Substance profile
α-chlorotoluene
α-chlorotoluene is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a rather unpleasant, irritating odor.
01 · Identification
What α-chlorotoluene is
α-chlorotoluene is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a rather unpleasant, irritating odor. It boils at 174 °C, melts at -39.4 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for α-chlorotoluene
- benzyl chloride
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 |
|---|---|
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| 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>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P305, P308, P310, P312, P313, P314, P330, P332, P338, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
α-chlorotoluene 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 | 174 °C (345.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 178.89 °C (354 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 178.89 °C (354 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -39.4 °C (-38.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| -38.89 °C (-38 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.1 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.1004 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.1 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with ethanol, ethyl ether, chloroform; slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | |
| Miscible in most organic solvents | HSDB | ||
| In water, 525 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 1 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 1 mmHg | at 22 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.23 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 67.22 °C (153 °F) | HSDB | |
| 74 °C (165.2 °F) | open cup | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | 585 °C (1085 °F) | HSDB | |
| 627.22 °C (1161 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.1 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7.1 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 14 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 4.36 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 4.4 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | Low: 0.235 mg/cu m, High: 1.55 mg/cu m, Irritation Level: 41 mg/cu m | from table | HSDB |
| Odor recognition in air= 4.7x10-2 ppm | chemically pure | HSDB | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 411.11 °C (772 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to metal ... . | HSDB | |
| Corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on α-chlorotoluene
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Odor
Human volunteers exposed to benzyl chloride vapor for a single breath reported that the odor was perceptible at 8 ppm (42 mg/cu m), very unpleasant at 17 ppm (88 mg/cu m), painfully strong at 37 ppm (190 mg/cu m), and intolerable at 79 ppm (410 mg/cu m)
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling α-chlorotoluene
Storage conditions
Separated from food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials . Ventilation along the floor. Store only if stabilized.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Will react with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes /HCl and chlorine gas/; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Halogenated aliphatic compounds, such as BENZYL CHLORIDE, are moderately or very reactive. Halogenated organics generally become less reactive as more of their hydrogen atoms are replaced with halogen atoms. Materials in this group are incompatible with strong oxidizing and reducing agents. Also, they are incompatible with many amines, nitrides, azo/diazo compounds, alkali metals, and epoxides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check α-chlorotoluene in the storage compatibility matrix →