Substance profile
4-Nitrophenol
4-Nitrophenol is colorless to slightly yellow crystals and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What 4-Nitrophenol is
4-Nitrophenol is colorless to slightly yellow crystals and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C6H5NO3 and its molecular weight is 139.11 g/mol. It boils at 279 °C, melts at 114 °C, is very soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for 4-Nitrophenol
- p-nitrophenol
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P312, P314, P330, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
4-Nitrophenol properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 278.89 °C (534 °F) | OSHA | |
| 279 °C (534.2 °F) | decomposes, Decomposes | HSDB | |
| 278.89 °C (534 °F) | decomposes, at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 113.6 °C (236.5 °F) | DOE PAC | |
| 113.5 °C (236.3 °F) | range, midpoint shown | HSDB | |
| 113.89 °C (237 °F) | range, midpoint shown | CAMEO | |
| Density | 1.5 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.479 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.48 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in alcohol, chloroform, ether; soluble in solution of fixed alkali hydroxides and carbonates | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in ethanol, ether, and acetone | HSDB | ||
| In water, 15,600 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.0000979 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| 1 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.000024 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | 191.67 °C (377 °F) | CAMEO | |
| 169 °C (336.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 490 °C (914 °F) | ICSC | |
| Vapor density | 1.244 (air = 1) | at 65 °C | CAMEO |
| Odor threshold | 58.3 MG/L | HSDB | |
| Detection in air: 2.3 mg/cu m | HSDB | ||
| Detection in water: 2.5 mg/L | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 4-Nitrophenol
Storage conditions
... KEEP ALL FLAMMABLES AWAY FROM AREA WHERE OXIDIZING AGENTS ARE STORED. ... AREA ... KEPT COOL & VENTILATED, & SHOULD BE FIREPROOFED.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Mixtures with diethyl phosphite may explode when heated.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
4-NITROPHENOL is a slightly yellow, crystalline material, moderately toxic. Mixtures with diethyl phosphite may explode when heated. Decomposes exothermally, emits toxic fumes of oxides of nitrogen [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 941]. Decomposes violently at 279 °C and will burn even in absence of air (USCG, 1999). Solid mixtures of the nitrophenol and potassium hydroxide (1:1.5 mol) readily deflagrate [Bretherick, 5th Ed., 1995].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 4-Nitrophenol in the storage compatibility matrix →