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Chemical Datasheet

BENZONITRILE

6.1 - Poison

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 100-47-0   (BENZONITRILE)
  • 2224
  • Poison
  • BZN
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • BENZONITRILE
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
A clear colorless liquid with an almond-like odor. Flash point 161°F. Denser (at 8.4 lb / gal) than water and slightly soluble in water. Used as a specialty solvent and to make other chemicals.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Slightly soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic hydrogen cyanide and oxides of nitrogen may form in fire. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Benzonitrile may enter the human body by ingestion, absorption through the skin, or inhalation. The earliest symptoms of cyano compound intoxication may be weakness, headaches, confusion, and occasionally nausea and vomiting. The respiratory rate and depth will usually be increased at the beginning and at later stages become slow and gasping. Blood pressure is usually normal, especially in the mild or moderately severe cases, although the pulse rate is usually more rapid than normal. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
The cyano group can be readily hydrolyzed in the presence of mineral acids to produce stable, moderately toxic benzoic acid. When heated to decomposition, it emits highly toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides and hydrogen cyanide [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 353].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 152 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic (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 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 152 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic (Combustible)]:

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire. Dike runoff from fire control for later disposal. 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. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 152 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic (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. Cover with plastic sheet to prevent spreading. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Rubber gloves; splash-proof goggles; rubber boots or rubber overshoes; impervious clothing for splash protection; cartridge-type mask or other protection against vapor must be worn for working in poorly ventilated area or where poisoning by inhalation may be possible. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Benzo nitrile 100-47-0 Liquid 450 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
Cyanobenzene 100-47-0 Liquid 450 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
Phenyl cyanide 100-47-0 Liquid 450 >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
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. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.

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. 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. (NTP, 1992)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C7H5N
Flash Point: 161°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 0.9 % (NTP, 1992)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 11.3 % (NTP, 1992)
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 9°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: 1 mmHg at 82.8°F ; 5 mmHg at 131.5°F; 10 mmHg at 156.6°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 3.6 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.01 at 77°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 375.3°F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 103.12 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: 1 to 5 mg/mL at 73°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 14 ppm [From IDLH Table: Benzonitrile] (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Benzonitrile (100-47-0)
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR 11 ppm 34 ppm
30 minutes NR 7.8 ppm 24 ppm
60 minutes NR 6.2 ppm 19 ppm
4 hours NR 2.5 ppm 7.4 ppm
8 hours NR 1.2 ppm 3.7 ppm
NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data
(NAC/NRC, 2023)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Benzonitrile (100-47-0) 0.56 ppm 6.2 ppm 19 ppm
(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
Benzonitrile 100-47-0 5000 pounds

(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