Diborane

Synonyms & Trade Names

Boroethane, Boron hydride, Diboron hexahydride

Physical Description

Colorless gas with a repulsive, sweet odor. [Note: Usually shipped in pressurized cylinders diluted with hydrogen, argon, nitrogen, or helium.]

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Water, halogenated compounds, aluminum, lithium, oxidized surfaces, acids [Note: Will ignite spontaneously in moist air at room temperature. Reacts with water to form hydrogen & boric acid.]

Symptoms

Chest tightness, precordial pain, short breath, nonproductive cough, nausea; headache, dizziness, chills, fever, lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), tremor, muscle fasciculation; In Animals: liver, kidney damage; pulmonary edema; hemorrhage

Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH/OSHA

Up to 1 ppm:
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator

Up to 2.5 ppm:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode

Up to 5 ppm:
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Up to 15 ppm:
(APF = 1000) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection