Material Safety Data Sheet: l-Norepinephrine Bitartrate

Identification

Product Name: l-Norepinephrine Bitartrate
Synonyms: Levarterenol bitartrate, (-)-Norepinephrine bitartrate
Chemical Formula: C8H11NO3.C4H6O6
Molecular Weight: 337.3 g/mol
CAS Number: 108341-18-0
Intended Use: Laboratory chemical, pharmaceutical ingredient
Supplier: Accurate supplier contact info improves traceability; seek out established providers with clear provenance.
Contact: Partner with staff who have handled hazardous chemicals, and establish emergency response contacts.

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute Toxicity (Inhalation, Oral, Dermal), Eye and Skin Irritant
Label Elements: Signal word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes irritation to skin and eyes, harmful if swallowed or inhaled, may cause respiratory irritation, may cause adverse cardiovascular effects.
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves and eye protection, avoid breathing dust or vapors, handle within chemical fume hood, wash thoroughly after handling.
Emergency Overview: Dust or solutions can irritate mucous membranes; accidental exposure may cause increased blood pressure and heart palpitations.
GHS Pictograms: Exclamation mark, health hazard

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: l-Norepinephrine Bitartrate
Purity: Predominantly ≥98% active ingredient
Impurities: Trace process-related substances (analysis reports essential)
Ingredient CAS Number: 108341-18-0
Other Components: Any residual solvents or process aids should remain below defined thresholds; regular quality checks support safety and consistency.

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove individual to fresh air; support breathing if discomfort or distress occurs; seek immediate medical attention and bring product label.
Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water for a minimum of 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, seek advice from a healthcare professional as irritation may not be immediately obvious.
Eye Contact: Promptly flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, keep eyelids open, remove contact lenses if present, seek ophthalmologist evaluation.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, drink water if conscious, do not induce vomiting except on medical advice, prompt emergency evaluation crucial.
Note for Physician: Symptomatic and supportive care remains essential; adrenergic effects may impact patient management.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical, foam, water spray all suppress fires involving this chemical.
Specific Hazards: Thermal decomposition may release toxic gases (carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides), rapid fire response reduces exposure.
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should use full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus; chemical exposures in fire settings need extra caution.
Advice for Firefighters: Avoid inhaling smoke, stay upwind, use water to cool surrounding containers; containment of runoff helps limit spread of hazardous residues.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ensure proper ventilation; only trained personnel in protective gear should proceed, minimize dust release.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, drains, waterways; contain using inert absorbent material.
Spill Cleanup Methods: Collect spilled material mechanically or with a vacuum equipped with HEPA filter; wash area with copious water, dispose of residues according to regulations.
Decontamination: Wash surfaces with suitable detergent, ventilate area before reuse, safely manage all contaminated material.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Handle in well-ventilated space, use chemical fume hood and personal protection; avoid contact with skin, eyes, clothing, minimize dust and vapor formation.
Storage: Store in tightly sealed, labeled containers away from light, moisture, and incompatible substances (such as oxidizers); maintain cool, dry, and dark storage area, follow segregation guidelines.
Special Storage Conditions: Refrigeration extends shelf life, regular checks on container integrity help detect leaks or deterioration.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Work under local exhaust ventilation (chemical fume hood) to control airborne concentrations.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use nitrile or other chemical-resistant gloves, lab coat, safety goggles or face shield, if risks justify, wear respirator with appropriate cartridge.
Exposure Limits: No specific occupational exposure limits set, so maintain minimal exposure using existing best practices; monitor staff for health changes.
Hygiene Measures: Prohibit eating, drinking, or smoking in contaminated areas; frequent and correct handwashing, laundering of work clothing mandatory.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless or faint characteristic
pH (solution): Around 3.0 to 4.5
Melting Point: Approximately 238-240°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Solubility: Readily soluble in water, slight solubility in alcohol
Density: Not measured (use typical values for crystalline solids)
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): Not determined
Other Properties: Sensitive to light and moisture, stable under recommended conditions.

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under specified storage conditions (sealed, cool, dry).
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to light, heat and humidity speeds up degradation, formation of harmful decomposition products possible.
Incompatible Substances: Strong oxidizers, alkalis, some metal ions catalyze breakdown.
Decomposition Products: Burning produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, other potentially hazardous compounds.
Reactivity: Not considered spontaneously reactive but should avoid contact with incompatible substances to prevent unexpected reactions.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Expected LD50 (oral, rat): 100 mg/kg. Unknown human LD50; avoid experimenting outside of clinical context. Cardiovascular symptoms such as hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmias possible after exposure.
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, ingestion, dermal, ocular.
Symptoms: Headache, palpitations, rapid pulse, tremors, skin irritation, eye redness and pain.
Chronic Effects: Long-term or repeated exposure could impact cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Sensitization: Some risk if sensitive individuals are repeatedly exposed.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic based on available data.
Mutagenicity, Teratogenicity: Insufficient data for definitive claims; proper precautions essential.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Limited research available; potential to disrupt aquatic life, especially at higher concentrations.
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable under typical environmental conditions, but slow breakdown increases environmental risk.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low likelihood of bioaccumulation; regular waste audits explain impact on local water systems and guide cleaner disposal.
Mobility in Soil: High water solubility enables spread in aquatic and soil environments, so spills can contaminate groundwater.
Other Harmful Effects: Avoid uncontrolled release; regulatory agencies frequently review new data on pharmaceutical residues in water.

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Dispose of contents and container through licensed chemical waste disposal contractor; never pour down the sink or release to the environment.
Incineration: Controlled incineration remains a recommended method where feasible; monitor emissions closely.
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse, deface labels, treat as hazardous; use appropriate waste containers.
Regulatory Requirements: Review applicable federal, state and local rules— hazardous pharmaceutical guidelines may apply.

Transport Information

UN Number: 2811 (for toxic solid, organic, n.o.s.)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (toxic substances)
Packing Group: III (substance presents relatively low danger in transport, but spills must be contained)
Labeling: Toxic material; ensure hazard communication matches both local and international guidelines.
Special Precautions: Prevent container damage during transit, provide proper documentation, limit temperature exposure.

Regulatory Information

USA: Listed on TSCA, subject to Drug Enforcement Administration oversight (controlled substances rules apply), not subject to SARA Title III thresholds for some use cases but not all.
EU: Follows REACH regulations (seek up-to-date safety dossier), classified as hazardous according to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
Canada: WHMIS Category D1B (toxic), D2B (other toxic effects); may appear in DSL/NDSL.
Japan, Australia, South Korea: National chemical inventory listings guide import/export.
Other Regimes: Check additional country-specific rules; clinical use regulated by health authorities globally.
Workplace Safety: OSHA, NIOSH, and local labor safety standards oversee protective measures and training.