Substance profile
Cumene
Cumene is a colorless liquid with a gasoline-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Cumene is
Cumene is a colorless liquid with a gasoline-like odor. Its molecular formula is C9H12 and its molecular weight is 120.19 g/mol. It boils at 152 °C, melts at -96 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
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 |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H304 | May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P210, P233, P241, P242, P273, P280, P308, P313, P391, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Cumene 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 | 152.4 °C (306.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| 152.22 °C (306 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 152.39 °C (306.3 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -96 °C (-140.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| -96.11 °C (-141 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -96.06 °C (-140.9 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.86 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.9 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 0.862 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible with ethanol, ethyl ether, acetone, benzene, petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | |
| In water, 50 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 61.3 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 8 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 25.85 mmHg | CAMEO | ||
| 4.5 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 38.89 °C (102 °F) | HSDB | |
| 35.56 °C (96 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 423.89 °C (795 °F) | HSDB | |
| 425 °C (797 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 420 °C (788 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 0.9 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 6.5 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 4.1 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 4.2 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Human odor perception: 0.06 mg/cu m= 0.012 ppm. | HSDB | |
| Detection of cumene in air 0.008 ppm. | HSDB | ||
| Recognition of cumene in air 0.047 ppm. | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 357.85 °C (676.1 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Cumene
Storage conditions
... Precautions ... such as mounds around storage tanks, sills at doorways or especially designed floors /are needed/ to limit spread of escaping liquid. Open flames & other sources of ignition should be excluded where cumene is stored.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Reacts with oxidizing materials. Reacts with nitric acid and sulfuric acid with release of energy.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Mixing CUMENE in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: chlorosulfonic acid, nitric acid, oleum, NFPA 1991.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Cumene in the storage compatibility matrix →