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Note: This information is provided for reference purposes only. Although
the information provided here was accurate and current when first created,
it is now outdated.
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EPA Chemical Profile |
CAS Registry Number: | 140-29-4 |
Date: | October 31, 1985 |
Revision: | November 30, 1987 |
CHEMICAL IDENTITY -- | BENZYL CYANIDE |
Synonyms: | (Cyanomethyl)Benzene; 2-Phenylacetonitrile; Acetic acid, Phenyl-Nitrile; Acetonitrile, Phenyl-; alpha-Cyanotoluene; alpha-Tolunitrile; Benzeneacetonitrile; Benzyl Nitrile; omega-Cyanotoluene; Phenylacetonitrile; Toluene, alpha-Cyano; USAF KF-21 |
Chemical Formula: | C8H7N |
Molecular Weight: | 117.14 |
SECTION I -- REGULATORY INFORMATION CERCLA (SARA) 1986: |
Toxicity Value Used for Listing Under Section 302: | LC50 inhalation (rat) 0.43 mg/liter/2 hours (*NIOSH/RTECS 1985) |
TPQ: | 500 (pounds) |
RQ: | 1 (pounds) (statutory, for notification under SARA Section 304(a)(2)) |
Section 313 Listed (Yes or No): | No |
SECTION II -- PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS: |
Physical State: | Liquid |
Boiling Point: | 451.4F, 233.5C (*Merck 1976) |
Specific Gravity (H2O=1): | 1.0214 at 15C (*Merck 1976) |
Vapor Pressure (mmHg): | 1 at 60C (*Sax 1979) |
Melting Point: | -10.8F, -23.8C (*Merck 1976) |
Vapor Density (Air=1): | Not Found |
Evaporation Rate (Butyl acetate=1): | Not Found |
Solubility in Water: | Insoluble (*Weast 1979) |
Appearance and Odor: | Benzyl cyanide is a colorless, oily liquid with an aromatic odor (*Hawley 1977; *Merck 1976) |
SECTION III -- HEALTH AND HAZARD DATA: |
OSHA PEL: | Not Found |
ACGIH TLV: | Not Found |
IDLH: | Not Found |
Other Limits Recommended: | Not Found |
Routes of Entry: |
Inhalation: | Yes (Sax 1984, p. 2171) |
Skin: | Yes (Hawley 1981, p. 122) |
Ingestion: | Yes (Sax 1984, p. 2171) |
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Health Hazards (Acute, Delayed, and Chronic): | Poisonous. May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes (DOT 1984, Guide 55). |
Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure: | Not Found |
SECTION IV -- FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA: |
Flash Point (Method Used): | Not Found |
Flammable Limits: |
LEL: | Not Found |
UEL: | Not Found |
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Extinguishing Methods: |
Small and Large Fires: | Small fires: dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or foam. Large fires: water spray, fog, or foam. Move container from fire area if you can do it without risk. Fight fire from maximum distance. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material (DOT 1984, Guide 55). |
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: | Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering them. Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special protective clothing. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing at the site (DOT 1984, Guide 55). |
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: | When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of cyanide and nitrogen oxides (Sax 1984, p. 2171). Container may explode in heat of fire. Runoff from fire control water may give off poisonous gases (DOT 1984, Guide 55). |
NFPA Flammability Rating: | 1 |
SECTION V -- REACTIVITY DATA: |
Stability: |
Unstable: | Not Found |
Stable: | Not Found |
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Conditions to Avoid: | Not Found |
Incompatibility (Materials to Avoid): | Sodium hypochlorite (Sax 1984, p. 2171) |
Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts: | When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of cyanide and nitrogen oxides (Sax 1984, p. 2171). |
Hazardous Polymerization: |
May Occur: | Not Found |
May Not Occur: | Not Found |
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Conditions to Avoid: | Not Found |
SECTION VI -- USE INFORMATION: |
Major Uses Include: | Organic synthesis, especially penicillin precursors (*Hawley 1977). Chemical intermediate for amphetamines, phenobarbital, the stimulant, methyl phenidylacetate, esters as perfumes and flavors (*SRI). |
SECTION VII -- PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING AND USE: |
Steps to be Taken in Case Material is Released or Spilled: | Avoid breathing vapors (see Section III above). Do not touch spilled materials; stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors. Small spills: take up with sand or other noncombustible absorbent material and place into containers for later disposal. Large spills: dike far ahead of spill for later disposal (DOT 1984, Guide 55). |
SECTION VIII -- PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS: |
Steps to be Taken in Emergency Situations: | For emergency situations, wear a positive pressure, pressure-demand, full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or pressure- demand supplied air respirator with escape SCBA and a fully-encapsulating, chemical resistant suit. See the introductory information section at the beginning of the profiles for additional information. |
SECTION IX -- EMERGENCY TREATMENT INFORMATION: |
Signs and Symptoms of Exposure: | |
Emergency and First AID Treatment: | |
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