Substance profile
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate is needles from alcohol; tablets from ethanol and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Tri-p-cresyl phosphate is
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate is needles from alcohol; tablets from ethanol and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C21H21O4P and its molecular weight is 368.4 g/mol. It boils at 420 °C, melts at 77.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
02 · Identifiers
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate identifiers and molecular data
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate CAS number and EC number
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Tri-p-cresyl phosphate
- tricresyl phosphate (m-m-m-, m-m-p-, m-p-p-, p-p-p-)
- tritolyl phosphate (m-m-m-, m-m-p-, m-p-p-, p-p-p-)
03 · GHS classification
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate pictograms and signal word
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate 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 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 2 | H411 | GHS09 |
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Tri-p-cresyl phosphate. 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 Tri-p-cresyl phosphate
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 Tri-p-cresyl phosphate 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
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 10 precautionary statements to Tri-p-cresyl phosphate. 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
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate 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 | трикрезилов фосфат ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) тритолилов фосфат ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Spanish español | Fosfato de tricresilo ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) fosfato de tritolilo ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Czech čeština | trikresyl-fosfát ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolyl-fosfát ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Danish dansk | tricresylphosphater ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolylphosphater ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| German Deutsch | Trikresylphosphat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) Tritolylphosphat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Estonian eesti | trikresüülfosfaat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolüülfosfaat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Greek ελληνικά | φωσφορικός τρικρεσυλεστέρας ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) φωσφορικός τριτολυλεστέρας ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| English English | tricresyl phosphate ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolyl phosphate ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| French français | phosphate de tricrésyle ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) phosphate de tritolyle ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Croatian hrvatski | trikrezil-fosfat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolil-fosfat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Italian italiano | tricresilfosfato ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolilfosfato ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Latvian latviešu | trikrezilfosfāts ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolilfosfāts ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | trikrezilfosfatas ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolilfosfatas ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Hungarian magyar | trikrezil-foszfát ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolil-foszfát ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Maltese Malti | fosfat tat-trikreżil ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) fosfat tat-tritolil ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Dutch Nederlands | tricresylfosfaat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p- ) tritolylfosfaat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p- ) |
| Polish polski | fosforan trikrezylu ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) fosforan(V) tritolilu ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Portuguese português | fosfato de tricresilo ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) fosfato de tritolilo ( m-m-m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Romanian română | fosfat de tricresil ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) fosfat de tritolil ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Slovak slovenčina | trikrezyl-fosfát (m-,m-,m-; m-,m-,p-; m-,p-,p-; p-,p-,p-) tritolyl-fosfát ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Slovenian slovenščina | trikrezil fosfat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolil fosfat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
| Finnish suomi | trikresyylifosfaatti tritolyylifosfaattim-m-m, m-m-p, m-p-p, p-p-p |
| Swedish svenska | trikresylfosfat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) tritolylfosfat ( m - m - m- , m - m - p- , m - p - p- , p - p - p-) |
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
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Tri-p-cresyl phosphate, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Warning
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate
- Harmful in contact with skin.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- 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:
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- 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 Tri-p-cresyl phosphate in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate health hazards and exposure limits
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate carcinogenicity classification
Under the conditions of these 2-year feed studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of tricresyl phosphate in male or female F344/N rats that received 75, 150, or 300 ppm. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of tricresyl phosphate in male or female B6C3F1 mice that received 60, 125, or 250 ppm.
Source: US National Toxicology Program · TR-433: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Tricresyl Phosphate (CASRN 1330-78-5) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage and Feed Studies) (1994 )
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.
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IDLH | 40 mg/m3 [From NPG: Triorthocresyl phosphate] (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
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
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate 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.
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 420 °C (788 °F) | HSDB | |
| 410 °C (770 °F) | decomposes, at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 224 °C (435.2 °F) | at 35 mmHg (reduced pressure) | HSDB |
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 77.5 °C (171.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| 25 °C (77 °F) | ISOMERIC MIXT | HSDB | |
| -35 °C (-31 °F) | crystallizing point | HSDB |
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.162 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.1623 g/cm³ | HSDB | ||
| 1.247 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, ethyl ether, benzene, chloroform. | HSDB | |
| In water, 0.074 mg/L at 24 °C | at 24 °C, Practical grade | HSDB | |
| Water solubility: 0.1 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C, Isomeric mixture | HSDB |
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 6e-7 mmHg | HSDB | |
| 0.0000017 mmHg | at 25 °C | CAMEO | |
| 3e-8 mmHg | Haz-Map |
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 210 °C (410 °F) | HSDB | |
| 225 °C (437 °F) | CAMEO |
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 410 °C (770 °F) | HSDB | |
| 385 °C (725 °F) | CAMEO |
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 12.7 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Handling and storage
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate storage and handling
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate storage conditions
Tricresyl phosphates should be stored in a cool, well ventilated area, protected from direct sunlight and away from open flames. Containers should be made of galvanized steel; these should be effectively sealed and their contents clearly marked. Tricresyl phosphates should not be used in plastic articles which are likely to come into contact with foodstuffs or clothing. /Tricresyl phosphates/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate reactivity
Organophosphates, such as TRI-P-TOLYL PHOSPHATE, are susceptible to formation of highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas in the presence of strong reducing agents such as hydrides. Partial oxidation by oxidizing agents may result in the release of toxic phosphorus oxides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Tri-p-cresyl phosphate in the storage compatibility matrix →
10 · Transport
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate 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.
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate under UN 2574 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRICRESYL PHOSPHATE with more than 3 % ortho isomer | 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tricresyl phosphate with more than 3 percent ortho isomer | 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).
11 · Questions
Tri-p-cresyl phosphate — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Tri-p-cresyl phosphate?
The CAS number of Tri-p-cresyl phosphate is 78-32-0. Its EC number is 201-105-6.
What is the chemical formula of Tri-p-cresyl phosphate?
The molecular formula of Tri-p-cresyl phosphate is C21H21O4P and its molecular weight is 368.4 g/mol.
What does a Tri-p-cresyl phosphate label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Tri-p-cresyl phosphate carries the pictograms Exclamation mark and Environment and the signal word is Warning.
Is Tri-p-cresyl phosphate flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns Tri-p-cresyl phosphate 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 210 °C (410 °F) (HSDB).
Is Tri-p-cresyl phosphate a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Tri-p-cresyl phosphate. 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 Tri-p-cresyl phosphate?
The boiling point reported for Tri-p-cresyl phosphate is 420 °C (788 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Tri-p-cresyl phosphate?
The melting point reported for Tri-p-cresyl phosphate is 77.5 °C (171.5 °F) (HSDB).
How should Tri-p-cresyl phosphate be stored?
Tricresyl phosphates should be stored in a cool, well ventilated area, protected from direct sunlight and away from open flames. Containers should be made of galvanized steel; these should be effectively sealed and their contents clearly marked. Tricresyl phosphates should not be used in plastic articles which are likely to come into contact with foodstuffs or clothing. /Tricresyl phosphates/ (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
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