Methylcyclohexane Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Identification

Product Name: Methylcyclohexane
Chemical Formula: C7H14
Chemical Family: Cycloalkane Hydrocarbon
Synonyms: Cyclohexylmethane, hexahydrotoluene, MCH
CAS Number: 108-87-2
Supplier Name: Announce the accurate supplier for traceability and responsible contacts
Address: Full physical address of manufacturing or distributing entity
Telephone Number for Info: Include emergency and non-emergency line where available
Recommended Use: Laboratory solvents, fuel additive, research chemicals, intermediate in industrial synthesis
Restrictions on Use: Not intended for direct consumer or food-related applications

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Flammable Liquid, Category 2; Acute Toxicity, Inhalation, Category 4; Aspiration Hazard, Category 1; Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single Exposure, Category 3
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Pictograms: Flame, Health Hazard, Exclamation Mark
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapor; Harmful if inhaled; May cause drowsiness or dizziness; May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces; Use explosion-proof electrical and ventilating equipment; Avoid breathing vapors or mists; Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area; Call a poison center or doctor if feeling unwell
Potential Health Effects: Short-term exposure can trigger headaches, dizziness, and lightheadedness. High dosage inhalation can depress the central nervous system, causing nausea, numbness, or respiratory discomfort. Ingestion pushes a high risk of aspiration into the lungs, causing severe complications such as chemical pneumonitis.

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Methylcyclohexane
Concentration: 98% or greater by weight
CAS Number: 108-87-2
Impurities and Stabilizing Additives: May contain trace levels of toluene, cyclohexane, and other saturated hydrocarbons depending on source; all known impurities should remain below 2%. Industrial standards require that material data is made available in batch-specific documentation by reputable suppliers.

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air without delay. Loosen tight clothing. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen, especially shortness of breath or persistent cough.
Skin Contact: Ensure removal of contaminated clothing immediately. Wash skin thoroughly with soap and cool water. Seek medical advice if irritation or redness lingers.
Eye Contact: Rinse gently with plentiful water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open. Do not rub or apply chemicals. Medical attention is recommended if eye irritation or blur continues.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting due to high aspiration risk. Rinse mouth with water only if victim is conscious and communicative. Transport victim to a healthcare facility for further evaluation and supervision.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam; water spray for cooling containers only
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water stream may scatter the fire or splatter liquid, intensifying combustion spread
Hazardous Combustion Products: Releases irritant and toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and unburned hydrocarbons during incomplete combustion
Specific Methods: Evacuate area. Approach from upwind remaining outside hazard zone. Use standard gear and self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting personnel. Cool exposed tanks with water spray even after flames are out to avoid explosions from pressure build-up. Remove containers promptly when safe or they may rupture violently.
Explosion Hazards: Vapors can flow along surfaces to distant ignition sources and flash back. Closed vessels may burst if flames contact external surfaces.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Eliminate ignition sources from immediate vicinity. Evacuate unnecessary personnel. Use adequate protection such as gloves, goggles, and respirators when exposure exceeds occupational limits.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent flow to drains, watercourses, or the soil. Notify authorities promptly in the event of large spills threatening groundwater or municipal treatment systems.
Containment and Cleanup: Dike and absorb with inert material such as sand, vermiculite, or earth. Collect and place in tightly closed, labeled containers for proper disposal. Wash contaminated surfaces with soap and water. Ventilate affected area fully.

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Utilize only in well-ventilated spaces to limit inhalation exposure. Keep away from open flames, sparks, and excessive heat during use or transfer. Ground all containers and transfer equipment. Handle empty containers as potentially hazardous. Avoid skin or eye contact by adopting personal protective gear and routine hygiene.
Safe Storage: Store in tightly sealed, clearly marked containers. Place in cool, dry, well-ventilated locations away from sunlight, oxidizers, acids, and sources of ignition. Use explosion-proof lighting and prevent static buildup by bonding and grounding drums and dispensing devices. Keep away from food and beverages.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 500 ppm (2000 mg/m³); NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 400 ppm (1600 mg/m³); ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 400 ppm
Engineering Controls: Ensure local exhaust or general ventilation to maintain airborne vapors below listed exposure limits. Enclose process operations wherever practical.
Personal Protective Equipment: Respiratory protection such as air-purifying respirators, especially in case of inadequate ventilation or spill response; chemical safety goggles; flame-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene); flame-retardant clothing for high-exposure tasks; eye wash stations and safety showers should be available nearby.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Sweet, gasoline-like hydrocarbon scent detectable above 300 ppm
Odor Threshold: 25-160 ppm
pH: Not applicable (neutral compound)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: -126.2 °C
Boiling Point: 101 °C
Flash Point: -3 °C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: 2.3 (n-Butyl Acetate = 1)
Flammability: Highly flammable liquid and vapor
Upper/Lower Flammability or Explosive Limits: 1.2% (LEL) - 8.8% (UEL) by volume in air
Vapor Pressure: 56 mmHg at 20 °C
Vapor Density: 3.4 (air = 1)
Specific Gravity (Water = 1): 0.77
Solubility: Immiscible in water, soluble in organic solvents (alcohol, ether, benzene)
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): 3.61
Auto-ignition Temperature: 245 °C
Decomposition Temperature: Not readily decomposed below combustion temperatures
Viscosity: 0.7 mPa·s at 20 °C

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Remains stable under normal processing and storage conditions
Reactivity: Not reactive under regular handling, but easily oxidizes in presence of strong oxidizers and acid chlorides
Incompatible Materials: Avoid alkaline metals, strong acids, oxidizers, chlorinating and nitrating agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Burning produces toxic byproducts including CO, CO₂, and incomplete hydrocarbons.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur under anticipated conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to open flames, hot surfaces, unventilated storage, contact with reactive chemicals.

Toxicological Information

Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, dermal contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Inhalation LC50 (rat): 25,000 mg/m³ / 4 hours; Oral LD50 (rat): 5,000 mg/kg. Methylcyclohexane has moderate acute toxicity, triggering symptoms at high exposure.
Chronic Effects: Repeated exposure can lead to central nervous system depression, dizziness, memory impairment, and possible liver or kidney effects seen in animal studies.
Irritation: Both skin and mucus membrane irritation possible depending on concentration and exposure length
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Mutagenicity/Teratogenicity: No data showing significant mutagenic or embryotoxic risk at occupational concentrations
Symptoms of Exposure: Eye watering, dry skin, headache, nausea, lack of coordination, fatigue. High concentrations may cause respiratory distress or fainting.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms including fish, invertebrates, and algae. EC50 (Daphnia magna, 48 h): 1.1 mg/L; Fish LC50 (96 hr): 3.7 mg/L (fathead minnow)
Persistence and Degradability: Moderately persistent in the environment; readily volatile, breaks down slowly in surface water through photolysis and microbial action
Bioaccumulative Potential: Log Kow = 3.61 indicates tendency to bioaccumulate in aquatic or soil organisms
Mobility in Soil: Low water solubility limits spread in groundwater. High vapor pressure increases volatilization from soils or spills in open air.
Other Adverse Effects: Large releases threaten aquatic habitats and may affect drinking water supplies near spill sites.

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Incinerate liquid in permitted chemical waste facilities only. Mix residues or contaminated adsorbents with compatible combustibles for thermal destruction.
Container Disposal: Triple-rinse drums or bottles and puncture to prevent reuse. Dispose packaging through licensed hazardous waste recycler.
Do Not: Pour untreated liquid into municipal sewers, landfills, or the environment. Comply with all regional, national, and international waste disposal laws.

Transport Information

UN Number: UN2296
Proper Shipping Name: Methylcyclohexane
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquid)
Packing Group: II
Marine Pollutant: No, but spills may endanger aquatic life
Special Precautions for Transport: Package with leak-proof seals in approved, properly labeled flammable liquid containers. Separate from oxidizers and away from heat sources during transit.
Regulations: Covers international (IMDG/IMO), air (IATA/ICAO), and highway (DOT) hazardous material codes. Engineers, drivers, and handlers must understand chemical’s fire and spill risks.

Regulatory Information

US Regulations: Listed on TSCA Inventory; subject to SARA 311/312 hazard categories (fire, acute health, chronic health); not regulated under RCRA as acutely hazardous waste but classified as hazardous waste for flammability.
OSHA: Classified hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Canada: WHMIS Classification B2 (Flammable Liquid), D2B (Toxic Material with chronic effects)
EU Regulations: Included in REACH chemical registry; hazards coded according to CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008
Other International: Japan, Australia, Korea, and other industrial economies require similar hazard and environmental warnings; disposal, import, use, and export may require licenses or restriction lists
Labeling Requirements: Clear GHS-compliant hazard pictograms, signal words, product identifiers, and supplier address