UN 2444 — Vanadium tetrachloride
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 137. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 2444 is Vanadium tetrachloride, a toxic corrosive vanadium chloride liquid assigned to ERG Guide 137. Moisture can trigger strong fuming and acid runoff.
Hazard overview: TOXIC and CORROSIVE vanadium chloride/oxychloride liquid; vapor or liquid contact may cause severe injury. Reacts vigorously with water or moist air, releasing hydrogen chloride and heat. Fumes strongly in moist air and can produce acidic/corrosive runoff.
Response guidance: For UN 2444, isolate the spill, stay upwind and use SCBA with chemical protection. Control moisture contact, contain acidic runoff and use dry compatible agents under SDS and ERG 137 guidance.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 2444 should emphasize water-reactive corrosive fuming, HCl hazards, dry-agent selection, Level A/B decisions, decontamination and acidic runoff control. Use ERG 137, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Vanadium tetrachloride is regulated as a hazardous material for transport and emergency response. Storage, exposure, spill reporting, waste and fire-code duties depend on quantity, concentration and jurisdiction; verify shipping papers, SDS and local authority requirements.
Storage & handling: Vanadium tetrachloride should be stored dry in tightly closed compatible containers away from water, moisture, bases, oxidizers/reducing agents where incompatible, heat and unauthorized access. Provide secondary containment.
UN 2444 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 2444
- TOXIC and CORROSIVE vanadium chloride/oxychloride liquid; vapor or liquid contact may cause severe injury.
- Reacts vigorously with water or moist air, releasing hydrogen chloride and heat.
- Fumes strongly in moist air and can produce acidic/corrosive runoff.
- Non-combustible or combustible behavior depends on product, but fire produces toxic/corrosive fumes.
- Exposure may involve vanadium toxicity plus acid burns.
- Containers may rupture when heated or contaminated with water.
- Avoid direct water contact with released product unless specialist guidance approves.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Reddish-brown fuming liquid with a pungent, irritating odor. Reacts vigorously with moisture in air producing corrosive fumes.
| Also known as | Vanadium(IV) chlorideTetrachlorovanadiumVanadium chloride |
| CAS Number | 7632-51-1 |
| Appearance | Reddish-brown fuming liquid with a pungent, irritating odor. Reacts vigorously with moisture in air producing corrosive fumes. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable but supports combustion) |
| Boiling Point | 154C (309F) |
| Vapor Density | 6.7 (much heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water producing heat, hydrochloric acid, and vanadium oxychloride fumes. Do not use water directly on material. |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2444
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA and chemical-resistant protective clothing. Level A may be needed for heavy vapor, fuming, splash risk or unknown concentrations.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 2444 Incident
- Call 911 and the emergency response number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away and establish incident command.
- Stay upwind, uphill and upstream.
- Avoid breathing vapor, dust, mist, smoke or fumes and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Keep water contact controlled because moisture can increase heat release, corrosive fuming or ignition.
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material without proper training and PPE.
- Ventilate confined spaces only after monitoring and only if properly trained and equipped.
- Use ERG Guide 137, SDS, shipping papers and monitoring to set isolation, evacuation and entry decisions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2444 — Vanadium tetrachlorideUse 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.