Safety data for phenol

Click here for data on phenol in student-friendly format, from the HSci project

Glossary of terms on this data sheet.

The information on this web page is provided to help you to work safely, but it is intended to be an overview of hazards, not a replacement for a full Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDS forms can be downloaded from the web sites of many chemical suppliers.

General

Synonyms: benzenol, carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, monohydroxybenzene, monophenol, oxybenzene, phenic acid, phenylic acid, phenyl alcohol, phenyl hydrate, phenyl hydroxide, phenylic alcohol
Molecular formula: C₆H₅OH
CAS No: 108-95-2
EC No: 203-632-7
Annex I Index No: 604-001-00-2

Physical data

Appearance: colourless crystals with a characteristic odour
Melting point: 40 - 42 C
Boiling point: 182 C
Specific gravity: 1.07
Vapour pressure: 0.35 mm Hg at 20 C
Flash point: 79 C
Explosion limits: 1.5 % - 8.6 %
Autoignition temperature: 715 C

Stability

Stable. Substances to be avoided include strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, strong acids, alkalies, calcium hypochlorite. Flammable. May discolour in light.

Toxicology

This material is a systemic poison and constitutes a serious health hazard. The risks of using it in the laboratory must be fully assessed before work begins. Vesicant. Typical MEL 2 ppm; typical OEL 1 ppm. Acute poisoning by ingestion, inhalation or skin contact may lead to death. Phenol is readily absorbed through the skin. Highly toxic by inhalation. Corrosive - causes burns. Severe irritant.

Toxicity data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
ORL-HMN LDLO 140 mg kg^-1
ORL-RAT LD50 317 mg kg^-1
IPR-RAT LD50 127 mg kg^-1
ORL-RBT LDLO 420 mg kg^-1
SKN-RAT LD50 669 mg kg^-1

Risk phrases
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
R24 R25 R34 R36 R37 R38.

Transport information

here.)

Personal protection

Safety glasses, gloves, good ventilation.

Safety phrases
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
S28 S45.

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This information was last updated on August 23, 2006. Although we have tried to make it as accurate and useful as possible, we can take no responsibility for its use or misuse.

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