Borax

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Chemical Identification | General Product Information | Physical & Safety Data

Chemical Identification

Common Name

Borax

中文通用名

硼砂

IUPAC

disodium tetraborate decahydrate

CAS

borax

CAS No.

1303-96-4

Molecular Formula

B₄H₂₀Na₂O₁₇

General Product Information

Category

Insecticides > Inorganic insecticides
Herbicides > Inorganic herbicides

Activity

Herbicide, fungicide, insecticide

Physical & Safety Data

Physical Properties

Molecular weight:381.4; Physical form:Colourless crystalline solid, efflorescent at low r.h. Density:1.71 (20 °C); Melting point:742 °C (anhydrous sodium tetraborate); Flash point:A fire retardant; Solubility:In water 47.1 g/l ( pH 9.3, 20 °C). Soluble in glycerol and ethylene glycol. Insoluble in ethanol.; Stability:Stable. When heated above c. 62 °C, borax loses water of crystallisation, first forming the pentahydrate and then anhydrous sodium tetraborate.;

Toxicology

Oral:Acute oral LD₅₀ for rats 4500-6000 mg/ kg. Percutaneous:Acute percutaneous LD₅₀ for rabbits >10 000 mg/kg. Not an eye or skin irritant. Phytotoxicity:Not to be used near desired plants.

Environmental Profile

Ecotoxicology:
Bees:Not hazardous to bees.Daphnia:LC₅₀ (48 h) 1170 mg/l (disodium tetraborate decahydrate).Fish: LC₅₀ (24 d) for rainbow trout 1320 mg/l (disodium tetraborate decahydrate).

Environmental fate:
Animals:Not metabolised in animals.Soil:No microbial degradation. Disappearance from soil is by washing out. Persistence in soil is ×2 y, depending on rainfall and soil structure.

Transport Information

Signal Word:WARNING; Hazard Class:II(Moderately hazardous)