Iron pentacarbonyl

A poison by inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, subcutaneous, and intravenous routes. Inhalation causes dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. If continued, unconsciousness follows. Often there is a delayed reaction of chest pain, cough, and difficult breathing. There may be cyanosis and circulatory collapse. In fatal cases, death occurs from the fourth to eleventh day with pneumonitis and injury to kidneys, liver, and brain. Iron carbonyl is less toxic than nickel carbonyl.A very dangerous fire and moderate explosion hazard when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials. Warning: pyrophoric in air. Mixtures with nitrogen oxide explode above 50°C. Violent reaction with zinc + transition metal halides (e.g., cobalt halides, rhodium halides, ruthenium halides). Mixtures with acetic acid + water produce a pyrophoric powder. To fight fire, use water, foam, CO2, dry chemical. See also CARBONYLS and IRON COMPOUNDS.