Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan .
Refer to instructions for assistance.
Department:
Chemistry
Date SOP was written:
11/17/2012
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor:
Lab Phone:
1/13/2013
Principal Investigator:
Richmond Sarpong
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Rebecca Murphy
510-643-2485
Office Phone:
Emergency Contact:
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
510-643-2485
Richmond Sarpong 626-644-2407
(Name and Phone Number)
Latimer 834, 836, 837, 838, 839, 843, 844, 847, 849,
907
(Building/Room Number)
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☒
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Zinc cyanide is a highly toxic compound that is used mainly for electroplating zinc and as a catalyst for the cyanosilylation of aldehydes and ketones. Moreover, it is also used to introduce the formyl group in organic synthesis. Zn(CN)
2
is insoluble in most solvents. The solid dissolves in, or more precisely, is degraded by, aqueous solutions of basic ligands such as hydroxide, ammonia, and additional cyanide to give anionic complexes. .
CAS#: 557-21-1
Class: Acute toxin
Molecular Formula: Zn(CN)
2
Form (physical state): Solid
Color: Beige
Zinc Cyanide. 1 Date: 1/08/2013
Written By/Reviewed By:

Boiling point: NA
Zinc cyanide may be fatal if inhaled. It may cause respiratory tract irritation. It may be fatal if swallowed or absorbed through skin. It can cause skin and eye irritation. The signs and symptoms of exposure are
Nausea, Dizziness, Headache, Lung irritation, Cyanosis, Central nervous system depression.
LD50/LC50: Oral, rat: LD50 = 54 mg/kg
Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. Use adequate ventilation to keep airborne concentrations low. Zinc cyanide must strictly be only used in a fume hood. It is never to be used outside of the fume hood. See 29CFR 1910.1003 for specific regulatory requirements applying to areas containing a listed carcinogen, signs, training, reports, and medical surveillance programs
NOTE: Lab-specific information on PPE selection may be included in Lab Specific Instructions.
Respiratory Protection
NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by
EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement.
Refer to 8 CCR 5144 for selection of respirators. A respiratory protection program that meets 8 CCR
5144 must be followed whenever workplace conditions warrant use of a respirator.
Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:

As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been exhausted).

When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that
PEL will be exceeded.

Regulations require the use of a respirator.

An employer requires the use of a respirator.

There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of PEL)

As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Hand Protection
Handle with gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique
(without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.
For glove selection, go to: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-glove-selection-andusage.html
Zinc Cyanide. 2 Date: 1/08/2013
Written By/Reviewed By:

Eye Protection
Safety glasses with side shields or tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch minimum) when appropriate. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU) or ANSI Z87.1.
Skin and Body Protection
Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and flame resistant
(where appropriate) lab coat must be worn for protecting against chemical hazards.
Additional PPE may be required if procedures or processes present additional risk. It is the responsibility of the PI to ensure that any additional PPE requirements are identified and communicated to research staff.
Storage
Use unbreakable secondary containment for the storage of acutely toxic chemicals. If the materials are volatile (or could react with moisture or air to form volatile toxic compounds), containers should be in a ventilated storage area. All containers of acutely toxic chemicals should be clearly labeled with chemical composition, known hazards, and warnings for handling.
Chemicals that can combine to make toxic materials (e.g., acids and inorganic cyanides, which can generate hydrogen cyanide) should not be stored in the same secondary containment. Chemicals that have a limited shelf life need to be tracked and monitored. Chemicals that require refrigeration should be stored appropriately.
Spill Response and Exposure Response
Before beginning work with chemicals, review the relevant SOPs, Safety Data Sheets, and other chemical safety resources. Develop specific procedures for emergency response and chemical exposure or injury to staff, including any special first aid measures required for the relevant chemicals.
Zinc Cyanide. 3 Date: 1/08/2013
Written By/Reviewed By:

Spill and Accident Procedure
Note: These responses may not apply to all acutely toxic chemicals. Please review specific chemical
SOPs and SDSs for specific response to spills and accidents. Always dial 911 and 510-642-9090 for assistance.
Chemical Spill Dial 911
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.). Dial 911 and 510-642-9090 for assistance.
Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with
a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeballs and inner surfaces of eyelids with water from the emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Medical Emergency Dial 911
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends and Holidays – Dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang Health Center). After hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang
Health Center). After hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the
incident.
Zinc Cyanide. 4 Date: 1/08/2013
Written By/Reviewed By:

Hazardous Waste Disposal
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste

Label all containers with the label provided at http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-newhazardous-waste-program-hwp.html. See the EH&S Fact Sheet, “Hazardous Waste
Management ” for general instructions on procedures for disposing of hazardous waste.
Dispose of Waste

Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within six (6) months.

Call EH&S for questions
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
SDS can be accessed online at http://ucmsds.com
Zinc Cyanide. 5 Date: 1/08/2013
Written By/Reviewed By:

CAS#: 557-21-1
Preparation Open the bottle of Zinc cyanide in a well-ventilated hood.
Run the reaction in a well-ventilated hood. Upon completion of the reaction and work-up, dispose of any excess reagent or solutions containing the reagent by rinsing it into a pre-labeled waste container using a basic aqueous solution.
Lab-specific
Information
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before beginning work.
Any lab debris that is contaminated with the reagent should be placed in a sealed bag (within a puncture-proof container) or sealed plastic bottle in secondary containment and disposed of immediately.
Procedure/Use
Notes
Initials of individuals using this procedure
Scale
<1 mg to a maximum of
500 mg
Engineering
Controls/Equipment
PPE (eye, face, gloves, clothing) Procedure Steps and Special
Precautions for this Procedure
Put on appropriate personal Weigh out the appropriate amount of protective equipment (gloves, lab coat, safety glasses).
zinc cyanide onto a piece of weigh paper or into a reaction vessel using a metal spatula in a well-ventilated hood.
Close the chemical bottle and place
Parafilm around the lid to seal the container and minimize contact of the reagent with moisture.
Clean the metal spatula and weigh paper by rinsing it with a slightly basic aqueous solution into a pre-labeled waste container in the well-ventilated hood.
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Zinc Cyanide. 6 Date: 1/08/2013
Written By/Reviewed By:

Documentation of Training (signature and initials of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with Zinc Cyanide, designated personnel must provide training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with the specific chemical(s) used, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
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Date: 1/08/2013
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