Chemical Properties
yellow liquid
Uses
Usually used to store alkali metals and prevent air re-dissolution.
Uses
In kerosene lamps, flares, and stoves; as degreaser and cleaner; Deobase formerly used as a solvent in cosmetics and in fly spray.
General Description
A clear colorless to light amber liquid with a petroleum odor. Flash point 100°F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors are heavier than air.
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, contained in Kerosene, may be incompatible with strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid. Charring of the hydrocarbon may occur followed by ignition of unreacted hydrocarbon and other nearby combustibles. In other settings, aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons are mostly unreactive. They are not affected by aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, most oxidizing agents, and most reducing agents.
Health Hazard
Vapor causes slight irritation of eyes and nose. Liquid irritates stomach; if taken into lungs, causes coughing, distress, and rapidly developing pulmonary edema.
Hazard
Moderate fire risk, explosive limits in air
0.7–5.0%. Toxic by inhalation. Questionable carcinogen.
Description
Kerosene is primarily derived from refined petroleum. Kerosene
was discovered in 1853 by Abraham Gesner, a British
physician, through an extraction process of inflammable liquid
from asphalt, a waxy petroleum mixture. Kerosene, therefore, is
often called coal or fuel oil because of its asphalt origins.
Kerosene was the first material to be chemically extracted on
a large commercial scale.
Definition
Straight Run, Kerosene (petroleum). A complex combination of hydrocarbons produced by the distillation of crude oil. It consists of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers predominantly in the range of C9 through C16 and boiling in the range of approximately 180.degree.C to 300.degree.C (356.degree.F to 572.degree.F).
Production Methods
Kerosene is produced by direct fractionation of the “middle
distillate fraction”. Individual kerosene composition
varies widely, but consists mainly of linear and branched
aliphatics, olefins, cycloparaffins, and aromatics in the
C10–C16 range. For indoor heating fuels it
is desirable to remove the olefins, aromatics, and sulfur
compounds, because they promote the evolution of
soot and sulfur oxides. For some purposes, highly refined or
“deodorized” kerosene is manufactured by treatment with
activated charcoal or by clay filtration and is generally
less toxic than untreated kerosene.
Flammability and Explosibility
Flammable
Chemical Reactivity
Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reactions; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
Synthesis
Kerosene is produced via synthesis and downstream processing considering H2 and CO2 as feedstock in a power-to-liquid concept, defining the target fraction as C8 to C16 hydrocarbons through the Fischer-Tropsch pathway or meeting Jet-A1 specifications[1][2][3]. E-kerosene and sustainable aviation fuels are produced as sustainable aviation fuels using renewable or low carbon electricity and hydrogen, syngas, and/or captured CO2 as feedstock through power-to-liquid processes involving synthesis and downstream processing[2][3]. Power-based kerosene is produced by comparing Fischer-Tropsch synthesis with hydrotreatment and direct methanol synthesis with downstream dehydration, olefin formation, subsequent oligomerization into higher olefins, and downstream hydrogenation[1][2].
Potential Exposure
AgriculturalChemical; Tumorigen, Mutagen, Human Data; PrimaryIrritant; (petroleum, hydrotreated) Tumorigen. Kerosene isused as a fuel for lamps, stoves, jets, and rockets. It is alsoused for degreasing and cleaning metals and as a vehiclefor insecticides. Jet fuels JP-5 and JP-8 are used as aircraftfuels by the military. JP-8 is the primary jet fuel used bythe US Navy and Air Force. Kerosene is the primary component of both JP-5 and JP-8.
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.
Environmental Fate
Kerosene is composed of aliphatic hydrocarbons with
10–16 carbons per molecule and benzene and naphthalene
derivatives. Because kerosene is a complex mixture of various
hydrocarbon fractions, its transport and transformation in the
environment are dependent on the environment fate of the
individual hydrocarbons that comprise it. Kerosene can enter
the environment because of its uses – engine fuels, domestic
heating, pesticide, and solvent. Environmental releases of
kerosene predominantly results in portioning to air. The halflife
reaction is calculated to be 0.27–2.2 days. Photodegeneration
is rapid in the air phase. Kerosene is expected to
have low mobility and some immobility when released to soil.
Volatilization does occur. Kerosene is biodegradable in soil,
although some components of the mixture adhere strongly to
the soil. Kerosene is also biodegradable in surface water.
However, some components of the mixture may bioconcentrate
in fish and other aquatic organisms. Hydrolysis is
insignificant because kerosene lacks the functional groups that
hydrolyze under environmental conditions.
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 this chemical you should be trainedon its proper handling and storage. Before entering confinedspace where this chemical may be present, check to makesure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Store intightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated areaaway from oxidizers. Metal containers involving thetransfer of this chemical should be grounded and bonded.Where possible, automatically pump liquid from drums orother storage containers to process containers. Drums mustbe equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuumbungs, and flame arresters. Use only nonsparking tools andequipment, especially when opening and closing containersof this chemical. Sources of ignition, such as smoking andopen flames, are prohibited where this chemical is used,handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potentialfire or explosion hazard. Wherever this chemical is used,handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proofelectrical equipment and fittings.
Shipping
Kerosene requires a shipping label of“POISONOUS/TOXIC MATERIALS.” It falls in HazardClass 3 and Packing Group III.
Purification Methods
Stir it with conc H2SO4 until a fresh portion of acid remains colourless, then wash with water, dry with solid KOH and distil it in a Claisen flask. For more complete drying, the kerosene can be refluxed with Na, and distilled from Na.
Toxicity evaluation
The specific mechanism of toxicity of kerosene has not been
completely determined. The primary risk from ingestion of
kerosene is aspiration during emesis, which may cause
pneumonitis. The biochemical mechanism of lung response
to large concentrations of aerosolized kerosene (resulting in
bronchoconstriction and asthma-like symptoms) may involve
the parasympathetic nervous system via a direct effect on the
vagus nerve or by inhibition of acety1cholinesterase. The
mechanism(s) of central nervous system (CNS) depression
from kerosene exposure has not been elucidated, but
undoubtedly includes disruption of the membranes of nerve
cells.
Incompatibilities
Explosive mixture in air. Oxidizers maycause fire and explosion hazard. Incompatible with nitricacid. May accumulate static electrical charges, and maycause ignition of its vapors.
Toxics Screening Level
The acute initial threshold screening level (ITSL) for kerosene-like petroleum distillates
is 2000 μg/m3, with 8-hour averaging time.
References
[1] Bube, S., Voß, S., Quante, G., & Kaltschmitt, M. (2025). Cost analysis of kerosene production from power-based syngas via the Fischer-Tropsch and methanol pathway. Fuel, 384, Article 133901.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.133901[2] Bube, S., Bullerdiek, N., Voß, S., & Kaltschmitt, M. (2024). Kerosene production from power-based syngas – A technical comparison of the Fischer-Tropsch and methanol pathway. Fuel, 366, Article 131269.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.131269[3] Atsonios, K., Li, J., & Inglezakis, V. J. (2023). Process analysis and comparative assessment of advanced thermochemical pathways for e-kerosene production. Energy, 278, Article 127868.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.127868
