Chemical Name: Alkyl Catechols
Common Names: 4-tert-Butylcatechol, 2-sec-Butylcatechol, 3-tert-Octylcatechol
Synonyms: Alkylated o-dihydroxybenzenes, catechol derivatives
Formula: C10H14O2 (for 4-tert-Butylcatechol)
CAS Number: 98-29-3 (4-tert-Butylcatechol); 13189-00-9 (2-sec-Butylcatechol); 61969-50-4 (3-tert-Octylcatechol)
Recommended Uses: Polymerization inhibitor, antioxidant, stabilizer in industrial applications
Manufacturer: Chemical suppliers specializing in catechol derivatives
Emergency Contact: Refer to local chemical emergency response
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral), Category 4; Skin Irritation, Category 2; Serious Eye Damage, Category 1
Hazard Statements: Toxic if ingested. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Harmful to aquatic life.
Pictograms: Exclamation Mark, Corrosive, Environment
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Do not breathe dust or vapors. Wear proper protective equipment.
Potential Health Effects: Can cause gastrointestinal distress, skin redness, eye burns, nausea, headache. Prolonged exposure may affect liver and kidneys.
Environmental Effects: May disrupt aquatic organisms and bioaccumulate.
Component: Alkyl Catechol Variant (e.g., 4-tert-Butylcatechol)
CAS Number: 98-29-3
Concentration: 97-99%
Impurities: Traces of phenols, quinones, alkylated by-products (≤2%)
Molecular Weight: 166.22 g/mol (4-tert-Butylcatechol)
Other ingredients: None reported for neat product. For formulated blends, consult supplier.
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop. Support breathing as needed.
Skin Contact: Wash affected area with lots of soap and water for at least fifteen minutes. Remove contaminated clothing. Medical advice if irritation continues.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with clean water for no less than twenty minutes while holding eyelids open. Contact an ophthalmologist at once.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water only. Do not induce vomiting. Consult a poison center or physician without delay.
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation, burns, blistering, tearing, stomach pain, shortness of breath. May affect central nervous system if ingested in volume.
Note to Physicians: Treat symptomatically. Monitor for respiratory complications, metabolic effects.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray for larger fires
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jet may spread product.
Special Hazards: Toxic vapors (phenolic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide) released upon combustion.
Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Firefighting Procedures: Evacuate area, cool containers with water, contain runoff. Avoid inhalation of smoke.
Decomposition Products: Carbon oxides, alkylated phenols, hydroquinone
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel from spill area. Use appropriate PPE including gloves, eye, and face protection.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, surface water, and soil. Contain spill using inert absorbents or barriers.
Cleanup Methods: Scoop up solid or absorb liquids onto inert material (sand, vermiculite). Collect in closed non-metallic containers for disposal. Wash area with mild detergent and water.
Disposal of Waste: Dispose via chemical waste authorized facility following environmental regulations.
Handling: Wear gloves, eye, and face protection. Work in ventilated areas. Avoid generating dust or vapor. Prevent skin and eye contact. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling.
Storage: Store in original, tightly closed chemical-resistant containers. Keep away from heat sources, sparks, and open flames. Store at room temperature, protected from sunlight and moisture. Keep segregated from strong oxidizers, acids, and bases.
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizing agents, bases, acids. May react with peroxides and anhydrides.
Storage Stability: Product remains stable for up to two years under recommended conditions.
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation to minimize vapor/dust levels
Respiratory Protection: Approved respirators for organic vapors or dust if exposure exceeds occupational limits
Eye Protection: Chemical splash goggles or face shield
Hand Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene recommended)
Skin Protection: Impervious clothing (lab coat/apron, closed-toe shoes)
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA/ACGIH TWA for catechols: 5 mg/m³; consult local regulations for alkylated catechols
Appearance: White to tan crystalline solid
Odor: Mildly phenolic, medicinal
Boiling Point: 285°C (4-tert-Butylcatechol)
Melting Point: 52-57°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohols, acetone, ether
Specific Gravity: 1.05 (at 25°C)
pH: Weakly acidic in aqueous solution
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at 20°C
Partition Coefficient (log P): 2.1
Evaporation Rate: Very low
Flash Point: 130°C (closed cup)
Autoignition Temperature: 540°C
Flammability: Not easily ignitable under normal conditions
Viscosity: N/A for solid; low for melted product
Chemical Reactivity: Stable under recommended storage conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Direct sunlight, high temperatures, flames, moisture
Incompatible Materials: Oxidizers, acids, strong bases, metallic sodium, acid chlorides
Hazardous Decomposition: Carbon oxides, alkyl phenols, quinones
Hazardous Polymerization: Product unlikely to polymerize under normal handling
Stability: Maintains integrity for intended shelf life if kept in sealed containers away from reactive chemicals
Acute Toxicity: LD50 oral (rat) ~2000 mg/kg; LD50 dermal (rabbit) >2000 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes irritation, redness, and possible blistering upon prolonged contact
Eye Damage/Irritation: Can induce severe damage including burns and vision loss if exposure is prolonged
Respiratory Sensitization: Possible with high levels of vapor or dust; may cause coughing, shortness of breath
Carcinogenicity: No reliable evidence aligns alkyl catechols with significant carcinogenic risk; ongoing studies
Mutagenicity: Limited data, but catechols historically show negative results
Target Organ Effects: Liver, kidneys, central nervous system at high exposures
Chronic Toxicity: Dermatitis with repeated contact, possible systemic effects on prolonged, unmanaged exposure
Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms (fish LC50 ~20-40 mg/L, Daphnia EC50 ≤ 10 mg/L); harmful effect on algae at similar concentrations
Persistence/Degradability: Moderately biodegradable in water and soil; rate depends on conditions
Bioaccumulation: Low to moderate potential due to log P value; alkylation increases environmental persistence relative to simple catechols
Mobility: Limited mobility in soil; will adhere to organic matter
Other Adverse Effects: May interfere with natural microbial flora, with risk for contamination in surface waters
Waste Disposal: Gather all waste alkyl catechols and contaminated material in suitable, labeled containers. Do not discharge into drains or water systems. Follow regional, national, and international regulations for incineration or hazardous chemical disposal. Seek advice from a licensed disposal contractor for large-scale operations.
Disposal of Packaging: Triple-rinse containers. Only reuse or recycle if decontaminated fully; otherwise, treat as hazardous waste.
Precautions: Use personal protection, avoid inhaling dust, and prevent leaks during collection for disposal.
UN Number: UN 2811 (for toxic solid, organic, n.o.s.)
Proper Shipping Name: Toxic solid, organic, n.o.s. (Alkylcatechol)
Hazard Class: 6.1 (toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Toxic (Skull & Crossbones), Environment (if shipped in bulk)
Transport by Road/Rail (ADR/RID): Code 60, comply with carriage regulations
Transport by Air (ICAO/IATA): Restricted, forbidden on passenger flights unless in limited quantities
Transport by Sea (IMDG): Restricted; marine pollutant in large volume
Precautions for Transport: Store upright, avoid mechanical shocks, provide clear labeling. Segregate from food, oxidizers, bases.
Workplace Safety: Refer to regional occupational safety directives. Listed under US OSHA hazardous chemicals; included on EINECS/ELINCS for Europe.
Environment: Subject to hazardous substance reporting per US CERCLA, SARA Title III, and EU REACH regulation.
Labeling: GHS-compliant hazard symbols and phrases required; European CLP and US HCS labeling mandated.
Other Regulations: EPA monitoring for discharge; waste listed in hazardous waste catalogs. Not subject to specific restrictions as a food additive or pharmaceutical unless otherwise identified.
Community Right-to-Know: Alkyl catechols demand reporting where stored or used above certain thresholds. Always consult local/national law for any additional stipulations or carcinogen/reproductive toxin warnings.
