Benzyl alcohol

CAS Number:

100-51-6

Chem/ INCI Name: 

Benzyl Alcohol

Common Synonyms:

Phenylmethanol, Benzenemethanol

Molecular Formula:

C7H8O

Molecular Weight:

108.14 g/mol

Uses:

Benzyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild, pleasant aroma. It functions as an effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative and a versatile solvent. Its primary applications are in:

· Cosmetics & Personal Care: Used as a preservative (typically at 0.5% to 2%) in creams, lotions, shampoos, and serums to prevent microbial growth. It is also used as a fragrance ingredient and solvent.

· Pharmaceuticals: Serves as a bacteriostatic preservative in intravenous medications and topical drugs.

· Industrial Applications: A common solvent for inks, paints, lacquers, and epoxy resin coatings. It is also a key precursor in the synthesis of various esters for perfumes and flavors.

Origin:

It can be found naturally in some fruits and teas. Synthetically, it is produced industrially from toluene, often via benzyl chloride hydrolysis or benzaldehyde hydrogenation.

What does Benzyl Alcohol  do in a formulation?

As defined by SpecialChem, its primary functions are: Antimicrobial, Preservative, Perfuming, Solvent, and Viscosity Controlling.

HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

• Classification of the substance or mixture
• GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)

1. Acute Tox. 4 H302 Harmful if swallowed.
2. Acute Tox. 4 H332 Harmful if inhaled
    

• Signal word: Warning.
• Hazard and precautionary statements
  Hazard Statements:
  H302 Harmful if swallowed.
  H332 Harmful if inhaled
• Precautionary statement
  P261
  Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/ vapours/spray.
  P264
  Wash thoroughly after handling.
  P270
  Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  P271
  Use only outdoors or in a well ventilated area.

         P301 + P312
          IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTRE/doctor if you feel unwell.
         P304 + P340
       IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for
       breathing.
        P312
       Call a POISON CENTRE/doctor if you feel unwell.
       P330
       Rinse mouth.
       P501 Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/international
       regulations.

• Other hazards:
  None

COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

FIRST AID MEASURES

•  In the event of exposure by inhalation:
  If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention.

• In the event of splashes or contact with eyes:
  Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation occurs
• In the event of splashes or contact with skin:
  Wash with soap and water. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Get medical attention if irritation develops
• In the event of swallowing:
  Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. Get medical attention if symptoms appear

FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

• Flammability of the Product: May be combustible at high temperature.
   
• Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not available.
   
• Flash Points: Not available.
   
• Flammable Limits: Not available.
   
• Products of Combustion: These products are carbon oxides (CO, CO2).
   
• Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Slightly flammable to flammable in presence of heat. Non-flammable in presence of shocks

• Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: 

  Risks of explosion of the product in presence of mechanical impact: Not available

  Risks of explosion of the product in presence of static discharge: Not available

• Fire Fighting Media and Instructions:

SMALL FIRE: Use DRY chemical powder. LARGE FIRE: Use water spray, fog or foam. Do not use water jet.
Special Remarks on Fire Hazards: Not available.
Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards: Not available.

• Special protective equipment for fire-fighters:

As with most organic solids, fire is possible at elevated temperatures.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

• Personal precautions: Normal precautions
• Environmental precautions:  Small Spill: Absorb with an inert material and put the spilled material in an appropriate waste disposal.
  Large Spill: Absorb with an inert material and put the spilled material in an appropriate waste disposal. Finish cleaning by spreading water on the contaminated surface and allow evacuating through the sanitary system
• Methods for cleaning up: No data

HANDLING AND STORAGE

• Handling: Keep away from heat. Keep away from sources of ignition. Empty containers pose a fire risk, evaporate the residue under a fume hood. Ground all equipment containing material. Do not ingest. Do not breathe gas/fumes/ vapor/spray. If ingested, seek medical advice immediately and show the container or the label. Keep away from incompatibles such as oxidizing agents
• Storage: Keep container tightly closed. Keep container in a cool, well-ventilated area

EXPOSURE CONTROL/PERSONAL PROTECTION

• Engineering Controls: Provide exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls to keep the airborne concentrations of vapors below their respective threshold limit value. Ensure that eyewash stations and safety showers are proximal to the work-station location
• Personal Protection: Safety glasses. Lab coat
• Personal Protection in Case of a Large Spill: Splash goggles. Full suit. Boots. Gloves. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist BEFORE handling this product
• Exposure Limits: Not available

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

• General information:  Physical state: liquid
• Important health, safety and environmental information:

STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

• Stability: The product is stable
• Conditions of Instability: Excess heat, incompatible materials
• Corrosivity: Not available
  Special Remarks on Reactivity: Not available
• Special Remarks on Corrosivity: Not available
• Polymerization: Will not occur
• Materials to avoid: Not available
• Hazardous decomposition products: Possibly hazardous short term degradation products are not likely. However, long term degradation products may arise

TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

• Toxicity : Toxicity to fish
  static test LC50 - Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) - 460 mg/l - 96 h (US-EPA)
  Toxicity to daphnia and other aquatic invertebrates
  Immobilization EC50 - Daphnia magna (Water flea) - 230 mg/l – 48 h (OECD Test Guideline 202)
  Toxicity to algae static test ErC50 - Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (green algae) - 700 mg/l - 72 h (OECD Test Guideline 201)
  Water Hazard Class: Lack of data.
• Persistence and degradability: Further details: Biodegradability in Water:
  aerobic - Exposure time 14 d
  Result: 92 - 96 % - Readily biodegradable.
  (OECD Test Guideline 301C)
  aerobic - Exposure time 21 d
  Result: 95 - 97 % - Readily biodegradable.
  (OECD Test Guideline 301A)
  Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
  1.550 mg/g
  Remarks: (Lit.)
  Theoretical oxygen demand
  2.515 mg/g  

           Remarks: (IUCLID)
           Ratio BOD/ThBOD
        62 %
        Remarks: (Lit.)

• Bioaccumulative potential: Partition coefficient n-octanol/water: Lack of data
• Mobility in soil: No data available
• Results of PBT and vPvB assessment :No data available
• Other adverse effects : General information: Do not allow to enter into ground-water, surface water or drains

DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Waste: Waste must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local environmental control regulations.
• Soiled packaging: None-recycle

TRANSPORT INFORMATION

• UN number : ADR/RID: - IMDG: - IATA: 3334
• UN proper shipping name : ADR/RID: Not dangerous goods
  IMDG: Not dangerous goods
  IATA: Aviation regulated liquid, n.o.s. (Benzyl alcohol)
• Transport hazard class(es): ADR/RID: - IMDG: - IATA: 9
• Packing group : ADR/RID: - IMDG: - IATA: III
• Environmental hazards : ADR/RID: no IMDG Marine pollutant: no IATA: no
• Special precautions for user: Not available
• Transport in bulk according to Annex II of Marpol and the IBC Code : UN "Model Regulation": Not applicable