Substance profile
Benzyl chloroformate
Benzyl chloroformate is an oily liquid with an acrid odor.
01 · Identification
What Benzyl chloroformate is
Benzyl chloroformate is an oily liquid with an acrid odor. Its molecular formula is C8H7ClO2 and its molecular weight is 170.59 g/mol. It boils at 152 °C, melts at 0 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
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 |
|---|---|
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P273, P280, P301, P310, P331, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Benzyl chloroformate 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 | 152 °C (305.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 152.22 °C (306 °F) | decomposes, at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 0 °C (32 °F) | ICSC | |
| Density | 1.2166 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.2 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 1.22 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | SOL IN ETHER, ACETONE, BENZENE | HSDB | |
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 7 mmHg | HSDB | |
| 0.0675 mmHg | ICSC | ||
| Flash point | 108.33 °C (227 °F) | HSDB | |
| 80 °C (176 °F) | ICSC | ||
| 108.33 °C (227 °F) | decomposes | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE. | DURING FIRE | HSDB |
| Vapor density | 1 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Benzyl chloroformate
Incompatible materials
FORMS HYDROGEN CHLORIDE (HYDROCHLORIC ACID) WITH WATER; REACTION IS VERY VIGOROUS IN COLD WATER
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
BENZYL CHLOROFORMATE decomposes slowly in water forming benzyl alcohol, HCl, and CO2. Gives off HCl fumes in moist air. Reacts with bases, both organic and inorganic. Attacks many metals especially in humid atmosphere [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 476]. Catalytic impurity incidents involving the iron catalyzed decomposition of benzoyl chloroformate have caused several explosions. The iron presumably comes from corrosion of steel storage tanks [Loss Prev. Bull., 1975, (003), 2]. May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Benzyl chloroformate in the storage compatibility matrix →