General Description
Colorless to off-white crystalline solid. Odor threshold 1 ppm. Taste threshold 0.001 mg/L.
Reactivity Profile
3,5-DIMETHYLPHENOL(108-68-9) is incompatible with bases, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, and oxidizing agents. 3,5-DIMETHYLPHENOL(108-68-9) corrodes steel, brass, copper, and copper alloys.
Air & Water Reactions
This chemical is hygroscopic. Insoluble in water.
Potential Exposure
3,5-Xylenol is used as an antioxidant,
solvent, plasticizer, wetting agent; and in pharmaceuticals.
Xylenols are also used in pesticides, fuel, and lubricant
additives; as a rubber chemical; in dyestuff manufacture.
There are actually six xylenol isomers.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data for this chemical are not available. 3,5-DIMETHYLPHENOL is probably combustible.
First aid
Get medical attention at once following exposure
to this com pound. Inhalation: Remove patient immediately
to fresh air; irritation of nose or throat may be somewhat
relieved by spraying or gargling with water until all odor
is gone; 100% oxygen inhalation is indicated for cyanosis
or respiratory distress; keep patient warm, but not hot.
Eyes: Flood with running water for 15 minutes; if physician
is not immediately available, continue irrigation for another
15 minutes; 2-3 drops of 0.5% pontocaine or equivalent
may be instilled after first 15 minutes; do not use oils or
oily ointments unless ordered by physician.
Skin: Wash affected areas with large quantities of water or
soapy water until all odor is gone; then wash with alcohol
or 20% glycerin solution and more water; keep patient
warm, but not hot; cover chemical burns continuously with
compresses wet with saturated solution of sodium thiosulfate;
apply no salves or ointments for 24 hours after injury.
Ingestion: Give large quantities of liquid (salt water, weak
sodium bicarbonate solution, milk, or gruel) followed by
demulcent, such as raw egg white or corn starch paste; if
profuse vomiting does not follow immediately, give a mild
emetic (such as 1 tbsp mustard in glass of water), or tickle
back of throat. Repeat procedure until vomitus is free of
the odor. Some demulcent should be left in stomach after
vomiting. Keep patient comfortably warm.
Shipping
UN 2261 Xylenols, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels:
6.1-Poisonous materials.
Incompatibilities
A weak organic acid. Incompatible with
oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates,
perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may
cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials,
strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, and epoxides.
Chemical Properties
3,5-Xylenol is a crystalline solid.
Chemical Properties
WHITE TO LIGHT BEIGE CRYSTALLINE SOLID
Waste Disposal
Dissolve or mix the material
with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator
equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state,
and local environmental regulations must be observed.
Uses
3,5-Dimethylphenol finds application as adhesives, sealant chemicals, plating and surface treating agents. It is also used as a solvent for cleaning or degreasing. Further, it is employed as a chemical intermediate for antioxidants, phenolic resins, active pharmaceutical ingredients and metaxalone (muscle relaxant).
Definition
ChEBI: A member of the class of phenols that phenol substituted by methyl groups at positions 3 and 5.
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 chemical oxidizers. Sources ofignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibitedwhere xylenols is used, handled, or stored in a manner thatcould create a potential fire or explosion hazard.
Purification Methods
Purify it as for 3,4-dimethylphenol. [Beilstein 6 IV 3141.]
