General Description
Colorless crystals or clear, dark amber liquid.
Reactivity Profile
2,4-DIMETHYLPHENOL(105-67-9) is a very weak acid (pKa = 10.6) . Incompatible with acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, bases and oxidizing agents. Corrodes steel, brass, copper and copper alloys .
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
This chemical is probably combustible.
Chemical Properties
clear colorless to yellow liquid
Physical properties
Colorless solid, slowly turning brown on exposure to air
Uses
Disinfectant; manufacture of pharmaceuticals,
plastics, insecticides, fungicides,
rubber chemicals, wetting agents, dyestuffs
Uses
It is used as a perfuming agent in cosmetic industry. Also used in the production of high-viscosity phosphate esters, as a feedstock for hindered phenol antioxidant and specialty modified phenolic resin manufacture.
Uses
Wetting agent; dyestuffs; preparation of phenolic antioxidants; plastics, resins, solvent,
disinfectant, pharmaceuticals, insecticides, fungicides, and rubber chemicals manufacturing;
lubricant and gasoline additive; possibly used as a pesticide; plasticizers.
Definition
ChEBI: 2,4-xylenol is a member of the class of phenols that phenol substituted by methyl groups at positions 2 and 4. It has a role as a disinfectant and a volatile oil component. It is a member of phenols and an aromatic fungicide. It derives from a hydride of a m-xylene.
Preparation
synthesis of 2,4-dimethylphenol: 2,4-Dimethylphenol is obtained by sulfonation, salting out, alkali melting and acidification of m-xylene.
Health Hazard
2,4-Dimethylphenol is expected
to be an irritant of the eyes, mucous membranes,
and skin, by analogy to other phenols.
The oral LD50 for rats was 3.2 g/kg; the
dermal LD50 in mice was 1.04 g/kg.
Potential Exposure
AgriculturalChemical; Tumorigen, Drug. 2,4-DMP finds use commercially as an important chemical feedstock or constituent forthe manufacture of a wide range of commercial productsfor industry and agriculture. 2,4-Dimethylphenol is used inthe manufacture of phenolic antioxidants, disinfectants, solvents, pharmaceuticals, insecticides, fungicides, plasticizers,rubber chemicals, polyphenylene oxide wetting agents, anddyestuffs; and is an additive or constituent of lubricants,gasolines, and cresylic acid. 2,4-Dimethylphenol (2,4-DMP)is a naturally occurring substituted phenol derived from thecresol fraction of petroleum or coal tars by fractional distillation and extraction with aqueous alkaline solutions. It isthe cresylic acid or tar acid fraction of coal tar. Workersinvolved in the fractionation and distillation of petroleum orcoal, and coal tar products comprise one group at risk.Workers who are intermittently exposed to certain commercial degreasing agents containing cresol may also be at risk.Cigarette and marijuana smoking groups and those exposedto cigarette smoke inhale microgram quantities of 2,4-demthylphenol.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. If convulsions are not present, give a glass ortwo of water or milk to dilute the substance. Assure that theperson’s airway is unobstructed and contact a hospital orpoison center immediately for advice on whether or not toinduce vomiting
Carcinogenicity
2,4-Dimethylphenol was tested for mutagenicity
in the Salmonella microsome preincubation
assay using the standard protocol of the
National Toxicology Program and five strains
of Salmonella; results were negative.
The ACGIH has not established a threshold
limit value (TLV) for 2,4-dimethylphenol.
Source
Thomas and Delfino (1991) equilibrated contaminant-free groundwater collected from Gainesville, FL with individual fractions of three individual petroleum products at 24–25 °C for
24 h. The aqueous phase was analyzed for organic compounds via U.S. EPA approved test method
625. Average 2,4-dimethylphenol concentrations reported in water-soluble fractions of unleaded
gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel were 50, 99, and 108 μg/L, respectively. 2,4-Dichlorophenol
may also enter groundwater by leaching from coal tar, asphalt runoff, plastics, and pesticides
(quoted, Verschueren, 1983).
Environmental Fate
Biological. When 2,4-dimethylphenol was statically incubated in the dark at 25 °C with yeast
extract and settled domestic wastewater inoculum, significant biodegradation with rapid
adaptation was observed. At concentrations of 5 and 10 mg/L, 100 and 99% biodegradation,
respectively, were observed after 7 d (Tabak et al., 1981).
Photolytic. 2,4-Dimethylphenol absorbs UV light at a maximum wavelength of 277 nm
(Dohnal and Fenclová, 1995).
Chemical/Physical. Wet oxidation of 2,4-dimethylphenol at 320 °C yielded formic and acetic
acids (Randall and Knopp, 1980). 2,4-Dimethylphenol will not hydrolyze because there is no
hydrolyzable functional group (Kollig, 1993).
storage
Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working with thischemical you should be trained on its proper handling andstorage. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, wellventilated area away from oxidizers and sources of ignition
Shipping
This compound requires a shipping label of“POISONOUS/TOXIC MATERIALS” for xylenols. It fallsin Hazard Class 6.1 and Packing Group II.
Toxics Screening Level
The initial threshold screening level (ITSL) for 2,4-dimethylphenol is 70 μg/m3 based on an annual averaging time.
