Triethylaluminium

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IUPACName = Triethylalumane
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Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
Abbreviations = TEA
CASNo = 97-93-8
EINECS = 202-619-3
PubChem = 16682930
SMILES = CC [Al] (CC)CC
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Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = C₆H₁₅Al
MolarMass = 114.165 g/mol
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MeltingPt = −50 °C
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BoilingPt = 128-130 °C at 50 mm Hg
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Section7 = Chembox Hazards
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MainHazards = pyrophoric
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RPhrases = R14 R17 R34
SPhrases = S16 S43 S45
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FlashPt = −18 °C
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Triethylaluminium or TEA is a volatile organometallic compound which is used in various chemical processing and as an ignitor for jet and rocket engines. It is a colorless liquid with melting point -50 °C, boiling point 128-130 °C at 50 mm Hg, flash point at -18 °C, and a characteristic smell. It is corrosive, causes burns, and is highly destructive to respiratory tract.

TEA is pyrophoric (can ignite on contact with air) and will ignite and/or decompose on contact with water, and with any other oxidizers. [ [http://www.epichem.com/metalorganics/pdfs/triethylalumium.pdf TEA Material Safety Data Sheet] , accessed March 27, 2007]

TEA is one of the few substances volatile enough to ignite on contact with cryogenic liquid oxygen, which makes it particularly desirable as a rocket engine ignitor. It also can be used as a rocket fuel, but has not been for any production vehicle. [Clark, John D., Ignition! An Informal History of Liquid Rocket Propellants, Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ, 1972]

Thickened pyrophoric agent

Triethylaluminium thickened with polyisobutylene is used as an incendiary weapon, as a pyrophoric alternative to napalm, e.g. in the M74 rockets for the M202A1 launchers. [ [http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/flame/M202.html M202A1 Flame Assault Shoulder Weapon (Flash)] , inetres.com] In this application it is known as TPA, for "thickened pyrotechnic agent" or "thickened pyrophoric agent".

ee also

* Triethylborane, used as an ignitor in the Pratt & Whitney J58 turbojet/ramjet engines.
* Trimethylaluminium

References