Substance profile
α-chlorotoluene
α-chlorotoluene is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a rather unpleasant, irritating odor.
01 · Identification
What α-chlorotoluene is
α-chlorotoluene is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a rather unpleasant, irritating odor. It boils at 174 °C, melts at -39.4 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
α-chlorotoluene identifiers and molecular data
α-chlorotoluene CAS number and EC number
α-chlorotoluene molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for α-chlorotoluene
- benzyl chloride
03 · GHS classification
α-chlorotoluene hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
α-chlorotoluene pictograms and signal word
α-chlorotoluene hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H331 | GHS06 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 2 | H315 | GHS07 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 1 | H318 | GHS05 |
| Carcinogenicity GHS chapter 3.6 | Category 1A or 1B | H350 | GHS08 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 | H335 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure GHS chapter 3.9 | Category 2 | H373 | GHS08 |
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.
α-chlorotoluene hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H373 | May cause 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 α-chlorotoluene. 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 α-chlorotoluene
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 α-chlorotoluene 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
α-chlorotoluene precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 19 precautionary statements to α-chlorotoluene. 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
α-chlorotoluene 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 | α-хлоротолуен бензилхлорид |
| Spanish español | α-Clorotolueno cloruro de bencilo |
| Czech čeština | α-chlortoluen benzylchlorid |
| Danish dansk | α-chlortoluen benzylchlorid |
| German Deutsch | α-Chlortoluol Benzylchlorid |
| Estonian eesti | α-klorotolueen bensüülkloriid |
| Greek ελληνικά | α-χλωροτολουόλιο βενζυλοχλωρίδιο |
| English English | α-chlorotoluene benzyl chloride |
| French français | α-chlorotoluène chlorure de benzyle |
| Croatian hrvatski | α-klorotoluen benzil-klorid |
| Italian italiano | α-clorotoluene cloruro di benzile |
| Latvian latviešu | α-hlortoluols benzilhlorīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | α-chlortoluenas benzilchloridas |
| Hungarian magyar | α-klórtoluol benzil-klorid |
| Maltese Malti | α-klorotoluwen klorur tal-benzil |
| Dutch Nederlands | α-chloortolueen benzylchloride |
| Polish polski | α-chlorotoluen (chlorometylo)benzen chlorek benzyluchloro(fenylo)metan |
| Portuguese português | α-clorotolueno cloreto de benzilo |
| Romanian română | α-clorotoluen clorură de benzil |
| Slovak slovenčina | (chlórmetyl)benzén benzylchlorid |
| Slovenian slovenščina | α-klorotoluen benzil klorid |
| Finnish suomi | bentsyylikloridi α-klooritolueeni |
| Swedish svenska | α-klortoluen bensylklorid |
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
α-chlorotoluene GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for α-chlorotoluene, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
α-chlorotoluene
- May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Toxic if inhaled.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- May cause respiratory irritation.
- May cause 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.
- 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.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF INHALED:
- IF IN EYES:
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- 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 α-chlorotoluene in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
α-chlorotoluene health hazards and exposure limits
α-chlorotoluene hazard summary
Benzyl chloride is used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of certain dyes and pharmaceutical products and as a photographic developer. The acute (short-term) effects of benzyl chloride from inhalation exposure in humans consist of severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and lung damage along with pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs). Exposure to high concentrations also causes effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Animal data indicate that long- term exposure to benzyl chloride by gavage (placing it experimentally in the stomachs of mice) increased the incidence of benign and malignant tumors at multiple sites and resulted in a significant increase in thyroid tumors in female rats. EPA has classified benzyl chloride as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen.
Source: EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
α-chlorotoluene carcinogenicity classification
Evaluation: There is limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of alpha-chlorinated toluenes and benzoyl chloride. There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of benzyl 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)
CLASSIFICATION: B2; probable human carcinogen. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: Based on inadequate human data and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals; namely significantly increased incidences of benign and malignant tumors at multiple sites in both sexes of mice and a significant increase in thyroid tumors in female rats. There was evidence of mutagenicity in a variety of test systems. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Inadequate. ANIMAL CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Sufficient.
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.
α-chlorotoluene occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 1.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 1 ppm (5 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 1 ppm (5 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 1 ppm [15 minute] | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | C 1 ppm (5 mg/m3) [15-minute] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 10 ppm (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 10.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 10 ppm | 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
α-chlorotoluene 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.
α-chlorotoluene boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 174 °C (345.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 178.89 °C (354 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 178.89 °C (354 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
α-chlorotoluene melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -39.4 °C (-38.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| -38.89 °C (-38 °F) | NIOSH |
α-chlorotoluene density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.1 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.1004 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.1 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
α-chlorotoluene solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with ethanol, ethyl ether, chloroform; slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | |
| Miscible in most organic solvents | HSDB | ||
| In water, 525 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
α-chlorotoluene vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 1 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 1 mmHg | at 22 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.23 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
α-chlorotoluene flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 67.22 °C (153 °F) | HSDB | |
| 74 °C (165.2 °F) | open cup | HSDB |
α-chlorotoluene autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 585 °C (1085 °F) | HSDB | |
| 627.22 °C (1161 °F) | CAMEO |
α-chlorotoluene lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.1 % by volume | HSDB |
α-chlorotoluene upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7.1 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 14 % by volume | HSDB |
α-chlorotoluene vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 4.36 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 4.4 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
α-chlorotoluene odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | Low: 0.235 mg/cu m, High: 1.55 mg/cu m, Irritation Level: 41 mg/cu m | from table | HSDB |
| Odor recognition in air= 4.7x10-2 ppm | chemically pure | HSDB |
α-chlorotoluene critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 411.11 °C (772 °F) | HSDB |
α-chlorotoluene corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to metal ... . | HSDB | |
| Corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
α-chlorotoluene 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.
α-chlorotoluene fire potential
Combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Odor
Human volunteers exposed to benzyl chloride vapor for a single breath reported that the odor was perceptible at 8 ppm (42 mg/cu m), very unpleasant at 17 ppm (88 mg/cu m), painfully strong at 37 ppm (190 mg/cu m), and intolerable at 79 ppm (410 mg/cu m)
Source: HSDB
10 · Handling and storage
α-chlorotoluene storage and handling
α-chlorotoluene safe storage
Separated from food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Dry. Ventilation along the floor. Store only if stabilized.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
α-chlorotoluene storage conditions
Separated from food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials . Ventilation along the floor. Store only if stabilized.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
α-chlorotoluene incompatible materials
Will react with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes /HCl and chlorine gas/; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
α-chlorotoluene reactivity
Halogenated aliphatic compounds, such as BENZYL CHLORIDE, are moderately or very reactive. Halogenated organics generally become less reactive as more of their hydrogen atoms are replaced with halogen atoms. Materials in this group are incompatible with strong oxidizing and reducing agents. Also, they are incompatible with many amines, nitrides, azo/diazo compounds, alkali metals, and epoxides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check α-chlorotoluene in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
α-chlorotoluene 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.
α-chlorotoluene under UN 1738 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENZYL CHLORIDE | 6.1 | TC1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzyl chloride | 6.1 | II | |
| Benzyl chloride unstabilized | 6.1 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
α-chlorotoluene — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of α-chlorotoluene?
The CAS number of α-chlorotoluene is 100-44-7. Its EC number is 202-853-6.
What does a α-chlorotoluene label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for α-chlorotoluene carries the pictograms Skull and crossbones, Health hazard and Corrosion and the signal word is Danger.
Is α-chlorotoluene flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns α-chlorotoluene 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 67.22 °C (153 °F) (HSDB).
Is α-chlorotoluene a carcinogen?
Yes. CLP Annex VI classifies α-chlorotoluene as a category 1A or 1B carcinogen and assigns it H350: may cause cancer.
What is the exposure limit for α-chlorotoluene?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for α-chlorotoluene is 1.0 [ppm] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of α-chlorotoluene?
The boiling point reported for α-chlorotoluene is 174 °C (345.2 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of α-chlorotoluene?
The melting point reported for α-chlorotoluene is -39.4 °C (-38.9 °F) (HSDB).
How should α-chlorotoluene be stored?
Separated from food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials . Ventilation along the floor. Store only if stabilized. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to α-chlorotoluene
Keep going: substances starting with 0–9, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.