Print
Chemical Datasheet
PHENOL, LIQUID |
|
Chemical Identifiers
CAS Number |
UN/NA Number |
DOT Hazard Label |
USCG CHRIS Code |
|
|
|
|
NIOSH Pocket Guide |
International Chem Safety Card |
Phenol
|
|
NFPA 704
General Description
A colorless liquid when pure, otherwise pink or red. Combustible. Flash point 175°F. Must be heated before ignition may occur easily. Vapors are heavier than air. Corrosive to skin but because of anesthetic qualities will numb rather than burn. Upon contact skin may turn white. May be lethal by skin absorption. Does not react with water. Stable in normal transportation. Reactive with various chemicals and may be corrosive to lead, aluminum and its alloys, certain plastics, and rubber. Freezing point about 105°F. Density 8.9 lb / gal. Used to make plastics, adhesives and other chemicals.
Hazards
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Unburned vapor is toxic
Behavior in Fire: Yields flammable vapors when heated, which will form explosive mixtures with air (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Will burn eyes and skin. The analgesic action may cause loss of pain sensation. Readily absorbed through skin, causing increased heart rate, convulsions, and death. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
A liquid containing over 50% phenol. See Phenol (solid). Phenols do not behave as organic alcohols, as one might guess from the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group in their structure. Instead, they react as weak organic acids. Phenols and cresols are much weaker as acids than common carboxylic acids (phenol has pKa = 9.88). These materials are incompatible with strong reducing substances such as hydrides, nitrides, alkali metals, and sulfides. Flammable gas (H2) is often generated, and the heat of the reaction may ignite the gas. Heat is also generated by the acid-base reaction between phenols and bases. Such heating may initiate polymerization of the organic compound. Phenols are sulfonated very readily (for example, by concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature). The reactions generate heat. Phenols are also nitrated very rapidly, even by dilute nitric acid. Nitrated phenols often explode when heated. Many of them form metal salts that tend toward detonation by rather mild shock. Phenol may explode in contact with peroxodisulfuric acid (D'Ans, J. Ber., 1910, 43, 1880; Z. Anorg. Chem., 1911, 73, 1911.) or peroxomonosulfuric acid. (Sidgwick, 1950, 939)
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents
No information available.
Response Recommendations
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.
FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:
SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.
LARGE FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 153 [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible)]:
ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Fresh air mask for confined areas; rubber gloves; protective clothing; full face shield (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical |
CAS Number |
State |
QS |
QC |
SL |
C3 |
TF |
TP |
RC |
TK |
RF |
Phenol (45°C, molten) |
108-95-2 |
Liquid |
|
|
44 |
17 |
25 |
25 |
101 |
>480 |
>480 |
Phenol (60°C, molten) |
108-95-2 |
Liquid |
|
|
imm |
imm |
imm |
|
121 |
125 |
87 |
Phenol (85% at 45°C) |
108-95-2 |
Liquid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
149 |
>480 |
>480 |
Phenol (85%) |
108-95-2 |
Liquid |
|
11 |
>480 |
341 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
>480 |
Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be
used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or
explosive environments. Only...
(DuPont, 2024)
First Aid
EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.
SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.
INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.
INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Phenols are very toxic poisons AND corrosive and irritating, so that inducing vomiting may make medical problems worse. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center and locate activated charcoal, egg whites, or milk in case the medical advisor recommends administering one of them. If advice from a physician is not readily available and the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give the victim a glass of activated charcoal slurry in water or, if this is not available, a glass of milk, or beaten egg whites and IMMEDIATELY transport victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, assure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)
Physical Properties
Flash Point:
175°F
(NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL):
1.7 %
(NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL):
8.6 %
(NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature:
1319°F
(USCG, 1999)
Melting Point:
109°F
(NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure:
0.2 mmHg
at 68°F
; 0.35 mmHg at 77°F
(NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air):
3.24
(NTP, 1992)
- Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity:
1.04
at 105.8°F
(USCG, 1999)
- Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point:
360°F
at 760 mmHg
(NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight:
94.11
(NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility:
50 to 100 mg/mL
at 66°F
(NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential:
8.50 eV
[From NPG: Phenol]
(NIOSH, 2024)
IDLH:
250 ppm
[From NPG: Phenol]
(NIOSH, 2024)
AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)
Final AEGLs for Phenol (108-95-2)
Exposure Period |
AEGL-1 |
AEGL-2 |
AEGL-3 |
10 minutes |
19 ppm |
29 ppm |
NR |
30 minutes |
19 ppm |
29 ppm |
NR |
60 minutes |
15 ppm |
23 ppm |
NR |
4 hours |
9.5 ppm |
15 ppm |
NR |
8 hours |
6.3 ppm |
12 ppm |
NR |
(NAC/NRC, 2024)
ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
Chemical |
ERPG-1 |
ERPG-2 |
ERPG-3 |
Phenol (108-95-2)
|
10 ppm |
50 ppm |
200 ppm |
(AIHA, 2022)
PACs (Protective Action Criteria)
Chemical |
PAC-1 |
PAC-2 |
PAC-3 |
|
Phenol (108-95-2)
|
15 ppm |
23 ppm |
200 ppm |
LEL = 18000 ppm |
(DOE, 2024)
Regulatory Information
EPA Consolidated List of Lists
Regulatory Name |
CAS Number/ 313 Category Code |
EPCRA 302 EHS TPQ |
EPCRA 304 EHS RQ |
CERCLA RQ |
EPCRA 313 TRI |
RCRA Code |
CAA 112(r) RMP TQ |
Phenol |
108-95-2 |
500/10000 pounds |
1000 pounds |
1000 pounds |
313 |
U188 |
|
(EPA List of Lists, 2024)
CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)
No regulatory information available.
OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List
No regulatory information available.
Alternate Chemical Names
- BAKER'S P AND S LIQUID AND OINTMENT
- BENZENOL
- CARBOLIC ACID
- CARBOLIC OIL (MIXTURE)
- ENT 1814
- HYDROXYBENZENE
- LIQUEFIED PHENOL
- MIDDLE OIL
- MONOHYDROXYBENZENE
- MONOPHENOL
- NCI-C50124
- OXYBENZENE
- PHENIC ACID
- PHENOL
- PHENOL (CARBOLIC ACID)
- PHENOL ALCOHOL
- PHENOL, LIQUID
- PHENOL, MOLTEN
- PHENOL, [LIQUID]
- PHENYL ALCOHOL
- PHENYL HYDRATE
- PHENYL HYDROXIDE
- PHENYLIC ACID
- PHENYLIC ALCOHOL