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Chemical Name: Vanillic Acid
Chemical Formula: C8H8O4
Synonyms: 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid
CAS Number: 121-34-6
Appearance: White to off-white crystalline powder; this compound often arrives in fine, odoriferous granules, recognizable by their faint vanilla aroma.
Uses: Common in flavor synthesis, fragrance, as an intermediate in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, and in some laboratory applications.
Odor: Slight vanilla scent; not penetrating but distinguishable up close.
Hazard Classification: Not classified as hazardous under most national and international chemical safety standards.
Physical Hazards: Combustible in the presence of strong heat or ignition sources.
Health Hazards: May irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory system upon prolonged or repeated contact; dust can affect sensitive individuals.
Environmental Hazards: Not environmentally hazardous under normal conditions; still, direct uncontrolled release adds to chemical load in the environment.
Label Elements: Minimal pictograms, signal words not required in most jurisdictions.
Component: Vanillic Acid
Purity: Usually available at 98% or more for laboratory and industrial use.
Impurities: May include trace phenolic byproducts at low concentrations, largely from production methods.
Inhalation: Remove affected person to fresh air, offer reassurance, encourage slow deep breathing; symptoms of minor respiratory irritation tend to subside quickly away from the source.
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with water and mild soap; persistent irritation should prompt medical attention.
Eye Contact: Rinse gently yet thoroughly with clean, running water; keep eye(s) open during flushing, seek medical advice for redness or discomfort.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth out; drink small amounts of water if the individual feels fine otherwise, seek a physician if discomfort continues or in case of intentional ingestion.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide for localized fires; water spray can help cool containers but direct jet may spread powdered material.
Unsuitable Media: Avoid high-pressure water streams, as these may disperse fine particulates into the air.
Fire Hazards: Dust clouds could ignite at high temperatures; fire releases irritating fumes like carbon oxides.
Protection for Firefighters: Wear full gear along with self-contained breathing apparatus; prevent inhalation of any smoke or decomposition products.
Personal Precautions: Utilize dust masks and gloves to limit direct contact; ventilation helps dissipate accumulating vapors.
Environment Precautions: Keep out of drains and natural waterways regardless of presumed low toxicity; sweep up carefully using methods that reduce airborne dust.
Cleanup Methods: Collect spilled product mechanically, avoid dry sweeping if possible to contain dust; store in appropriate containers for disposal.
Handling: Open containers slowly, especially after transport; avoid generating dust by handling with care, consider using spark-proof tools.
Storage: Store in tightly closed, clearly labeled containers away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and incompatible chemicals like strong oxidants; keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.
Special Precautions: Take steps to avoid inhaling fine powder; practice routine hand washing and cleaning of surfaces where product is handled.
Exposure Limits: No established occupational exposure limits found in major regulatory databases.
Engineering Controls: Process under local exhaust or general room ventilation where practical, especially if larger quantities get handled.
Personal Protective Equipment: Use safety glasses, dust-resistant gloves, and a mask or respirator whenever handling significant amounts or generating dust; lab coats or protective clothing recommended.
Physical State: Solid (crystalline powder)
Color: White to beige crystals
Melting Point: About 210°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Moderately soluble in hot water, limited solubility in cold water, more soluble in ethanol and other polar organic solvents
Odor: Mild, vanilla-like
pH (1% solution): Slightly acidic
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Chemical Stability: Remains stable under ordinary conditions of handling and storage.
Conditions to Avoid: Strong heat, open flames, direct sunlight, and contact with moisture over long periods.
Incompatible Materials: Avoid mixing with strong oxidizers, reductants, or bases; reactions can be vigorous under uncontrolled conditions.
Decomposition Products: Thermal decomposition yields pungent organic fumes, including carbon oxides.
Acute Toxicity: Generally recognized as having low toxicity; significant adverse effects unlikely at customary levels of exposure.
Irritation: May cause transient irritation to eyes, skin, and airways.
Sensitization: Occasional allergic response in especially sensitive persons.
Chronic Effects: No established association with chronic toxicity or carcinogenicity at low, routine exposures.
Ingestion: Small, unintended ingestions typically pass without lasting effects.
Aquatic Toxicity: Not considered acutely toxic to aquatic life based on available studies; normal levels in laboratory or industrial use unlikely to threaten ecosystems.
Persistence and Degradability: Expected to break down in the environment over time via biological and abiotic pathways.
Bioaccumulation: Tends not to accumulate significantly in living organisms.
Mobility in Soil: Shows moderate mobility but binds to organic matter, minimizing runoff risk in many localities.
Waste Management: Dispose in accordance with local waste regulations; best practice calls for collection in sealed containers for chemical waste disposal.
Precautions: Avoid releasing substantial amounts into municipal or natural systems; treat rinse waters and cleaning residues as chemical waste.
Container Handling: Empty containers still carry trace materials and should be managed the same way.
UN Number: Not regulated for road, rail, air, or sea transport in most jurisdictions.
Transport Hazard Class: Not considered a transport hazard; usual packaging standards apply.
Special Precautions: Ships safely under ordinary conditions; labeling for personal protection during handling still applies during loading and unloading.
Global Listings: Found in chemical inventories for the United States, European Union, and many other regions.
Labeling Requirements: Minimal under most international guidelines; basic safety and handling instructions recommended.
Restrictions: Not subject to specific restrictions in commerce or laboratory settings under the most common chemical control standards.
