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Chemical Datasheet

BENZENESULFONYL CHLORIDE

8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 98-09-9   (BENZENESULFONYL CHLORIDE)
  • 2225
  • Corrosive
  • BSC
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A colorless to slightly yellow solid that melts at approximately 40°F. Very irritating to skin, eyes and mucous membranes. May emit toxic fumes when heated to high temperatures. Used to make dyes and other chemicals.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble and stable in cold water [Merck]. Decomposes in hot water to produce corrosive and toxic hydrochloric acid and benzenesulfonic acid. Rate of reaction decreases as temperature decreases.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: May contain highly toxic and irritating hydrogen chloride and oxides of chlorine and sulfur.

Behavior in Fire: Cylinder may explode. Decomposes to produce highly toxic chlorine and sulfur compounds. Reacts with hot water to produce highly toxic and corrosive hydrochloric acid and benzenesulfonic acid. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through skin. Contact may cause skin and eye burns. Irritating to eyes, skin and mucous membranes. INGESTION: May cause abdominal spasm and vomiting. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
BENZENESULFONYL CHLORIDE is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and bases, including amines. Corrodes metals in the presence of water due to slow formation of hydrochloric acid and benzenesulfonic acid (USCG, 1999). May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291].
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 absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 156 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:

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 156 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:

Note: Most foams will react with the material and release corrosive/toxic gases.

SMALL FIRE: CO2, dry chemical, dry sand, alcohol-resistant foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. FOR CHLOROSILANES, DO NOT USE WATER; use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: 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 engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 156 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Combustible / Water-Sensitive)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. FOR CHLOROSILANES, use AFFF alcohol-resistant medium-expansion foam to reduce vapors. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special 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
Benzene sulfone chloride 98-09-9 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
Benzene sulfonyl chloride 98-09-9 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >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
INHALATION: Move victim to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.

EYES OR SKIN: Flush with running water for at least 15 min.; hold eyelids open if necessary. Wash skin with soap and water. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes at the site. Maintain normal body temperature and keep victim quiet. Keep victim under observation for delayed effects.

INGESTION: If unconscious or having convulsions, do nothing except keep victim warm. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C6H5ClO2S
Flash Point: greater than 233.6°F (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 58.1°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.3842 at 59°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 484.7°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 176.62 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
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
Benzenesulfonic acid chloride; (Benzenesulfonyl chloride) (98-09-9) 0.77 mg/m3 8.4 mg/m3 51 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

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
Benzenesulfonyl chloride 98-09-9 100 pounds U020

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

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