Provenance

Reference data from EU CLP Annex VI and published regulations — verify against your supplier's SDS before use.

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Substance profile

2,6-xylidine

2,6-xylidine is a yellow liquid with a characteristic odor.

CAS 87-62-7 C8H11N 121.18 g/mol Warning

01 · Identification

What 2,6-xylidine is

2,6-xylidine is a yellow liquid with a characteristic odor. Its molecular formula is C8H11N and its molecular weight is 121.18 g/mol. It boils at 216 °C, melts at 11.2 °C.

Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as carcinogens.

02 · Identifiers

2,6-xylidine identifiers and molecular data

2,6-xylidine CAS number and EC number

CAS number87-62-7
EC number201-758-7
Index number (CLP Annex VI)612-161-00-X

2,6-xylidine molecular formula and molecular weight

Molecular formulaC8H11N
Molecular weight121.18 g/mol
Chemical class Carcinogens

Other names for 2,6-xylidine

  • 2,6-dimethylaniline

03 · GHS classification

2,6-xylidine hazard classification

Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.

2,6-xylidine pictograms and signal word

Signal wordWarning

2,6-xylidine hazard class and category

GHS hazard classes 2,6-xylidine falls into
Hazard class Category From code Pictogram
Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 Category 4 H302 GHS07
Acute toxicity - dermal GHS chapter 3.1 Category 4 H312 GHS07
Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 Category 4 H332 GHS07
Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 Category 2 H315 GHS07
Carcinogenicity GHS chapter 3.6 Category 2 H351 GHS08
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 Category 3 H335 GHS07
Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 Category 2 H411 GHS09

2,6-xylidine hazard statements (H-codes)

Hazard statements assigned to 2,6-xylidine
CodeHazard statement
H351 Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
H332 Harmful if inhaled.
H312 Harmful in contact with skin.
H302 Harmful if swallowed.
H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
H315 Causes skin irritation.
H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

This page lists only the codes assigned to 2,6-xylidine. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.

Safety Data Sheet

Getting an SDS for 2,6-xylidine

A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of 2,6-xylidine issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.

04 · Precautionary statements

2,6-xylidine precautionary statements

CLP Annex VI assigns 18 precautionary statements to 2,6-xylidine. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.

Disposal

What has to happen to the contents and the empty container.

Reading the notation. is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.

05 · Names in the regulation

2,6-xylidine name in 23 EU languages

CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.

Language Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3
Bulgarian български 2,6-ксилидин 2,6-диметиланилин
Spanish español 2,6-Xilidina 2,6-dimetilanilina
Czech čeština 2,6-xylidin 2,6-dimethylanilin
Danish dansk 2,6-xylidin 2,6-dimethylanilin
German Deutsch 2,6-Xylidin 2,6-Dimethylanilin
Estonian eesti 2,6-ksülidiin 2,6-dimetüülaniliin
Greek ελληνικά 2,6-ξυλιδίνη 2,6-διμεθυλανιλίνη
English English 2,6-xylidine 2,6-dimethylaniline
French français 2,6-xylidine 2,6-diméthylaniline
Croatian hrvatski 2,6-ksilidin 2,6-dimetilanilin
Italian italiano 2,6-xilidina 2,6-dimetilanilina
Latvian latviešu 2,6-ksilidīns 2,6-dimetilanilīns
Lithuanian lietuvių 2,6-ksilidinas 2,6-dimetilanilinas
Hungarian magyar 2,6-xilidin 2,6-dimetilanilin
Maltese Malti 2,6-ksilidina 2,6-dimetilanilina
Dutch Nederlands 2,6-xylidine 2,6-dimethylaniline
Polish polski 2,6-ksylidina 2,6-dimetyloanilina
Portuguese português 2,6-xilidina 2,6-dimetilanilina
Romanian română 2,6-xilidină 2,6-dimetilanilină
Slovak slovenčina 2,6-xylidín 2,6-dimetylanilín
Slovenian slovenščina 2,6-ksilidin 2,6-dimetilanilin
Finnish suomi 2,6-ksylidiini 2,6-dimetyylaniliini
Swedish svenska 2,6-xylidin 2,6-dimetylanilin

All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.

06 · Label elements

2,6-xylidine GHS label elements

Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for 2,6-xylidine, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.

GHS08 Health hazard pictogramGHS07 Exclamation mark pictogramGHS09 Environment pictogram

Warning

2,6-xylidine

  • Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
  • Harmful if inhaled.
  • Harmful in contact with skin.
  • Harmful if swallowed.
  • May cause respiratory irritation.
  • Causes skin irritation.
  • Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
  • Obtain special instructions before use.
  • Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
  • Wash thoroughly after handling.
  • Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • Avoid release to the environment.
  • Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/
  • IF SWALLOWED:
  • IF ON SKIN:
  • IF INHALED:
  • IF exposed or concerned:
  • Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/ if you feel unwell.
  • Get medical advice/attention.
  • Rinse mouth.
  • If skin irritation occurs:
  • Wash with plenty of water/
  • Collect spillage.
  • Dispose of contents/container to

Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity

Need this as an actual label? Open 2,6-xylidine in the GHS label constructor →

07 · Health hazards

2,6-xylidine health hazards and exposure limits

2,6-xylidine hazard summary

The major hazards encountered in the use and handling of 2,6-xylidine stem from its toxicologic properties. Toxic by all routes (ie, inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption), exposure to this liquid may occur from its use as a chemical intermediate for the production of dyes, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. Contact with 2,6-xylidine may cause burns to the skin and eyes. Death is also a possible outcome from exposure. In activities or situations where over-exposure may occur, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus, and full chemical protective clothing which is specifically recommended by the shipper or manufacturer to prevent skin contact with xylidine. If contact should occur, immediately flush the affected skin or eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes at the site. Do not eat or smoke in xylidine work areas. While xylidine does not ignite easily, it can burn with the production of irritating or poisonous gases. Also, containers may explode violently in the heat of a fire. Fires involving xylidine may be extinguished with dry chemical, CO2, Halon, or standard foam. Water spray if used, should be applied with caution because it may cause frothing. Fight the fire from a maximum distance and dike runoff from fire control water. Xylidine should be stored away from heat, strong oxidizers, and hypochlorite bleaches. Shipping regulations and other DOT regulatory requirements should be consulted before transport. If xylidine should spill, dike far ahead, then take up with sand or other noncombustible absorbent and place into containers for later disposal. Incineration is a possible form of disposal for xylidine. Before implementing land disposal of waste 2,6-xylidine, consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance.

Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

2,6-xylidine carcinogenicity classification

IARC classification Group 2B — Possibly carcinogenic to humans
IARC monographs Volume 57: (1993) Occupational Exposures of Hairdressers and Barbers and Personal Use of Hair Colourants; Some Hair Dyes, Cosmetic Colourants, Industrial Dyestuffs and Aromatic Amines

Under the conditions of these 2-year feed studies, 2,6-xylidine was clearly carcinogenic for male and female Charles River CD rats, causing significant increases in the incidences of adenomas and carcinomas of the nasal cavity. A rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare tumor of the nasal cavity, was observed in dosed rats of each sex. In addition, the increased incidences of subcutaneous fibromas and fibrosarcomas in male and female rats and the increased incidence of neoplastic nodules of the liver in female rats may have been related to the administration of 2,6-xylidine.

Source: US National Toxicology Program · TR-278: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of 2,6-Xylidine (2,6-Dimethylaniline) (CASRN 87-62-7) in Charles River CD Rats (Feed Studies) (1990 )

Evaluation: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of 2,6-dimethylaniline. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of 2,6-dimethylaniline. Overall evaluation: 2,6-dimethylaniline is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).

Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.

2,6-xylidine occupational exposure limits

US occupational exposure limits reported for 2,6-xylidine. PEL is enforceable (OSHA), REL is a recommendation (NIOSH), IDLH is the concentration at which escape becomes impossible without injury.
Limit Value Source
IDLH 50 ppm /Xylidine/ Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.

08 · Physical and chemical properties

2,6-xylidine properties

Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.

2,6-xylidine boiling point

Property Value Conditions Source
Boiling point 216 °C (420.8 °F) HSDB
214 °C (417.2 °F) at 739 mmHg HSDB
213.89 °C (417 °F) at 739 mmHg CAMEO

2,6-xylidine melting point

Property Value Conditions Source
Melting point 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) HSDB
8.39 °C (47.1 °F) CAMEO

2,6-xylidine density

Property Value Conditions Source
Density 0.984 g/cm³ CAMEO
0.98 g/cm³ ICSC
0.9842 g/cm³ at 20 °C HSDB

2,6-xylidine solubility

Property Value Conditions Source
Solubility Very soluble in ethanol, ether HSDB
In water, 7000 mg/L at 20 °C at 20 °C HSDB
In water, 8240 ppm at 25 °C at 25 °C HSDB

2,6-xylidine vapor pressure

Property Value Conditions Source
Vapor pressure 0.15 mmHg at 20 °C ICSC
0.125 mmHg at 25 °C HSDB
1 mmHg at 44 °C CAMEO

2,6-xylidine flash point

Property Value Conditions Source
Flash point 91 °C (195.8 °F) HSDB
91.11 °C (196 °F) CAMEO

2,6-xylidine autoignition temperature

Property Value Conditions Source
Autoignition temperature 520 °C (968 °F) HSDB
405 °C (761 °F) CAMEO

2,6-xylidine lower explosive limit (LEL)

Property Value Conditions Source
Lower explosive limit (LEL) 1.3 % by volume HSDB
1.5 % by volume CAMEO

2,6-xylidine upper explosive limit (UEL)

Property Value Conditions Source
Upper explosive limit (UEL) 6.9 % by volume HSDB

2,6-xylidine vapor density

Property Value Conditions Source
Vapor density 4.2 (air = 1) HSDB
4.17 (air = 1) CAMEO

2,6-xylidine odor threshold

Property Value Conditions Source
Odor threshold Odor threshold in air= 1.00X10+12 molecules/cc Xylidines HSDB
Threshold for xylidine is 0.0240 mg/cu m Xylidines HSDB

Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.

09 · Fire and explosion

2,6-xylidine fire and explosion behaviour

These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.

2,6-xylidine fire potential

This chemical is a combustible liquid. /Xylidines/

Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

10 · Handling and storage

2,6-xylidine storage and handling

2,6-xylidine safe storage

Separated from strong oxidants, acids, acid anhydrides, acid chlorides, hypochlorites, halogens and food and feedstuffs. Well closed. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.

Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

2,6-xylidine storage conditions

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.

Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

2,6-xylidine incompatible materials

Incompatible materials: Acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, oxidizing agents, chloroformates, halogens.

Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

2,6-xylidine reactivity

2,6-XYLIDINE reacts with strong oxidizing agents [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980 p. 964]. Neutralizes acids in exothermic reactions to form salts plus water. May be incompatible with isocyanates, halogenated organics, peroxides, phenols (acidic), epoxides, anhydrides, and acid halides. Flammable gaseous hydrogen may be generated in combination with strong reducing agents, such as hydrides.

Source: CAMEO Chemicals

Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 2,6-xylidine in the storage compatibility matrix →

11 · Questions

2,6-xylidine — frequently asked questions

What is the CAS number of 2,6-xylidine?

The CAS number of 2,6-xylidine is 87-62-7. Its EC number is 201-758-7.

What is the chemical formula of 2,6-xylidine?

The molecular formula of 2,6-xylidine is C8H11N and its molecular weight is 121.18 g/mol.

What does a 2,6-xylidine label have to show?

Under CLP Annex VI the label for 2,6-xylidine carries the pictograms Health hazard, Exclamation mark and Environment and the signal word is Warning.

Is 2,6-xylidine flammable?

CLP Annex VI assigns 2,6-xylidine no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 91 °C (195.8 °F) (HSDB).

Is 2,6-xylidine a carcinogen?

CLP Annex VI assigns 2,6-xylidine H351 — suspected of causing cancer. That is category 2: the evidence points that way but is not conclusive. IARC places it in Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans.

What is the boiling point of 2,6-xylidine?

The boiling point reported for 2,6-xylidine is 216 °C (420.8 °F) (HSDB).

What is the melting point of 2,6-xylidine?

The melting point reported for 2,6-xylidine is 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) (HSDB).

How should 2,6-xylidine be stored?

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))

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