Standard Operating Procedure

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Read the EH&S Standard Operating Procedures Fact Sheet before filling out this form.
Print out the completed form and keep a readily accessible hard copy in the lab (also
keeping an electronic copy is highly recommended).

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Date:

November 21, 2010

SOP Title:

Alkali metals Li, Na, K

Principal Investigator:

Richmond Sarpong

Room and Building:

841A Latimer Hall

Lab Phone Number:

(510) 643-2485

Section 1 Process
The handling and usage of alkali metals, specifically lithium, sodium, and potassium.

Section 2 Hazardous Chemicals

Lithium, sodium, and potassium metal.

Section 3 Potential Hazards

Alkali metals react very vigorously with water resulting in the formation of hydrogen gas. This gas
can then spontaneously ignite, causing fires. Additionally, if inhaled, the dust of alkali-metal oxides can
cause damage to the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tracts. Contact of any of these metals
with the skin or eyes may results in burns. Caustic oxides are formed as the metals burn.
Of these three, potassium and the liquid alloy of potassium and sodium are the most reactive, while
lithium is the least reactive.

Section 4 Approvals Required

Use of lithium, sodium, or potassium metal requires proper training and demonstration of correct
technique by an appropriate lab member. The MSDS sheets should also be consulted before first use.
These metals must not be used when working alone.

Section 5 Designated Area

Lithium, sodium, and potassium metals should only be used in a dry environment away from sparks
or any source of ignition. Good ventilation and access to a dry chemical or dry powder fire extinguisher
are also necessary. The area where the metals will be handled should be free of other chemicals and
flammable objects.

Section 6 Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements

Stored in a dry, cool place away from any source of ignition. Store under paraffin oil, mineral oil, or
kerosene . When cutting or weighing out sodium or potassium,
they must be kept under hexanes or toluene as much as possible to prevented them from reaction
with the moisture in the air.
The container holding the metal must be kept closed, and the amount of material
exposed to the air kept to a minimum. N2 is not an inert gas for lithium, as lithium nitride is formed
and can also react violently with water. Lithium should therefore not be kept under nitrogen for
a prolonged period of time (use Ar instead).

Section 7 Personal Protective Equipment

Respiratory protection
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face particle
respirator type N100 (US) or type P3 (EN 143) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering
controls. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government
standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Hand protection
Handle with gloves.
Eye protection
Safety glasses.
Skin and body protection
A flame-retardant lab coat must be worn while handling these compounds.
Hygiene measures
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and
at the end of workday.

Section 8 Engineering/Ventilation Controls

Ensure adequate ventilation.

Section 9 Spill and Accident Procedures

EHS&SandCampusSafetyshouldbecalledintheeventofalargespillorfire:(Emergencies: 911 or
642-3333 from a cell phone; Non-emergencies: EHS&S 642-3073, UCPD 642-6760)

DONOTusewatertoattempttoextinguishareactivematerialfireasitcanactuallyenhancethe
combustion.
Donotusecombustiblematerials(papertowels)tocleanupaspill,asthesemayincreasetheriskof
ignitingthereactivecompound.Sodaash(powderedlime)ordrysandshouldbeusedtocompletely
smotherandcoveranysmallspillthatoccurs.
Acontainerofsodaash(powderedlime)ordrysandshouldbekeptwithinarmslengthwhen
workingwithareactivematerial.
Ifanyoneisexposed,oronfire,smotheringthefireisabettercourseofactionthanwashingwith
waterbecausewatercanfuelthefire.
ClassDextinguishersarerecommendedforcombustiblesolidmetalfires.
Call911foremergencyassistanceandforassistancewithallfires,evenifextinguished.

Section 10 Waste Disposal

After completion of the cutting process, the weigh boat or other weighing container should be rinsed
carefully with a solvent which will react with the excess metal much more slowly than with water (i.e.
methanol, isopropanol).
DisposalofPyrophoricReagents
Anycontainerwitharesidueofreactivematerialsshouldneverbeleftopentotheatmosphere.
Anyunusedorunwantedreactivematerialsmustbedestroyedbytransferringthematerialstoan
appropriatereactionflaskforhydrolysisand/orneutralizationwithadequatecooling.

Section 11 - Decontamination
Allmaterialsdisposablegloves,wipers,benchpaper,etc.thatarecontaminatedwithpyrophoric
chemicalsshouldbedisposedashazardouswaste(afterappropriatequenchingofthecompound,see
section10).

Training Documentation

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