General Description
A water-white to straw colored liquid. Slightly less dense than water and insoluble in water. Flash point below 141°F. Vapors may be toxic. Used in making rubber.
Reactivity Profile
DIVINYL BENZENE(1321-74-0) may react vigorously with strong oxidizing agents. Can react exothermically with reducing agents (such as alkali metals and hydrides) to release gaseous hydrogen. May react exothermically with both acids and bases. May in the presence of various catalysts (such as acids) or initiators undergo exothermic polymerization. Inhibited by presence of an additive. When uninhibited violent polymerization may occur . Substitution at the benzene nucleus occurs by halogenation (acid catalyst), nitration, sulfonation, and the Friedel-Crafts reaction.
Air & Water Reactions
Flammable. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
This chemical is combustible.
Chemical Properties
A water-white to straw colored liquid. Slightly less dense than water and insoluble in water. Flash point below 141°F. Vapors may be toxic. Used in making rubber.
Definition
ChEBI: 1,2-Divinylbenzene is a member of styrenes.
Health Hazard
Divinyl benzene is an irritant of
eyes, nose, and mucous membranes.
Mild respiratory irritation occurred in
workers exposed to 0.4–4ppm divinyl
benzene. Mild irritation was also reported
from skin and eye contact.
Flammability and Explosibility
Notclassified
Potential Exposure
Tumorigen,Mutagen. This compound is used as a monomer for thepreparation of special synthetic rubbers, drying oils, ionexchange resins and casting resins, and in polyester resinmanufacture
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. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Carcinogenicity
Divinyl benzene was weakly genotoxic in
vivo, inducing a dose-dependent increase in
sister chromatid exchanges and an increase
in the frequency of chromosome aberrations in
male mice exposed at concentrations of up to
75ppm for 3 days.
The 2003 ACGIH threshold limit valuetime-
weighted average (TLV-TWA) for divinyl
benzene is 10ppm (53mg/m3).
storage
Color Code—Red: Flammability Hazard: Store ina flammable liquid storage area or approved cabinet awayfrom ignition sources and corrosive and reactive materials.Prior to working with DVB you should be trained on itsproper handling and storage. Before entering confined spacewhere this chemical may be present, check to make sure thatan explosive concentration does not exist. Store in tightlyclosed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away frommetallic salts (such as ferric and aluminum chlorides) andoxidizers (such as perchlorates, peroxides, permanganates,chlorates, and nitrates). Store in tightly closed containers ina cool, well-ventilated area away from heat. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited wherethis chemical is used, handled, or stored in a manner thatcould create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of thischemical should be grounded and bonded. Drums must beequipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs,and flame arresters. Use only nonsparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers ofthis chemical.
Shipping
Diethylbenzene requires a shipping label of“FLAMMABLE LIQUID.” It falls in Hazard Class 3 andPacking Group II
Purification Methods
Purify divinylbenzene by dissolving in Et2O, shaking with H2O, drying over CaCl2, filtering, evaporating and distilling in vacuo. It polymerises within 2-3days unless 4-tertbutylcatechol (0.05%) is added as stabilizer. [Fries & Bestian Chem Ber 69 715 1936, Beilstein 5 III 1366.]
Incompatibilities
Forms explosive mixture with air.Violent reaction with strong oxidizers, metallic salts. Ableto polymerize; add inhibitor and monitor to insure effectivelevels are maintained at all times. May accumulate staticelectrical charges, and may cause ignition of its vapors.
