UN 2205 — Adiponitrile
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 153. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 2205 is Adiponitrile, a toxic nitrile liquid assigned to ERG Guide 153. Skin contact, inhalation and toxic fire products are key hazards.
Hazard overview: TOXIC nitrile liquid; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact may cause severe injury. Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Skin absorption and contaminated clothing can extend exposure.
Response guidance: For a UN 2205 incident, verify the product with shipping papers, container markings, SDS and ERG Guide 153. Establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind, control ignition or incompatibility hazards, prevent runoff or vapor spread and base entry/fire-control actions on monitoring and local SOP.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 2205 should emphasize exposure routes, air monitoring, PPE selection, fire behavior, decontamination, runoff containment and ERG/SDS verification. Use ERG 153, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Adiponitrile is regulated as a hazardous material for transportation and emergency response purposes. Storage, workplace exposure, emergency planning, spill reporting, waste handling and environmental requirements vary by exact product, concentration, quantity and jurisdiction. Verify current requirements through shipping papers, SDS, container markings and applicable DOT, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, state or local authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Adiponitrile should be stored in tightly closed compatible containers in a secure, ventilated toxic-material area with secondary containment, restricted access and segregation from incompatible chemicals according to SDS.
UN 2205 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 2205
- TOXIC nitrile liquid; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact may cause severe injury.
- Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
- Skin absorption and contaminated clothing can extend exposure.
- Fire may produce hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides and other toxic gases.
- Runoff may carry toxic nitrile contamination.
- Vapors may collect in low or poorly ventilated areas when heated.
- Containers may rupture or fail when heated.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Colorless to pale yellow oily liquid with a faint ammonia-like odor. Solidifies at approximately 2°C (36°F).
| Also known as | Hexanedinitrile1,4-DicyanobutaneAdipic acid dinitrileTetramethylene dicyanide |
| CAS Number | 111-69-3 |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow oily liquid with a faint ammonia-like odor. Solidifies at approximately 2°C (36°F). |
| Flash Point | 93°C (199°F) |
| Boiling Point | 295°C (563°F) |
| Vapor Density | 3.73 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction; slightly soluble in water |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2205
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA for vapor, dust, mist, fire or confined-space exposure. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, eye/face protection and protective clothing selected from SDS; avoid skin contact.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 2205 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Avoid breathing gas, vapor, dust, mist, smoke or fumes and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled/released material unless properly trained and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained, equipped, monitored and authorized by incident command.
- Isolate the spill or release area and expand the perimeter for fire involvement, vapor/gas spread, cylinder heating, oxidizer reaction or unknown product identity.
- Use ERG Guide 153, shipping papers, SDS, air monitoring and incident command for protective actions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2205 — AdiponitrileUse for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.