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Common Name: Guaiacol
Chemical Formula: C7H8O2
Synonyms: 2-Methoxyphenol, o-Methoxyphenol
CAS Number: 90-05-1
Physical Appearance: Pale yellow to amber oily liquid, smoky smell
Common Uses: Flavoring agent, intermediate in chemical synthesis, analytical reagent
Health Hazards: Irritates skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, possibly harmful if swallowed or inhaled
Fire Hazard: Can catch fire if exposed to open flame or high temperatures
Target Organs: Skin, mucous membranes, central nervous system
Acute Effects: Coughing, headache, dizziness, nausea after exposure
Chronic Effects: Prolonged skin contact might cause dermatitis, possible sensitization
Signal Word: Warning (for consumer labelling)
Major Component: Guaiacol (Minimum purity - high, for chemical uses)
Impurities: Trace amounts of cresols, phenol can sometimes be present in some batches
Mixtures: Not typically sold as a mixture; sold as a single compound for most lab and industrial work
Skin Contact: Rinse exposed skin right away with plenty of soap and running water, remove contaminated clothing
Eye Contact: Flush eyes gently with water, lift upper and lower eyelids, call for medical advice if irritation persists
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air, seek medical attention if breathing is difficult or symptoms persist
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, avoid inducing vomiting, contact poison control or get medical assistance
Symptoms to Watch: Redness, burning, headache, difficulty breathing
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide to put out small fires
Special Hazards from Fire: Dense smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, toxic fumes may form
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full face mask with self-contained breathing apparatus keeps fumes away
Advice for Firefighters: Move containers away from fire area if safe; cool exposed containers with water
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing; avoid breathing in vapors
Spill Clean-Up: Use absorbent material such as sand or vermiculite; scoop into suitable container for disposal
Ventilation: Increase air flow, open doors and windows if spill occurs indoors
Environmental Precautions: Prevent material from seeping into drains or waterways
Handling: Keep containers sealed when not in use, avoid breathing in mists or vapors, minimize skin contact
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from ignition sources and incompatible chemicals like strong oxidizers
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, oxidizing agents
Safe Practices: Wash hands after handling, do not eat or drink near material
Engineering Controls: Work in fume hood or with good mechanical ventilation
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, long sleeves, splash-resistant goggles
Exposure Limits: Occupational guidelines not always established, keep exposures as low as possible
Respiratory Protection: Respirators needed only above recommended airborne concentrations
Appearance: Light amber liquid
Melting Point: Around 28 °C
Boiling Point: About 205 °C
Flash Point: Close to 82 °C (closed cup)
Solubility: Mixes well with alcohol and ether, less so in water
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature
Odor: Distinctly smoky
Density: Roughly 1.12 g/cm³
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage, sensitive to light and heat over time
Reactivity: Readily reacts with strong oxidizers, may react with bases or acids
Hazardous Decomposition: Fires create carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, phenolic fumes
Polymerization: Not known to undergo dangerous polymerization
Acute Toxicity: Swallowing a significant amount might harm liver or kidneys, ingestion linked to nausea and abdominal pain
Skin Contact: Irritation, redness
Eye Contact: Pain, watering, blurry vision possible
Inhalation: Headaches, coughing, mild dizziness, possibly more severe symptoms in those with respiratory issues
Long-Term Effects: No strong evidence links regular low-level exposure to major health issues, but repeated contact increases risk of skin sensitization
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to some aquatic organisms in large spills
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down over days to weeks, can form phenolic residues
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely to build up in fish or plants over time
Mobility in Soil: Moves through soil if spilled in quantity, but binds to organic matter
Disposal Methods: Incinerate in approved facility if possible, sealed containers to hazardous waste handler
Precautions: Keep out of drains, sewers, and waterways
Empty Containers: Rinse thoroughly, dispose of per local hazardous waste regulations
Road/Rail: Transport in sealed, upright containers, secure to prevent leaks
Air: Check airline restrictions, ensure package stays upright
Sea: Store below deck, away from sources of ignition
Labeling Requirements: Include hazard statements for skin, eyes, fire risk
Restrictions: Guaiacol may be regulated for certain large-scale uses, such as flavoring or intermediates in pharmaceuticals
Workplace Regulations: Employers usually need to provide training and safety gear if used at scale
Environmental Regulation: Large facilities must avoid releasing untreated waste containing guaiacol
