Product Name: Catechol
Chemical Name: 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene
Synonyms: Pyrocatechol, o-Dihydroxybenzene, o-Catechol
Molecular Formula: C6H6O2
Molecular Weight: 110.11 g/mol
CAS Number: 120-80-9
Recommended Uses: Intermediate for antioxidants, dyes, rubber, pharmaceuticals, and photographic chemicals
Supplier Information: Registered chemical manufacturers and distributors, address and emergency contact available on request
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin irritation, Eye damage, Mutagenicity, Carcinogenicity
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed. Causes skin and eye irritation. Suspected of causing genetic defects. May cause cancer through repeated exposure. Toxic to aquatic organisms with long lasting effects.
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, health hazard, environment
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust or vapors. Wear gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection. Do not eat, drink, or smoke during use. Avoid release to the environment.
Chemical Identity: Catechol
Concentration: Greater than 99%
Impurities: Trace water, minor phenolic compounds under 1%
Additives: None reported
Other Information: No other components present at levels requiring disclosure under applicable regulations
Inhalation: Move to fresh air immediately, loosen tight clothing, keep at rest, monitor for difficulty breathing, seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
Skin Contact: Rinse thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, remove contaminated clothing, wash before reuse, consult a physician if irritation persists.
Eye Contact: Flush gently under running water for at least 15 minutes, hold eyelids open, seek urgent ophthalmological assessment.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, never induce vomiting, give water if conscious, consult a medical professional without delay.
Most Important Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, skin redness, burns, respiratory distress, possible hematological changes in severe cases.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical powder, foam, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Strong water jet as splash hazard increases risk
Special Hazards: Combustion gives carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating phenolic fumes
Special Equipment: Firefighters need self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear
Explosion Data: Combustible as fine dust or vapor, risk of explosion if mixed with air and exposed to ignition
Personal Precautions: Ventilate area, use appropriate personal protective equipment, avoid inhalation and skin contact
Spill Response: Absorb with inert materials such as sand or vermiculite, collect in approved containers for disposal
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff into drains, sewers, and natural waterways
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up carefully, avoid creating dust, wash residual area with plenty of water, ventilate thoroughly after cleanup
Handling: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, only handle in well-ventilated areas or under fume hood, keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, static discharge
Storage Conditions: Keep container tightly closed, store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, protect from light and incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers or acids
Incompatible Materials: Strong bases, strong acids, oxidizing agents, certain metals
Technical Measures: Ground and bond containers for bulk handling, use anti-static tools and explosion-proof equipment if large quantities
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA TWA 5 mg/m³, ACGIH TWA 5 mg/m³ (skin notation for absorption)
Engineering Controls: Fume hoods, exhaust ventilation, closed systems, regular environmental air monitoring
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (butyl rubber or nitrile), safety glasses with side shields or goggles, lab coats, full respirator with organic vapor cartridge for airborne exposure above limits
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, do not eat or drink at work, remove contaminated clothing before breaks, ensure safety showers and eyewash stations nearby
Appearance: White to pale tan crystalline solid
Odor: Distinct sweet, phenolic
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: 5.0–6.0 (50 g/L solution in water)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: 104°C (219°F)
Boiling Point: 245°C (473°F) at 760 mmHg
Flash Point: 132°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Not available
Flammability: Combustible solid
Explosive Limits: Not determined
Vapor Pressure: 1 mmHg at 70°C
Vapor Density: 3.8 (air=1)
Specific Gravity: 1.344
Solubility: Soluble in water (430 g/L at 20°C), ethanol, ether, acetone
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Log Kow 0.88
Autoignition Temperature: 540°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not specified
Viscosity: Not applicable to solids
Chemical Stability: Stable at normal temperatures and pressures in closed containers
Hazardous Reactions: Oxidizes easily in air, may react with alkalis and oxidizers
Condition to Avoid: Heat, open flames, sources of ignition, moisture, exposure to air
Incompatible Materials: Sodium nitrite, potassium permanganate, strong acids or bases, oxidizing agents, iron salts
Hazardous Decomposition: Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, irritating phenolic vapors, and trace amounts of quinones
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 260 mg/kg; LD50 (dermal, rabbit): 500 mg/kg
Inhalation: Harmful if inhaled, can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath
Dermal Effects: Causes irritation, redness, absorption through skin may lead to systemic poisoning
Chronic Exposure: Repeat or prolonged exposure may trigger allergic skin reactions or dermatitis, potential links to hematologic effects
Carcinogenicity: IARC 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), NTP reasonably anticipated, not regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen
Mutagenicity: Tests show mutagenic potential in bacterial systems
Reproductive Toxicity: No definitive human data; animal studies show effects at high exposures
Target Organ Effects: Blood, kidneys, central nervous system
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish) 11 mg/L (96 h Regenbogenforelle, Oncorhynchus mykiss), EC50 (Daphnia magna) 3.8 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in soil and water with adaptation, but acute effects possible
Bioaccumulation: Bioaccumulation is expected to be low due to moderate water solubility and Kow
Mobility in Soil: High mobility, rapidly desorbed and degraded under aerobic conditions
Other Adverse Effects: Toxic to aquatic organisms at moderate concentrations, careful containment and managed disposal recommended to prevent environmental contamination
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose as hazardous chemical waste in accordance with local, national, and international regulations
Container Disposal: Rinse and triple-contaminate, then dispose in approved landfill or incineration facilities
Special Precautions: Do not allow product to enter drains, surface waters or soil; avoid disposal with non-hazardous waste
Recommended Methods: Use licensed hazardous waste contractors, document quantities and handling steps, encourage recycling if possible under chemical controls
UN Number: 2811
UN Proper Shipping Name: Toxic solid, organic, n.o.s. (contains Catechol)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Environmental Hazards: Classified as hazardous for aquatic environment
Transport Precautions: Secure containers to prevent leaks, provide labels, provide Emergency Response Information as per applicable regulations, do not ship with foodstuffs or animal feeds
US EPA TSCA Status: Listed
SARA 302/304 Extremely Hazardous: Not listed
SARA 313 (TRI Reporting): Subject to reporting under Section 313
California Proposition 65: Listed – known to cause cancer
OSHA Hazard Communication: Regulated as hazardous
REACH Registration (EU): Registered, subject to restrictions as a hazardous substance
Other International Regulations: Included on Canadian DSL/NDSL, EINECS, Australian AICS, Japanese ENCS
Workplace Labelling: Signal word DANGER, pictograms, hazard and precautionary statements required on containers
