust may cause irritation to the nose, throat, or respiratory tract. Skin contact can lead to dryness or slight irritation. Eye contact can result in redness, watering, or stinging sensations. In sensitive individuals, repeated exposure may trigger allergic skin reactions.
Fire Hazards: Powder can form flammable dust clouds under specific conditions. Thermal decomposition releases carbon oxides and other hazardous vapors.
Environmental Hazards: Spilled material may pose long-term risks to aquatic and terrestrial environments if not contained and properly managed.
Chemical Composition: 3,3',4,4'-Biphenyltetracarboxylic Dianhydride as the sole significant ingredient
CAS Number: 2420-87-3
Impurities: Trace anhydride-related compounds may occur during handling, but rarely reach levels of concern for industrial applications
Inhalation: Move exposed workers to fresh air. Keep them calm and under observation for persistent cough or difficulty breathing. Offer medical support if irritation persists.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and wash the affected skin with plenty of water and gentle soap. Seek medical attention for signs of ongoing irritation.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes carefully with water for at least fifteen minutes, separating eyelids with clean fingers. Get medical advice if stinging or redness continues.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, avoid inducing vomiting. Get urgent medical attention if large amounts were taken in or if symptoms develop
Suitable Extinguishers: Dry chemical, CO2, foam, or water spray
Specific Hazards: Burning product releases toxic vapors, including carbon monoxide and dioxide. Fine particles may support combustion with the right air-to-dust ratio.
Advice for Firefighters: Wear full protective gear, including a self-contained breathing apparatus. Cool down any nearby closed containers to prevent pressure build-up or ruptures. Cut off ignition sources in the vicinity.
Personal Precautions: Provide proper personal protection, such as dust masks, gloves, and chemical-resistant clothing. Evacuate non-essential personnel from affected zones.
Spill Cleanup: Sweep up spilled material with minimal dust generation. Collect in suitable labeled containers for disposal. Clean surfaces with water, avoiding runoff into drains or soil.
Environmental Protection: Prevent entry into waterways, sanitary sewers, or soil to lower environmental risks.
Handling: Employ engineering controls to minimize airborne particles—use closed systems where possible. Avoid creating dusty atmospheres. Provide extraction or local exhaust at points where dust may get released. Wash hands and face thoroughly before eating or drinking. Label all containers clearly.
Storage: Store in tightly-sealed, corrosion-resistant containers. Place away from heat sources, moisture, and incompatible chemicals. Maintain dry, well-ventilated storage areas with controlled humidity to avoid clumping or hydrolysis.
Engineering Controls: Install adequate ventilation within processing and storage locations. Fit equipment with dust collection systems where feasible.
Personal Protective Equipment: Select gloves impervious to chemicals, dust-tight goggles or face shields, and long-sleeved protective garments. In situations with little airflow, use respiratory protection designed for fine particulates.
Hygienic Measures: Workers should not eat, drink, or smoke in work areas. Clean up dust from surfaces regularly. Remove contaminated clothes before leaving production or research areas.
Appearance: Fine, pale yellow crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless at room temperature
Melting Point: Approximately 300 °C
Boiling Point: Decomposes upon heating before reaching a boiling stage
Solubility: Practically insoluble in water; soluble in select polar organic solvents
Other Properties: Stable under sealed, dry conditions; susceptible to moisture-driven hydrolysis at elevated humidity
Chemical Stability: Stable in closed containers, away from moisture or heat
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid exposure to water vapor and high temperatures
Incompatible Materials: Reacts with strong bases, ammonia, amines, and water. Generates acidic byproducts. Avoid mixing with oxidizing agents.
Decomposition Products: Overheating or contact with water releases phthalic acids, carbon oxides, and irritating organic vapors
Routes of Exposure: Mainly through inhalation of powders or direct skin and eye contact
Acute Effects: Respiratory or mucous membrane irritation, mild skin dryness, transient burning in eyes
Chronic Effects: Repeated, unprotected exposure may increase sensitivity and elicit allergic skin reactions for susceptible workers. No strong evidence of mutagenic or carcinogenic risks under controlled exposure conditions.
Toxicity Data: Published studies indicate a low acute toxicity for rats (oral routes). Localized effects dominate real-world exposures.
Persistence and Degradability: The anhydride ring hydrolyzes in humid air, forming acids that can persist in soil or water. Incomplete breakdown in aquatic settings may affect sediment quality.
Bioaccumulation: No evidence for significant accumulation in higher organisms
Aquatic Toxicity: Releases into waterways can stress aquatic communities, particularly invertebrates and algae. Strict spill management avoids downstream harm.
Recommended Disposal: Dispose collected powders or contaminated cleanup materials by high-temperature incineration in permitted facilities. Observe regional waste regulations. Prohibit disposal via drains or unsanctioned landfilling.
Recycling: Some waste streams from closed-loop manufacturing may be recoverable, but post-consumer reprocessing remains rare and specialized.
UN Classification: No standard dangerous goods designation for this substance under bulk shipping codes.
Transportation Precautions: Use sealed, labeled, and moisture-resistant packaging. Avoid shipment with alkalis, oxidants, or humid cargoes.
Handling in Transit: Prevent spills and exposures by ensuring containers remain closed, protected from shocks or punctures. Mark consignments to communicate dust hazard awareness for handlers and receivers.
Occupational Exposure Limits: Consult pertinent national or local guidelines, as no formal limits exist in several jurisdictions. Strong dust control procedures remain standard industrial practice.
Registration and Inventory: This substance generally appears in chemical control lists, including REACH, TSCA, and similar inventory frameworks subject to annual reporting and use assessment.
Worker Health and Environmental Laws: Sites using BPDA must uphold air quality thresholds for dust and comply with hazardous waste disposal, water protection, and workplace monitoring statutes.
