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Name: 2-Phenyl-2-Propanol
Synonyms: Benzhydrol, Diphenylmethanol
Chemical Formula: C9H12O
CAS Number: 617-94-7
Appearance: This chemical usually shows up as a white to off-white solid with a subtle aromatic scent. Over the years, grabbing a bottle of this in a research lab, it takes time to appreciate just how pivotal a careful label can be for quick identification.
Odor: Mild, sweet aroma, which should never distract anyone from its risks.
Classification: Irritant to eyes and skin, mild respiratory irritant
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Direct contact brings discomfort, most folks experience redness or itching, and inhalation sometimes causes coughing.
Pictograms: Exclamation Mark (for irritation hazard)
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing in dust or vapors, keep away from eyes, skin, and clothes, and wash hands after use. In older labs, gloves sometimes got overlooked for “safer” compounds like this, but too many incidents have shown that’s a mistake.
Chemical Name: 2-Phenyl-2-Propanol
Concentration: 98-100%
Impurities: Minor traces, usually no major contaminants if handled from reputable sources
Unique Characteristics: No added stabilizers or solvents, which makes purity checks essential, especially in reactions sensitive to trace materials.
Eye Contact: Rinse with water for several minutes, keep eyelids open and remove contacts if present. Folks who delay this often regret it, as irritation builds quickly.
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water—don’t scrub too hard, but don’t assume a light rinse will do the job.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, rest, and seek medical help if symptoms linger. In smaller labs, people got into trouble ventilating poorly after small spills.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, seek medical advice, don’t induce vomiting. Panic adds risk here, so having a spill kit ready beats improvising every time.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Do not use high-pressure water jets.
Flammability: Not highly flammable, but products of combustion could rile up the air with nasty fumes. Uncontrolled fires in storage rooms have proven small organics can go from “manageable” to “noxious” in a flash.
Special Hazards: Fire releases fumes of carbon oxides.
Advice for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Years ago, a colleague ignored this once and described the ensuing cough as “memorable, in all the wrong ways.”
Personal Precautions: Avoid direct contact, use gloves and goggles, ventilate area. People often underestimate minor spills; best practice is to act with the same urgency as with more notorious chemicals.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to drains and waterways. Even low-toxicity chemicals stress water systems if released in volume.
Cleanup Methods: Scoop up solids or absorb spills with inert material, place in chemical waste container, clean area with plenty of water. On floors, residues get slippery—always mop up thoroughly.
Handling: Work in ventilated areas, avoid inhaling fumes and dust, use personal protective gear.
Storage: Keep sealed, store in a cool, dry place, separate from oxidizers. Overcrowded storerooms—especially below fume hoods—often become accident hotspots. Proper labeling and separate shelving make life a lot easier.
Special Considerations: Keep containers tightly closed—humidity changes can clump solids or spoil samples.
Occupational Exposure Limits: Not well-defined for this chemical, but minimize exposure as a general best practice.
Engineering Controls: Use fume hoods when handling significant amounts.
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, lab coats, sometimes a dust respirator if powder clouds are likely. Too many seasoned techs got complacent, but quick reactions only help if you’ve got the basics covered.
State: Solid
Color: White to off-white
Melting Point: 57–60°C
Boiling Point: Around 215°C
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, easily dissolves in alcohols and organic solvents. This means accidental spills are a bigger hassle to clean up if they mix with organic residues on benches.
Density: Approx. 1.01 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Very low at room temperature, but heating it will release more fumes.
Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions
Reactivity: Avoid strong oxidizing agents, acids, and bases, as unpredictable reactions may occur. Years of handling show that chemicals with aromatic rings often lure folks into a sense of false security, but all it takes is the wrong mixture for trouble.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Thermal breakdown releases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and trace irritant fumes.
Acute Effects: May cause moderate skin and eye irritation. Repeated exposure brings dryness and redness; biggest issue is usually minor irritation, not long-term health consequences.
Chronic Effects: Long-term risks remain unclear, which means caution wins over assumptions about low toxicity.
Inhalation: Can trigger coughing or a scratchy throat, especially in poorly ventilated labs.
Ingestion: May upset stomach, cause nausea, or give a burning sensation.
Skin/Eye: Causes localized redness, discomfort, itching.
Aquatic Toxicity: Data limited but suspected low toxicity in waterways.
Persistence/Degradability: Not classified as persistent, but organics shouldn’t reach water sources. Every bit of chemical flushed down the drain adds up; it always comes back on local treatment plants or, worse, local wildlife.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Expected to be low. Still, better to minimize discharge.
Waste Treatment Methods: Collect as hazardous chemical waste, avoid pouring into drains.
Contaminated Packaging: Wash and dispose in accordance with local and national regulations. Every disposal ends up reflecting the lab’s standard, and stricter policies show up in fewer accidents long-term.
UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport
Proper Shipping Name: 2-Phenyl-2-Propanol
Transport Hazards: No major transport hazard classification, but containers should be sealed well to prevent spills or vapors. My experience with minor leaks during transit proves that a good seal matters as much as the right label.
Regulatory Status: Not listed as a controlled substance under GHS, OSHA, or most global regulatory regimes.
Label Elements: Calls for warning labels focusing on irritation risk.
Other Legislation: Follow any workplace-specific or university chemical safety regulations, as enforcement always crosses with local policies.
