Substance profile
Benzoyl chloride
Benzoyl chloride is a liquid with a penetrating odor.
01 · Identification
What Benzoyl chloride is
Benzoyl chloride is a liquid with a penetrating odor. Its molecular formula is C7H5ClO and its molecular weight is 140.56 g/mol. It boils at 201 °C, melts at -0.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as carcinogens.
02 · Identifiers
Benzoyl chloride identifiers and molecular data
Benzoyl chloride CAS number and EC number
Benzoyl chloride molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Benzoyl chloride hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Benzoyl chloride pictograms and signal word
Benzoyl chloride hazard class and category
| 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 1A or 1B or 1C | H314 | GHS05 |
| Skin sensitisation GHS chapter 3.4 | Category 1 or 1A or 1B | H317 | GHS07 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
Benzoyl chloride hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Benzoyl chloride. 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 Benzoyl chloride
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 Benzoyl chloride 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
Benzoyl chloride precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 16 precautionary statements to Benzoyl chloride. 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
Benzoyl chloride 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 | бензоилхлорид |
| Spanish español | Cloruro de benzoílo |
| Czech čeština | benzoylchlorid |
| Danish dansk | benzoylchlorid |
| German Deutsch | Benzoylchlorid |
| Estonian eesti | bensoüülkloriid |
| Greek ελληνικά | βενζοϋλοχλωρίδιο |
| English English | benzoyl chloride |
| French français | chlorure de benzoyle |
| Croatian hrvatski | benzoil-klorid |
| Italian italiano | cloruro di benzoile benzoile cloruro |
| Latvian latviešu | benzoilhlorīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | benzoilchloridas |
| Hungarian magyar | benzoil-klorid |
| Maltese Malti | klorur tal-benżojl |
| Dutch Nederlands | benzoylchloride |
| Polish polski | chlorek benzoilu chlorek kwasu benzoesowego |
| Portuguese português | cloreto de benzoílo |
| Romanian română | clorură de benzoil |
| Slovak slovenčina | benzoylchlorid |
| Slovenian slovenščina | benzoil klorid |
| Finnish suomi | bentsoyylikloridi |
| Swedish svenska | bensoylklorid |
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
Benzoyl chloride GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Benzoyl chloride, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Benzoyl chloride
- Harmful if inhaled.
- Harmful in contact with skin.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF INHALED:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Rinse mouth.
- Do NOT induce vomiting.
- If skin irritation or rash occurs:
- Wash with plenty of water/…
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Benzoyl chloride in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Benzoyl chloride health hazards and exposure limits
Benzoyl chloride hazard summary
Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] A lachrymator; High inhalation exposure can cause pulmonary edema; [HSDB] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] In lethal concentration studies, rats had labored breathing and histological evidence of emphysema; Hydrolyzes to produce corrosive HCl in biological systems, and this is the mechanism of toxicity; Danger of dermal sensitization; [AIHA] Slowly reacts with water forming hydrochloric acid (reacts more rapidly with steam); Short-term exposure causes second- and third-degree skin burns and severe eye injury; Vapors cause severe eye and throat irritation (and possibly eye and lung injury) and are intolerable even at low concentrations; [CHRIS] Human inhalation of 2 ppm for 1 minute causes other changes in olfaction and lungs, thorax, or respiration; [RTECS] Causes burns; A lachrymator; Inhalation may cause corrosive injuries to upper respiratory tract and lungs; May cause skin sensitization; Harmful by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption; [Alfa Aesar MSDS]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Benzoyl chloride carcinogenicity classification
Evaluation: There is limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of ... benzoyl chloride. ... There is inadequate evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of benzoyl chloride. Overall evaluation: Combined exposures to alpha-chlorinated toluenes and benzoyl chloride are probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). /alpha-Chlorinated toluenes & benzoyl chloride/
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.
Benzoyl chloride occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IDLH | 10 mg/m³ | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
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
Benzoyl chloride 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.
Benzoyl chloride boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 201 °C (393.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 197.2 °C (387 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB | |
| 197.22 °C (387 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Benzoyl chloride melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -0.5 °C (31.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| -1 °C (30.2 °F) | CAMEO |
Benzoyl chloride density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.21 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.207 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.211 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO |
Benzoyl chloride solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with ethyl ether; soluble in benzene, carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide | HSDB | |
| Decomposed by water, alcohol | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Decomposes (NTP, 1992) | decomposes | CAMEO |
Benzoyl chloride vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.4 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
| 0.375 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 0.7 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Benzoyl chloride flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 72 °C (161.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 72.22 °C (162 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 68 °C (154.4 °F) | closed cup | HSDB |
Benzoyl chloride autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 197.2 °C (387 °F) | ICSC |
Benzoyl chloride lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.2 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 2.5 % by volume | ICSC |
Benzoyl chloride upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 4.9 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 27 % by volume | ICSC |
Benzoyl chloride vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 4.88 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Benzoyl chloride corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Slow corrosion of metals | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Benzoyl chloride 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.
Benzoyl chloride fire potential
Flamable when exposed to heat or flame.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Benzoyl chloride storage and handling
Benzoyl chloride 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. Store under inert gas. Moisture sensitive. Storage class (TRGS 510): Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Benzoyl chloride incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, alcohols.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Benzoyl chloride reactivity
BENZOYL CHLORIDE reacts violently with protic solvents such as alcohols, with amines and amides (for example dimethylformamide [Bretherick 1979 p. 6] ) and with inorganic bases. Causes the violent decomposition of dimethyl sulfoxide [Chem. Eng. News 35(9): 87 1957]. May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291]. Friedel-Crafts acylation of naphthalene using benzoyl chloride, catalyzed by AlCl3, must be conducted above the melting point of the mixture, or the reaction may be violent [Clar, E. et al., Tetrahedron, 1974, 30, 3296].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Benzoyl chloride in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Benzoyl chloride UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
Benzoyl chloride under UN 1736 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENZOYL CHLORIDE | 8 | C3 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 8 is “Corrosive substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzoyl chloride | 8 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 8 is “Corrosive material” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Benzoyl chloride — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Benzoyl chloride?
The CAS number of Benzoyl chloride is 98-88-4. Its EC number is 202-710-8.
What is the chemical formula of Benzoyl chloride?
The molecular formula of Benzoyl chloride is C7H5ClO and its molecular weight is 140.56 g/mol.
What does a Benzoyl chloride label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Benzoyl chloride carries the pictograms Corrosion and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is Benzoyl chloride flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Benzoyl chloride 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 72 °C (161.6 °F) (HSDB).
Is Benzoyl chloride a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Benzoyl chloride. 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 Benzoyl chloride?
The boiling point reported for Benzoyl chloride is 201 °C (393.8 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Benzoyl chloride?
The melting point reported for Benzoyl chloride is -0.5 °C (31.1 °F) (HSDB).
How should Benzoyl chloride 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. Store under inert gas. Moisture sensitive. Storage class (TRGS 510): Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Benzoyl chloride
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