Substance profile
α,α-dichlorotoluene
α,α-dichlorotoluene is a colorless oily liquid with a pungent odor.
01 · Identification
What α,α-dichlorotoluene is
α,α-dichlorotoluene is a colorless oily liquid with a pungent odor. Its molecular formula is C7H6Cl2 and its molecular weight is 161.03 g/mol. It boils at 205 °C, melts at -16.4 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as carcinogens.
02 · Identifiers
α,α-dichlorotoluene identifiers and molecular data
α,α-dichlorotoluene CAS number and EC number
α,α-dichlorotoluene molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for α,α-dichlorotoluene
- benzylidene chloride
- benzal chloride
03 · GHS classification
α,α-dichlorotoluene hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
α,α-dichlorotoluene pictograms and signal word
α,α-dichlorotoluene 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 2 | H351 | GHS08 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 | H335 | GHS07 |
α,α-dichlorotoluene hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H351 | Suspected of causing 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. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to α,α-dichlorotoluene. 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,α-dichlorotoluene
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,α-dichlorotoluene 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,α-dichlorotoluene precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 18 precautionary statements to α,α-dichlorotoluene. 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,α-dichlorotoluene 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, α-дихлоротолуен бензилиденхлоридбензалхлорид |
| Spanish español | α, α-Diclorotolueno cloruro de bencilidenodiclorometilbenceno |
| Czech čeština | (dichlormethyl)benzen benzylidenchloridbenzalchlorid |
| Danish dansk | α, α-dichlortoluen benzylidendichloridbenzalchlorid |
| German Deutsch | α, α-Dichlortoluol BenzylidenchloridBenzalchlorid |
| Estonian eesti | α, α-diklorotolueen bensülideenkloriidbensaalkloriid |
| Greek ελληνικά | α, α-διχλωροτολουόλιο βενζυλιδενοχλωρίδιοχλωρίδιο βενζάλης |
| English English | α, α-dichlorotoluene benzylidene chloridebenzal chloride |
| French français | α, α-dichlorotoluène chlorure de benzylidènechlorure de benzal |
| Croatian hrvatski | α, α-diklortoluen benziliden-kloridbenzal-klorid |
| Italian italiano | α, α-diclorotoluene cloruro di benzilidene cloruro di benzale |
| Latvian latviešu | α, α-dihlortoluols benzilidēnhlorīdsbenzalhlorīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | α, α-dichlortoluenas benzilidenchloridasbenzalchloridas |
| Hungarian magyar | α, α-diklórtoluol benzilidén-kloridbenzálklorid |
| Maltese Malti | α, α-diklorotoluwen klorur tal-benżilidenklorur tal-benżal |
| Dutch Nederlands | α, α-dichloortolueen benzylideenchloridebenzalchloride |
| Polish polski | α, α-dichlorotoluen chlorek benzylidenu(dichlorometylo)benzen |
| Portuguese português | α, α-diclorotolueno cloreto de benzilidenodicloreto de benzilo |
| Romanian română | α, α-diclorotoluen clorură de benzilidenclorură de benzal |
| Slovak slovenčina | (dichlórmetyl)benzén benzylidéndichlorid |
| Slovenian slovenščina | α, α-diklorotoluen benziliden kloridbenzal klorid |
| Finnish suomi | bentsylideenikloridi bentsaalikloridiα, α-diklooritolueeni |
| Swedish svenska | α, α-diklortoluen bensylidenkloridbensalklorid |
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,α-dichlorotoluene GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for α,α-dichlorotoluene, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
α,α-dichlorotoluene
- Suspected of causing 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.
- 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.
- 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,α-dichlorotoluene in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
α,α-dichlorotoluene health hazards and exposure limits
α,α-dichlorotoluene hazard summary
A severe skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] Strong lachrymator; [HSDB] An irritant; Harmful if swallowed; Toxic by inhalation; May cause serious eye damage; Causes general anesthesia in animal experiments; [MSDSonline]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
α,α-dichlorotoluene carcinogenicity classification
Evaluation: There is limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of alpha-chlorinated toluenes and benzoyl chloride. ... There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of benzal 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.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
α,α-dichlorotoluene 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,α-dichlorotoluene boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 205 °C (401 °F) | HSDB | |
| 205 °C (401 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
α,α-dichlorotoluene melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -16.4 °C (2.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| -17 °C (1.4 °F) | ICSC |
α,α-dichlorotoluene density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.26 g/cm³ | HSDB |
α,α-dichlorotoluene solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | INSOL IN WATER | HSDB | |
| SOL IN DILUTE ALKALI | HSDB | ||
| > 10% in ethanol | HSDB |
α,α-dichlorotoluene vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.75 mmHg | at 31 °C | DOE PAC |
| 1 mmHg | at 35.4 °C | HSDB |
α,α-dichlorotoluene flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 92.22 °C (198 °F) | CAMEO | |
| 93 °C (199.4 °F) | ICSC |
α,α-dichlorotoluene autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 525 °C (977 °F) | ICSC |
α,α-dichlorotoluene lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.1 % by volume | ICSC | |
| This material may burn but will not ignite easily. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO |
α,α-dichlorotoluene upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 11 % by volume | ICSC | |
| This material may burn but will not ignite easily. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO |
α,α-dichlorotoluene vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 5.6 (air = 1) | technical grade | CAMEO |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
α,α-dichlorotoluene 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,α-dichlorotoluene fire potential
Combustible.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
α,α-dichlorotoluene storage and handling
α,α-dichlorotoluene safe storage
Separated from food and feedstuffs. See Chemical Dangers. Ventilation along the floor.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
α,α-dichlorotoluene incompatible materials
... REACTS WITH WATER TO RELEASE HYDROCHLORIC ACID.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
α,α-dichlorotoluene reactivity
BENZYLIDENE CHLORIDE is incompatible with strong oxidizers and strong bases. It readily hydrolyzes under acid or alkaline conditions. It reacts with metals (except nickel and lead). (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check α,α-dichlorotoluene in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
α,α-dichlorotoluene 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,α-dichlorotoluene under UN 1886 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENZYLIDENE CHLORIDE | 6.1 | T1 | 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzylidene chloride | 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,α-dichlorotoluene — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of α,α-dichlorotoluene?
The CAS number of α,α-dichlorotoluene is 98-87-3. Its EC number is 202-709-2.
What is the chemical formula of α,α-dichlorotoluene?
The molecular formula of α,α-dichlorotoluene is C7H6Cl2 and its molecular weight is 161.03 g/mol.
What does a α,α-dichlorotoluene label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for α,α-dichlorotoluene carries the pictograms Skull and crossbones, Health hazard and Corrosion and the signal word is Danger.
Is α,α-dichlorotoluene flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns α,α-dichlorotoluene 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 92.22 °C (198 °F) (CAMEO).
Is α,α-dichlorotoluene a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI assigns α,α-dichlorotoluene H351 — suspected of causing cancer. That is category 2: the evidence points that way but is not conclusive.
What is the boiling point of α,α-dichlorotoluene?
The boiling point reported for α,α-dichlorotoluene is 205 °C (401 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of α,α-dichlorotoluene?
The melting point reported for α,α-dichlorotoluene is -16.4 °C (2.5 °F) (HSDB).
Nearby
Substances next to α,α-dichlorotoluene
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