Substance profile
Resorcinol
Resorcinol is white needle-like crystals with a faint, characteristic odor.
01 · Identification
What Resorcinol is
Resorcinol is white needle-like crystals with a faint, characteristic odor. Its molecular formula is C6H6O2 and its molecular weight is 110.11 g/mol. It boils at 280 °C, melts at 110 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
Other names for Resorcinol
- 1,3-benzenediol
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. |
| H370 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P261, P264, P270, P272, P273, P280, P301, P302, P305, P308, P311, P312, P313, P330, P332, P333, P337, P338, P352, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Resorcinol 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 | 280 °C (536 °F) | HSDB | |
| 277.22 °C (531 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Melting point | 109.8 °C (229.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 110 °C (230 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 108.89 °C (228 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.278 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.2 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | 1 g dissolves in 0.9 mL alcohol; freely soluble in ether, glycerol; slightly soluble in chloroform | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in carbon tetrachloride; soluble in ethanol, ethyl ether; slightly soluble in benzene, chloroform | HSDB | ||
| In water, 7.17X10+5 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.0004875 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 0.000489 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.0002 mmHg | at 25 °C | NIOSH | |
| Flash point | 127.22 °C (261 °F) | HSDB | |
| 127 °C (260.6 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 607.78 °C (1126 °F) | HSDB | |
| 607.22 °C (1125 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 607 °C (1124.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.4 % by volume | DOE PAC | |
| 1.28 % by volume | at 200 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.4 % by volume | at 200 °C | NIOSH | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 1.4 % by volume | at 200 °C | HSDB |
| 1.4 % by volume | at 93.33 °C | OSHA | |
| Vapor density | 3.79 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | Odor threshold concentration (detection): 6.0 mg/L | HSDB | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 810 °C (1490 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Resorcinol
Storage conditions
Separated from incompatible materials and food and feedstuffs.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Can react with oxidizing materials
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
RESORCINOL is a weak organic acid. Incompatible with acetanilide, albumin, alkalis, antipyrine, camphor, iron salts, menthol, spirit nitrous ether, and urethane. Can react with oxidizing materials (NTP, 1992). Has a potentially explosive reaction with concentrated nitric acid [Lewis]. Turns pink on contact with iron.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Resorcinol in the storage compatibility matrix →