Benzoyl Chloride: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Identification

Product Name: Benzoyl Chloride
Chemical Formula: C7H5ClO
Synonyms: Benzenecarbonyl chloride; α-Chlorobenzaldehyde
CAS Number: 98-88-4
Recommended Uses: Organic synthesis, dye manufacturing, pharmaceutical intermediate
Supplier Details: Contact information for supplier, including address, emergency telephone numbers, and responsible department contact

Hazard Identification

Classification: Corrosive to skin (Category 1B), Acute toxicity–oral (Category 4), Acute toxicity–inhalation (Category 3), Serious eye damage (Category 1), Hazardous to aquatic environment–acute (Category 2)
Label Elements: Danger signal word; skull and crossbones pictogram; corrosion pictogram
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; toxic if inhaled; harmful if swallowed; harmful to aquatic life
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors; wear protective gloves, eye and face protection; wash thoroughly after handling
Possible Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, eye contact, ingestion
Symptoms: Burning sensation, cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, skin and eye irritation, digestive tract pain

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Benzoyl Chloride
Synonyms: Benzenecarbonyl chloride
CAS Number: 98-88-4
EC Number: 202-710-8
Concentration: 99% or greater
Impurities: May contain trace hydrochloric acid and related benzoic derivatives, based on manufacturing source

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove from exposure, move to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical help for persistent irritation, burns, or blisters
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing, seek immediate medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, never give anything by mouth if unconscious, seek medical attention without delay
Advice to Physician: Treat symptomatically, consider risk of delayed pulmonary edema, monitor respiratory and cardiovascular status closely

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or alcohol-resistant foam, avoid using water directly on material
Specific Hazards: May release toxic gases including hydrogen chloride and phosgene upon combustion
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Special Procedures: Evacuate area, contain fire run-off water to prevent environmental contamination, cool surrounding containers with water spray from a safe distance, avoid inhaling combustion gases

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear full chemical-resistant suit, gloves, goggles, and positive pressure respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, soil, waterways; notify authorities if large spills occur
Spill Cleanup Methods: Ventilate area, contain leak with sand or inert absorbent, collect in suitable, closeable container, avoid water contact, decontaminate area with soda ash or lime slurry after removal
Disposal: Follow all local, state, and federal regulations for hazardous chemical disposal

Handling and Storage

Handling Precautions: Avoid all direct contact, open containers in a fume hood, use non-sparking tools, prevent inhalation of vapors
Storage Conditions: Store tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, keep container away from water, alcohols, acids, bases, and ignition sources
Incompatibilities: Water, strong bases, oxidizing agents, amines, metals; may react violently with moisture producing toxic fumes
Additional Advice: Label storage area and containers appropriately, use corrosion-resistant containers, limit access to trained personnel only

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limit: ACGIH TLV (TWA): 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m³), NIOSH REL: 0.2 ppm, OSHA PEL: 0.2 ppm
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, chemical fume hood, emergency eyewash and safety shower nearby
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile, neoprene), tightly fitting safety goggles, full-face shield, flame retardant clothing, respiratory protection (NIOSH-approved respirator for organic vapors and acid gases)
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling, separate work and eating areas, avoid inhaling, ingesting, or skin contact

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow fuming liquid
Odor: Pungent, acyl, irritating odor
Melting Point: -1°C (30°F)
Boiling Point: 197°C (387°F)
Vapor Pressure: 1.3 mmHg at 20°C
Density: 1.211 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility: Reacts violently with water, insoluble; soluble in most organic solvents
pH: Not applicable; reacts with water to form benzoic acid and hydrochloric acid
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): 2.76
Viscosity: Not readily available
Flash Point: 72°C (closed cup)
Autoignition Temperature: 590°C
Explosion Limits: Data not confirmed due to rapid hydrolysis
Decomposition Temperature: Decomposes on heating, emitting hazardous vapors

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions in absence of moisture; gradually hydrolyzes in moist air
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Exothermic hydrolysis with water, violent reaction with bases and amines, liberates toxic gases
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to heat, moisture, alkaline and acidic environments, direct sunlight
Incompatible Materials: Water, hydroxy compounds, strong oxidizers, alcohols, alkalis, amines
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Benzoic acid, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride, phosgene in case of fire or decomposition

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 214 mg/kg; LC50 (inhalation, rat): 5.4 mg/l/4h
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe burns; risk of blistering and deep tissue damage
Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes serious burns, may cause permanent vision loss
Respiratory Effects: Inhalation can cause corrosive injuries to respiratory tract, pulmonary edema, sore throat, coughing, breathing difficulty
Sensitization: Not determined for sensitization, but causes acute irritation
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity: No evidence from current data; use with caution and avoid repeated exposure
Other Information: Delayed effects possible after inhalation, symptoms may develop after exposure delay

Ecological Information

Environmental Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life due to rapid hydrolysis to benzoic acid and hydrochloric acid, which are toxic at high concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Hydrolyzes rapidly in water, leading to decreased persistence in aqueous environments
Bioaccumulative Potential: Moderate log Kow, but rapid decomposition in environment reduces potential
Mobility in Soil: Hydrolyzes quickly, not likely to persist
Other Adverse Effects: Spills can acidify water bodies, harming aquatic organisms; always prevent runoff into drains and waterways
Aquatic Hazard: Acute aquatic hazard due to acidic hydrolysis products

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Neutralize with alkaline material (lime or soda ash) in a controlled setting, collect resulting solids for disposal
Special Precautions: Dispose of as hazardous waste according to local, regional, and national regulations, do not discharge to environment
Empty Containers: Triple rinse, maintain all labels, treat as hazardous waste until completely cleaned
Recommended Disposal Facility: Licensed chemical incineration or hazardous waste treatment plant equipped to handle corrosives and halogenated compounds

Transport Information

UN Number: 1736
Proper Shipping Name: Benzoyl Chloride
Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances); 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Toxic, Corrosive
Marine Pollutant: Not classified as marine pollutant directly, but environmental precautions apply
Special Transport Precautions: Keep containers upright and tightly closed, separate from incompatible goods, transport with emergency procedures in place

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Classified as hazardous with mandatory safety measures
TSCA: Listed in the United States Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
REACH: Requires registration in the European Union, subject to restrictions for use and sale
SARA Title III: Listed as a hazardous substance; requires reporting for release and storage
Canadian WHMIS: Classified as D1A (Very Toxic), D2B (Toxic), E (Corrosive)
Other National/International Regulations: Subject to regulation in most jurisdictions; users need to consult local, state, and national guidelines for use, storage, disposal, and reporting requirements