Chemical Properties
dark green, brown or yellowish liquid
Uses
Wood preservative, disinfectant, insecticide.
General Description
CREOSOTE contains creosote, an EPA designated hazardous substance. CREOSOTE often contains substantial amounts of naphthalene and anthracene. The primary hazard is the threat posed to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. Since CREOSOTE is a liquid CREOSOTE can easily penetrate the soil and contaminate groundwater and nearby streams.
Air & Water Reactions
CREOSOTE may be air sensitive. Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Phenols, such as CREOSOTE, do not behave as organic alcohols, as one might guess from the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group in their structure. Instead, they react as weak organic acids. Phenols and cresols are much weaker as acids than common carboxylic acids (phenol has Ka = 1.3 x 10^[-10]). These materials are incompatible with strong reducing substances such as hydrides, nitrides, alkali metals, and sulfides. Flammable gas (H2) is often generated, and the heat of the reaction may ignite the gas. Heat is also generated by the acid-base reaction between phenols and bases. Such heating may initiate polymerization of the organic compound. Phenols are sulfonated very readily (for example, by concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature). The reactions generate heat. Phenols are also nitrated very rapidly, even by dilute nitric acid. CREOSOTE is incompatible with strong oxidizers.
Health Hazard
Vapors cause moderate irritation of nose and throat. Liquid causes severe burns of eyes and reddening and itching of skin. Prolonged contact with skin can cause burns. Ingestion causes salivation, vomiting, respiratory difficulties, thready pulse, vertigo, headache, loss of pupillary reflexes, hypothermia, cyanosis, mild convulsions.
Fire Hazard
Behavior in Fire: Heavy, irritating black smoke is formed.
Hazard
Toxic by inhalation of fumes, skin, and eye
irritant. Use may be restricted. Probable carcinogen.
Potential Exposure
The coke-oven plant is the principal source of coal tar. The hot gases and vapors produced during the conversion of coal to coke are collected by means of a scrubber, which condenses the effluent into ammonia, water, crude tar, and other by-products. Crude tar is separated from the remainder of the condensate for refining and may undergo further processing. Employees may be exposed to pitch and creosote in metal and foundry operations; when installing electrical equipment; in construction, railway, utility; and briquette manufacturing.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Shipping
UN1136 Coal tar distillates, flammable, Hazard Class: 3; Labels: 3-Flammable liquid
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with strong 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. Phenols, such as creosote react as weak organic acids. Phenols and cresols are much weaker as acids than common carboxylic acids (phenol has pKa = 9.88). These materials are incompatible with strong reducing agents such as hydrides, nitrides, alkali metals, and sulfides. Flammable hydrogen gas is often generated, and the heat of the reaction may ignite the gas. Heat is also generated by the acid-base reaction between phenols and bases. Such heating may initiate polymerization of the organic compound. Phenols are sulfonated very readily (e.g., by concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature). The reactions generate heat. Phenols are also nitrated very rapidly, even by dilute nitric acid
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.
Definition
The distillate of coal tar produced by the high temperature carbonization of bituminous coal. It consists primarily of aromatic hydrocarbons, tar acids and tar bases.
Chemical Reactivity
Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
