Substance profile
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid is white crystals, fine needles, or fluffy white crystalline powder and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Salicylic Acid is
Salicylic Acid is white crystals, fine needles, or fluffy white crystalline powder and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C7H6O3 and its molecular weight is 138.12 g/mol. It boils at 256 °C, melts at 159 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
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 |
|---|---|
| H361d | Suspected of damaging the unborn child. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P270, P280, P301, P305, P310, P312, P330, P338
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Salicylic Acid 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 | 256 °C (492.8 °F) | sublimes, sublimes | ICSC |
| 211 °C (411.8 °F) | at 20 mmHg (reduced pressure) | HSDB | |
| Melting point | 159 °C (318.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 157.22 °C (315 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.4 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.443 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.44 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Soluble in oil of turpentine, alcohol, ether | HSDB | |
| SLIGHTLY SOL IN TOLUENE | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.000082 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 0.00015 mmHg | at 25 °C | ICSC | |
| 0.000082 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Flash point | 157.22 °C (315 °F) | HSDB | |
| 157 °C (314.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 540 °C (1004 °F) | HSDB | |
| 570 °C (1058 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.1 % by volume | at 200 °C | HSDB |
| DUST IS EXPLOSIVE IN AIR ... . | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 4.8 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Non-corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Salicylic Acid
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.
Solubility
Solubility (weight percent): carbon tetrachloride 0.262 (25 °C); benzene 0.775 (25 °C); propanol 27.36 (21 °C); absolute ethanol 34.87 (21 °C); acetone 396 (23 °C)
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Salicylic Acid
Storage conditions
Salicylic acid should be stored in well-closed containers. Salicylic acid collodion should be stored in tight containers at 15-30 °C. Because the collodion is flammable, it should not be stored near heat or an open flame. Salicylic acid plaster should be stored in well-closed containers, preferably at 15-30 °C. The Trans-Ver-Sal plaster should be stored at a temperature less than 37.8 °C.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatability: Iron salts, spirit nitrous ether, lead acetate, iodine.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Salicylic Acid in the storage compatibility matrix →