Substance profile
Quinoline
Quinoline is a colorless to brown with a penetrating odor, not as offensive as pyridine.
01 · Identification
What Quinoline is
Quinoline is a colorless to brown with a penetrating odor, not as offensive as pyridine. Its molecular formula is C9H7N and its molecular weight is 129.16 g/mol. It boils at 238 °C, melts at -14.8 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
Quinoline identifiers and molecular data
Quinoline CAS number and EC number
Quinoline molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Quinoline hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Quinoline pictograms and signal word
Quinoline 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 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 2 | H315 | GHS07 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 2A | H319 | GHS07 |
| Germ cell mutagenicity GHS chapter 3.5 | Category 2 | H341 | GHS08 |
| Carcinogenicity GHS chapter 3.6 | Category 1A or 1B | H350 | GHS08 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 2 | H411 | GHS09 |
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.
Quinoline 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>. |
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Quinoline. 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 Quinoline
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 Quinoline 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
Quinoline precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 18 precautionary statements to Quinoline. 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.
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
Quinoline 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 | хинолин |
| Spanish español | Quinolina |
| Czech čeština | chinolin |
| Danish dansk | quinolin |
| German Deutsch | Chinolin |
| Estonian eesti | kinoliin |
| Greek ελληνικά | κινολίνη |
| English English | quinoline |
| French français | quinoléine |
| Croatian hrvatski | kinolin |
| Italian italiano | chinolina |
| Latvian latviešu | hinolīns |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | chinolinas |
| Hungarian magyar | kinolin |
| Maltese Malti | kinolina |
| Dutch Nederlands | chinoline |
| Polish polski | chinolina |
| Portuguese português | quinolina |
| Romanian română | chinolină |
| Slovak slovenčina | chinolín |
| Slovenian slovenščina | kinolin |
| Finnish suomi | kinoliini |
| Swedish svenska | kinolin |
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
Quinoline GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Quinoline, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Quinoline
- May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Harmful in contact with skin.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- Causes skin irritation.
- Causes serious eye irritation.
- Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF IN EYES:
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Rinse mouth.
- If skin irritation occurs:
- If eye irritation persists:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- 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 Quinoline in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Quinoline health hazards and exposure limits
Quinoline hazard summary
Quinoline is used mainly as an intermediate in the manufacture of other products. Potential exposure to quinoline may occur from the inhalation of cigarette smoke. Quinoline breaks down quickly in the atmosphere and water. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to quinoline vapors irritates the eyes, nose, and throat and may cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea in humans. Information on the chronic (long- term), reproductive, developmental, or carcinogenic effects of quinoline in humans is not available. Liver damage has been observed in rats chronically exposed to quinoline by ingestion. An increased incidence of liver vascular tumors has been observed in rats and mice orally exposed to quinoline. EPA has provisionally classified quinoline as a Group C, possible human carcinogen
Source: EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
Quinoline carcinogenicity classification
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
Quinoline 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.
Quinoline boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 237.7 °C (459.9 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 237.78 °C (460 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 238 °C (460.4 °F) | ICSC |
Quinoline melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -14.78 °C (5.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| -15 °C (5 °F) | CAMEO |
Quinoline density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.09 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.095 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.09 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Quinoline solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, ether, and carbon disulfide | HSDB | |
| Miscible with oxygenated solvents | HSDB | ||
| More sol in hot than cold water; sol in ethanol, ethyl ether, acetone, carbon disulfide and other common organic solvents. | HSDB |
Quinoline vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.06 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 0.06 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 1 mmHg | at 59.72 °C | CAMEO |
Quinoline flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 99 °C (210.2 °F) | Closed Cup | HSDB |
| 58.89 °C (138 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 101 °C (213.8 °F) | ICSC |
Quinoline autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 480 °C (896 °F) | HSDB |
Quinoline lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.2 % by volume | CAMEO |
Quinoline upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7 % by volume | ICSC |
Quinoline vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 4.45 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 4.5 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Quinoline odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 71 PPM | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 71.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| [ICSC] Odor threshold from HSDB | Haz-Map |
Quinoline critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 509 °C (948.2 °F) | HSDB |
Quinoline corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | May attack some forms of plastic | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Quinoline 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.
Quinoline fire potential
IT IS MODERATELY FLAMMABLE BUT DOES NOT EVOLVE A FLAMMABLE CONCN OF VAPOR AT TEMP OF BELOW 99 °C.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Quinoline storage and handling
Quinoline safe storage
Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Separated from strong oxidants, acids, acid anhydrides and food and feedstuffs. Dry. Keep in the dark. Well closed. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Quinoline storage conditions
PROTECT FROM LIGHT & MOISTURE.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Quinoline incompatible materials
VIOLENT REACTION WITH DINITROGEN TETRAOXIDE; PERCHROMATES.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Quinoline reactivity
QUINOLINE is hygroscopic. It absorbs as much as 22% water. It is sensitive to light and moisture. It darkens on storage. This chemical is a weak base. A potentially explosive reaction may occur with hydrogen peroxide. It reacts violently with dinitrogen tetraoxide. It also reacts violently with perchromates. It is incompatible with (linseed oil + thionyl chloride) and maleic anhydride. It is also incompatible with strong oxidizers and strong acids. This chemical can be unpredictably violent. It dissolves sulfur, phosphorus and arsenic trioxide. It may attack some forms of plastics. It is a preparative hazard. (NTP, 1992)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Quinoline in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Quinoline 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.
Quinoline under UN 2656 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QUINOLINE | 6.1 | T1 | III | |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinoline | 6.1 | III | |
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
Quinoline — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Quinoline?
The CAS number of Quinoline is 91-22-5. Its EC number is 202-051-6.
What is the chemical formula of Quinoline?
The molecular formula of Quinoline is C9H7N and its molecular weight is 129.16 g/mol.
What does a Quinoline label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Quinoline carries the pictograms Health hazard, Exclamation mark and Environment and the signal word is Danger.
Is Quinoline flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Quinoline 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 99 °C (210.2 °F), Closed Cup (HSDB).
Is Quinoline a carcinogen?
Yes. CLP Annex VI classifies Quinoline as a category 1A or 1B carcinogen and assigns it H350: may cause cancer. IARC places it in Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans.
What is the boiling point of Quinoline?
The boiling point reported for Quinoline is 237.7 °C (459.9 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Quinoline?
The melting point reported for Quinoline is -14.78 °C (5.4 °F) (HSDB).
How should Quinoline be stored?
PROTECT FROM LIGHT & MOISTURE. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Quinoline
Keep going: substances starting with Q, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.