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Chemical Datasheet

BENZALDEHYDE

9 - Miscellaneous hazardous material

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 100-52-7   (BENZALDEHYDE)
  • 1990
  • Class 9
  • BZD
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • BENZALDEHYDE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
2
2 0
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 2 Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless to yellow liquid with a bitter almond odor. Flash point near 145°F. More denser than water and insoluble in water. Hence sinks in water. Vapors are heavier than air. The primary hazard is to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. Easily penetrates the soil to contaminate groundwater and nearby waterways. Used in flavoring and perfume making.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Oxidizes in air to form benzoic acid, which is moderately toxic by ingestion. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

Some may burn but none ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated. Some may be transported hot. For UN3508, Capacitor, asymmetric, be aware of possible short circuiting as this product is transported in a charged state. Polymeric beads, expandable (UN2211) may evolve flammable vapours. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Inhalation of concentrated vapor may irritate eyes, nose and throat. Liquid is irritating to the eyes. Prolonged contact with the skin may cause irritation. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
A nontoxic, combustible liquid, reacts with oxidizing reagents. BENZALDEHYDE must be blanketed with an inert gas at all times since it is oxidized readily by air to benzoic acid [Kirk-Othmer, 3rd ed., Vol. 3, 1978, p. 736]. In contact with strong acids or bases it will undergo an exothermic condensation reaction [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 327]. A violent reaction was observed on contact with peroxyacids (peroxyformic acid) [D'Ans, J. et al., Ber., 1915, 48, p. 1136]. An explosion occurred when pyrrolidine, benzaldehyde, and propionic acid were heated to form porphyrins.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbent listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

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 car or tank truck 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, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Do not scatter spilled material with high-pressure water streams. 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: 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 engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 171 Polymerizable warning [Substances (Low to Moderate Hazard)]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent dust cloud. For Asbestos, avoid inhalation of dust. Cover spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading. Do not clean up or dispose of, except under supervision of a specialist.

SMALL DRY SPILL: With clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.

SMALL SPILL: Pick up with sand or other non-combustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Chemical goggles and protective clothing. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Benzaldehyde 100-52-7 Liquid >480
> indicates greater than.

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, 2023)

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. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. 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. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital if advised by a physician. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure 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.

OTHER: Since this chemical is a known or suspected carcinogen you should contact a physician for advice regarding the possible long term health effects and potential recommendation for medical monitoring. Recommendations from the physician will depend upon the specific compound, its chemical, physical and toxicity properties, the exposure level, length of exposure, and the route of exposure. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C7H6O
Flash Point: 148°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: 378°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -15°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 1 mmHg at 79.2°F ; 5 mmHg at 122.2°F; 10 mmHg at 144°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 3.65 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.046 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 354°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 106.13 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: less than 0.1 mg/mL at 67.1°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Benzaldehyde (100-52-7) 4 ppm 9.9 ppm 59 ppm LEL = 14000 ppm
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

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