Substance profile
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene is a clear, colorless to yellowish liquid with a PENETRATING odor.
01 · Identification
What α,α,α-trichlorotoluene is
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene is a clear, colorless to yellowish liquid with a PENETRATING odor. Its molecular formula is C7H5Cl3 and its molecular weight is 195.5 g/mol. It boils at 221 °C, melts at -5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · Identifiers
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene identifiers and molecular data
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene CAS number and EC number
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for α,α,α-trichlorotoluene
- benzotrichloride
03 · GHS classification
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene pictograms and signal word
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene 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 |
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,α,α-trichlorotoluene 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. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to α,α,α-trichlorotoluene. 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,α-trichlorotoluene
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,α-trichlorotoluene 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,α-trichlorotoluene precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 18 precautionary statements to α,α,α-trichlorotoluene. 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,α-trichlorotoluene 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,α-трихлоротолуен бензотрихлорид |
| Spanish español | α, α,α-Triclorotolueno triclorometilbenceno |
| Czech čeština | (trichlormethyl)benzen benzotrichlorid |
| Danish dansk | α, α,α-trichlortoluen trichlormethylbenzen |
| German Deutsch | α, α,α-Trichlortoluol BenzotrichloridTrichlormethylbenzol |
| Estonian eesti | α, α,α-triklorotolueen bensotrikloriid |
| Greek ελληνικά | α, α,α-τριχλωροτολουόλιο βενζοτριχλωρίδιο |
| English English | α, α, α-trichlorotoluene benzotrichloride |
| French français | α, α, α-trichlorotoluène benzotrichlorure |
| Croatian hrvatski | α, α,α-triklortoluen benzotriklorid |
| Italian italiano | α, α, α-triclorotoluene benzotricloruro |
| Latvian latviešu | α, α, α-trihlortoluols benzotrihlorīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | α, α, α-trichlortoluenas benzotrichloridas |
| Hungarian magyar | α, α, α-triklórtoluol benzotriklorid |
| Maltese Malti | α, α, α-triklorotoluwen benżotriklorur |
| Dutch Nederlands | α, α,α-trichloortolueen benzotrichloride |
| Polish polski | α, α,α-trichlorotoluen (trichlorometylo)benzenfenylochloroform |
| Portuguese português | α, α,α-triclorotolueno tricloreto de benzilo |
| Romanian română | α, α, α-triclorotoluen benzotriclorură |
| Slovak slovenčina | (trichlórmetyl)benzén benzotrichlorid |
| Slovenian slovenščina | α, α, α-triklorotoluen benzotriklorid |
| Finnish suomi | bentsotrikloridi α, α,α-triklooritolueeni |
| Swedish svenska | α, α,α-triklortoluen bensotriklorid |
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,α-trichlorotoluene GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for α,α,α-trichlorotoluene, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene
- 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.
- 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,α-trichlorotoluene in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene health hazards and exposure limits
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene hazard summary
Benzotrichloride is used extensively in the dye industry and as an intermediate in the chemical industry. Acute (short-term) exposure to the vapors of benzotrichloride are highly irritating to the skin and mucous membranes. In mice and rats chronically (long-term) exposed by inhalation, proliferative lesions of the respiratory tract have been observed. Human data on the carcinogenic effects of benzotrichloride are inadequate. Increased incidences of tumors at multiple sites have been observed in female mice treated orally, dermally, and by inhalation. EPA has classified benzotrichloride as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen.
Source: EPA Hazardous Air Pollutants
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene 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 benzotrichloride. ... 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 one strain of female mice treated orally, dermally, and by inhalation. There is also 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.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene 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,α-trichlorotoluene boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 220.8 °C (429.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 220.78 °C (429.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 221 °C (429.8 °F) | ICSC |
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -5 °C (23 °F) | HSDB |
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.4 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.3756 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB |
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | ... Soluble in ... diethyl ether ... . | HSDB | |
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | ||
| Decomposes (NTP, 1992) | decomposes | CAMEO |
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 10 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 0.15 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 0.4137 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 126.67 °C (260 °F) | HSDB | |
| 108 °C (226.4 °F) | ICSC |
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 211.11 °C (412 °F) | HSDB | |
| 211 °C (411.8 °F) | ICSC |
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 6.77 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 6.8 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Handling and storage
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene storage and handling
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene safe storage
Separated from food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Dry. Well closed. Ventilation along the floor.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene storage conditions
Keep containers closed. Store in dry, cool, dark place.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene incompatible materials
Dangerous; ... on contact with acids or acid fumes, they evolve highly toxic chloride fumes. /Chlorides/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene reactivity
BENZOTRICHLORIDE hydrolyzes in the presence of moisture. It reacts with water, lime, ammonia, strong alkalis, organic amines, chlorates and acids. (NTP, 1992)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check α,α,α-trichlorotoluene in the storage compatibility matrix →
10 · Transport
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene 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,α-trichlorotoluene under UN 2226 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BENZOTRICHLORIDE | 8 | C9 | 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benzotrichloride | 8 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 8 is “Corrosive material” (49 CFR 173.2).
11 · Questions
α,α,α-trichlorotoluene — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of α,α,α-trichlorotoluene?
The CAS number of α,α,α-trichlorotoluene is 98-07-7. Its EC number is 202-634-5.
What is the chemical formula of α,α,α-trichlorotoluene?
The molecular formula of α,α,α-trichlorotoluene is C7H5Cl3 and its molecular weight is 195.5 g/mol.
What does a α,α,α-trichlorotoluene label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for α,α,α-trichlorotoluene carries the pictograms Skull and crossbones, Health hazard and Corrosion and the signal word is Danger.
Is α,α,α-trichlorotoluene flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns α,α,α-trichlorotoluene 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 126.67 °C (260 °F) (HSDB).
Is α,α,α-trichlorotoluene a carcinogen?
Yes. CLP Annex VI classifies α,α,α-trichlorotoluene as a category 1A or 1B carcinogen and assigns it H350: may cause cancer.
What is the boiling point of α,α,α-trichlorotoluene?
The boiling point reported for α,α,α-trichlorotoluene is 220.8 °C (429.4 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of α,α,α-trichlorotoluene?
The melting point reported for α,α,α-trichlorotoluene is -5 °C (23 °F) (HSDB).
How should α,α,α-trichlorotoluene be stored?
Keep containers closed. Store in dry, cool, dark place. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
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