Substance profile
Benzaldehyde
Benzaldehyde is a strongly refractive liquid, becoming yellowish on keeping with a characteristic odor or volatile oil of almond.
01 · Identification
What Benzaldehyde is
Benzaldehyde is a strongly refractive liquid, becoming yellowish on keeping with a characteristic odor or volatile oil of almond. Its molecular formula is C7H6O and its molecular weight is 106.12 g/mol. It boils at 179 °C, melts at -57.1 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 2nd degree.
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 |
|---|---|
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Benzaldehyde 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 | 178.7 °C (353.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 178.89 °C (354 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 179 °C (354.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Melting point | -57.12 °C (-70.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -26.11 °C (-15 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -26 °C (-14.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.046 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.041 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohol, ether, fixed and volatile oils | HSDB | |
| Approximately 0.6% wt. at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 6950 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 1.27 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 0.9976 mmHg | at 26 °C | ICSC | |
| 1 mmHg | at 26.22 °C | CAMEO | |
| Flash point | 62.78 °C (145 °F) | HSDB | |
| 73.9 °C (165 °F) | Open cup | HSDB | |
| 64.44 °C (148 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 191.67 °C (377 °F) | HSDB | |
| 192.22 °C (378 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 192 °C (377.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| /Benzaldehyde/... can form explosive peroxides under special conditions. | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 3.66 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3.65 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 3.7 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 421.85 °C (791.3 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Benzaldehyde
Storage conditions
Store under nitrogen. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Air, light, and moisture sensitive.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents, strong bases, alkali metals, aluminum, iron, phenols, oxygen.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
A nontoxic, combustible liquid, reacts with oxidizing reagents. BENZALDEHYDE must be blanketed with an inert gas at all times since it is oxidized readily by air to benzoic acid [Kirk-Othmer, 3rd ed., Vol. 3, 1978, p. 736]. In contact with strong acids or bases it will undergo an exothermic condensation reaction [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 327]. A violent reaction was observed on contact with peroxyacids (peroxyformic acid) [D'Ans, J. et al., Ber., 1915, 48, p. 1136]. An explosion occurred when pyrrolidine, benzaldehyde, and propionic acid were heated to form porphyrins.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Benzaldehyde in the storage compatibility matrix →