120-80-9

Solid; white; odorless. Sinks and mixes with water.

POISONOUS GASES MAY BE PRODUCED WHEN HEATED. CATECHOL(120-80-9) may form toxic fumes at high temperatures. [USCG, 1999]. This compound can react with acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, bases and oxidizing agents. CATECHOL(120-80-9) reacts violently on contact with concentrated nitric acid. CATECHOL(120-80-9) acts as a reducing agent .

Turns brown on exposure to air and light, especially when moist. Water soluble. Aqueous solutions soon turn brown on exposure to air and light.

Strong irritant. Toxic by skin absorption. Eye and upper respiratory tract irritant, and der- matitis. Possible carcinogen.

DUST: Irritating to eyes, nose and throat. If inhaled will cause coughing or difficult breathing. SOLID: Will burn skin and eyes. Harmful if swallowed.

Used as a chemical intermediate; pharmaceutical and veterinary drug; as an antiseptic; in photography; in dyestuff manufacture and application. It is also used in electroplating, in the formulation of specialty inks; in antioxidants; and light stabilizers.

Combustible. POISONOUS GASES MAY BE PRODUCED WHEN HEATED. May form toxic fumes at high temperatures.

Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim warm and quiet. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering a drug or other inhalation therapy.

UN 2811 Toxic solids, organic, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required.

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, epoxides.

Catechol is a white crystalline solid. Turnsbrown on contact with light and air. Molecularweight=110.12; Specific gravity (H2O:1)=1.3; Boilingpoint=245.5℃; Freezing/Melting point=104℃. It sublimes readily; Vapor pressure=10 mmHg at 117℃; Flashpoint=127℃; Autoignition temperature=512℃.Explosive Limits in air: LEL=1.4%; UEL-Unknown.Hazard Identification (based on NFPA 704 M RatingSystem): Health 3, Flammability 1, Reactivity 2. Solubilityin water=44%.

Catechol is a white crystalline solid. Turns brown on contact with light and air.

Off-white powder

In photography; dyeing fur; as reagent.

In the manufacture of rubber antioxidants and monomer inhibitors to stop radical polymerization; in dyes, as a photographic developer; in formulations for pharmaceuticals, perfumes, inks, and insecticides

Pyrocatechol is used in photography, in dyeing fur, and as a topical antiseptic.

A colourless crystalline PHENOL containing two hydroxyl groups. It is used in photographic developing.

Pyrocatechol may be obtained by the fusion of o-phenolsulfonic acid with alkali, by heating chorophenol with a solution of sodium hydroxide at 200°C in an autoclave, or by cleavage of the methyl ether group of guaiacol (obtained from beechwood tar) with hydriodic acid.

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 45, p. 4275, 1980 DOI: 10.1021/jo01310a003

Nonflammable

Pyrocatechol has been extensively studied for its role in carcinogenesis of the rat glandular stomach; it was concluded that pyrocatechol is carcinogenic. When rats and mice were administered 0.8% pyrocatechol in their feed for life, there was an increase in glandular stomach adenocarcinoma in both male and female rats. Pyrocatechol also caused hyperplasia of the glandular stomach in both rats and mice, a mechanism that could cause promotion of carcinogen-initiated cells; no effects on the esophagus or urinary bladder were reported. There were no cutaneous neoplasms when pyrocatechol was applied in dermal studies. Pyrocatechol may be classified as a cocarcinogen because it enhanced the number and/or incidence of lesions in the stomach induced by several carcinogenic nitrosamines and cutaneous neoplasms when administered dermally together with several carcinogens.

Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working with catecholyou should be trained on its proper handling and storage.Before entering confined space where this chemical may bepresent, check to make sure that an explosive concentrationdoes not exist. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool,well-ventilated area away from strong oxidizers and acids.Use only nonsparking tools and equipment, especially whenopening and closing containers of this chemical. Sources ofignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibitedwhere this chemical is used, handled, or stored in a mannerthat could create a potential fire or explosion hazard.

Crystallise catechol from *benzene or toluene and sublime it in vacuo. [Rozo et al. Anal Chem 58 2988 1986, Beilstein 6 IV 5557.]