Substance profile
Benzoic Acid
Benzoic Acid is monoclinic tablets, plates, leaflets and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Benzoic Acid is
Benzoic Acid is monoclinic tablets, plates, leaflets and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C7H6O2 and its molecular weight is 122.12 g/mol. It boils at 249 °C, melts at 122 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · Identifiers
Benzoic Acid identifiers and molecular data
Benzoic Acid CAS number and EC number
Benzoic Acid molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Benzoic Acid hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Benzoic Acid pictograms and signal word
Benzoic Acid hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 2 | H315 | GHS07 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 1 | H318 | GHS05 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure GHS chapter 3.9 | Category 1 | H372 | GHS08 |
Benzoic Acid hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H372 | Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Benzoic Acid. 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 Benzoic Acid
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 Benzoic Acid 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
Benzoic Acid precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 12 precautionary statements to Benzoic Acid. 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.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
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
Benzoic Acid 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 | бензоена киселина |
| Spanish español | Ácido benzoico |
| Czech čeština | benzoová kyselina |
| Danish dansk | benzoesyre |
| German Deutsch | Benzoesäure |
| Estonian eesti | bensoehape |
| Greek ελληνικά | βενζοϊκό οξύ |
| English English | benzoic acid |
| French français | acide benzoïque |
| Croatian hrvatski | benzojeva kiselina |
| Italian italiano | acido benzoico |
| Latvian latviešu | benzoskābe |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | benzenkarboksirūgštis |
| Hungarian magyar | benzoesav |
| Maltese Malti | aċidu benżojku |
| Dutch Nederlands | benzoëzuur |
| Polish polski | kwas benzoesowy |
| Portuguese português | ácido benzóico |
| Romanian română | acid benzoic |
| Slovak slovenčina | kyselina benzoová |
| Slovenian slovenščina | benzojska kislina |
| Finnish suomi | bentsoehappo |
| Swedish svenska | bensoesyra |
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
Benzoic Acid GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Benzoic Acid, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Benzoic Acid
- Causes damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Causes skin irritation.
- Causes serious eye damage.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF IN EYES:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
- If skin irritation occurs:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Benzoic Acid in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Benzoic Acid health hazards and exposure limits
Benzoic Acid carcinogenicity classification
Cancer Classification: Group D Not Classifiable as to Human Carcinogenicity
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
CLASSIFICATION: D; not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: No human data and inadequate data from animal bioassays. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA: None. ANIMAL CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Inadequate.
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.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Benzoic Acid 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.
Benzoic Acid boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 249.2 °C (480.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 248.89 °C (480 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 249 °C (480.2 °F) | ICSC |
Benzoic Acid melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 122.35 °C (252.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 122.39 °C (252.3 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 122 °C (251.6 °F) | ICSC |
Benzoic Acid density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.3 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.316 g/cm³ | at 24 °C, solid | HSDB | |
| 1.316 g/cm³ | at 28 °C | CAMEO |
Benzoic Acid solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Monomer & dimer models for solubility of benzoic acid in simple binary and ternary solvents are reported. | HSDB | |
| In water, 3.5X10+3 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Benzoic Acid vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.0007 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 0.0007501 mmHg | at 25 °C | ICSC | |
| 1 mmHg | at 96.11 °C | CAMEO |
Benzoic Acid flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 121.11 °C (250 °F) | HSDB | |
| 121 °C (249.8 °F) | ICSC |
Benzoic Acid autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 570 °C (1058 °F) | HSDB | |
| 572.78 °C (1063 °F) | CAMEO |
Benzoic Acid vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 4.21 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 4.2 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Benzoic Acid critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 479 °C (894.2 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Benzoic Acid 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.
Benzoic Acid fire potential
Slight, when exposed to heat or flame...
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Fire and explosion
Vapor may explode if ignited in an enclosed area. Behavior in fire: vapor from molten benzoic acid may form explosive mixt with air. Concn dust may form explosive mixture.
Source: HSDB
Ignition of a pelleted sample /of benzoic acid/ in a /oxygen/ bomb with a faulty closure valve led to sudden venting of combustion gases which blew off the insulating cover and thermometer.
Source: HSDB
Solubility
1 g dissolves in: 2.3 mL alcohol (cold), 1.5 mL alcohol (boiling), 4.5 mL chloroform, 3 mL ether, 3 mL acetone, 30 mL carbon tetrachloride,10 mL benzene, 30 mL carbon disulfide, 23 mL oil of turpentine. Also soluble in volatile and fixed oils; slightly soluble in petroleum ether
Source: HSDB
10 · Handling and storage
Benzoic Acid storage and handling
Benzoic Acid safe storage
Store only in original container. Separated from incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Fireproof. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Benzoic Acid storage conditions
The bulk material should be stored in well-closed container in a cool dry place.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Benzoic Acid incompatible materials
Undergoes typical reactions of an organic acid, e.g. with alkalis or heavy metals. Preservative activity may be reduced by interaction with kaolin.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Benzoic Acid reactivity
At high temperature BENZOIC ACID can react with oxidizing reagents.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Benzoic Acid in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Benzoic Acid — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Benzoic Acid?
The CAS number of Benzoic Acid is 65-85-0. Its EC number is 200-618-2.
What is the chemical formula of Benzoic Acid?
The molecular formula of Benzoic Acid is C7H6O2 and its molecular weight is 122.12 g/mol.
What does a Benzoic Acid label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Benzoic Acid carries the pictograms Health hazard and Corrosion and the signal word is Danger.
Is Benzoic Acid flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Benzoic Acid 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 121.11 °C (250 °F) (HSDB).
Is Benzoic Acid a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Benzoic Acid. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the boiling point of Benzoic Acid?
The boiling point reported for Benzoic Acid is 249.2 °C (480.6 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Benzoic Acid?
The melting point reported for Benzoic Acid is 122.35 °C (252.2 °F) (HSDB).
How should Benzoic Acid be stored?
The bulk material should be stored in well-closed container in a cool dry place. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Benzoic Acid
Keep going: substances starting with B, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.