Substance profile
Nicotine
Nicotine is a colorless to pale yellow, oily liquid with a fish-like odor when warm.
01 · Identification
What Nicotine is
Nicotine is a colorless to pale yellow, oily liquid with a fish-like odor when warm. Its molecular formula is C10H14N2 and its molecular weight is 162.23 g/mol. It boils at 247 °C, melts at -79 °C, is slightly soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as teratogens.
Other names for Nicotine
- nicotine (ISO)
- 3-[(2S)-1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl]pyridine
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 |
|---|---|
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H310 | Fatal in contact with skin. |
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed. |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P330, P352, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Nicotine 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 | 246.72 °C (476.1 °F) | at 745 mmHg | CAMEO |
| 249 °C (480.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Melting point | -79 °C (-110.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -78.89 °C (-110 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.01 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.0092 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.0097 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with water below 60 °C; very sol in alcohol, chloroform, ether, petroleum ether, kerosene, oils | HSDB | |
| Slightly soluble in ligroin | HSDB | ||
| In water, 1X10+6 mg/L at 25 °C (miscible) | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.08 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.045 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 0.038 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 101.11 °C (214 °F) | HSDB | |
| 95 °C (203 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 243.89 °C (471 °F) | HSDB | |
| 240 °C (464 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 0.7 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 0.75 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 5.61 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 5.6 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | 1.90x10-5 moles/l taste detection in water (purity not specified) | HSDB | |
| 3.00x10-3 g/l taste detection in water (purity not specified) | HSDB | ||
| Corrosivity | Nicotine will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Nicotine
Incompatible materials
... Can react with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
An alkaloid produced from tobacco. Colorless, oily liquid, combustible, highly toxic. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 919].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Nicotine in the storage compatibility matrix →