Document KROrGNVK7Go558OO0ONOkE390

ETHYL CORPORATION " RESEARCH LABORATORIES ........ 1600 WEST EIGHT MILE ROAD FERNDALE : . DETROIT, MICHIGAN '- Dr. Robert A. Kehoe University of Cincinnati Kettering Laboratory of Applied Physiology Eden /venue > Cincinnati, Ohio June 17, 1943 ' ' Dear Dr. Kehoes . Replying to your letter of June 15 to Dr. Calingaert, who is absent from the laboratory this week, with regard to Decomposition of Tetraethyllead. Ho definite answer can be given to the question as to at what temperature TEL decomposes. In general, the amount of decomposition de pends on whether the ,j-'EL is taken as vapor or as liquid, and whether it is concentrated or diluted, and whether it is exposed to traces or more cf air or light or catalytic surfaces, or inhibitors, and finally and above all it depends on the time of contact. Moreover, the rate of decompo sition usually is not constant, but increases in time, and there may be a long induction period during which little or no apparent reaction oocurs. Roughly speaking, we should not recommend heating concentrated TEL liquid above 100C., or concentrated vapor above 200C. for *ahy substantial length of time in the absence of airj we should not heat either liquid or vapor in the presence of air to above 50C. However, if either the liquid or vapor is greatly diluted (for instance, leaded gasoline), considerably higher temperatures can safely be employed. All this adds up to a rather awkward answer to your question, but is about the size of the situation, and we simply have to try to explain to people why there is no simple definite answer. ............................ Decontamination of Tetraethyllead. For chemical laboratory use, I believe we would suggest 5 or 10$ bromine in carbon tetrachloride for work on glass, etc., in a hood, with the operator protected by rubber gloves. For general use on spills, especially where strong ventillation is lacking, v/e would use dilute (about 6$) solution of sulfuryl chloride in kerosene, mixing the solution shortly before use; we maintain a pour-spout can of kerosene and a bottle of the chloride ready for use in a rack in the hallvray. Very sincerely yours, Harold A. Beatty B:C Men vho vlll handle tetraethyl lead at Lake Erie Chemical Company.