General Description
Colorless to off-white crystalline solid. Odor threshold concentration 0.4 mg/L. Taste threshold concentration 0.5 mg/L.
Reactivity Profile
2,5-DIMETHYLPHENOL(95-87-4) is incompatible with bases, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides and oxidizing agents. 2,5-DIMETHYLPHENOL(95-87-4) corrodes steel, brass, copper and copper alloys.
Air & Water Reactions
This chemical is hygroscopic. Insoluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data for this chemical are not available. 2,5-DIMETHYLPHENOL is probably combustible.
Chemical Properties
2,5-Xylenol has a creosote, sweet, medicinal taste.
Chemical Properties
WHITE TO CREAM COLORED CRYSTALS
Occurrence
Reported found in coffee, smoked fatty fish, processed lean fish, malt whiskey, Scotch blended whiskey, katsuobushi
(dried bonito) and kumazasa (Sasa albo-marginata).
Uses
Used to make phenolic resins and (in isomeric mixtures) as an antioxidant for lubricating oils, gasoline, and elastomers. Also used as perfuming agents.
Definition
ChEBI: 2,5-xylenol is a member of the class of phenols that phenol substituted by methyl groups at positions 2 and 5. It has a role as a volatile oil component and an animal metabolite. It derives from a hydride of a p-xylene.
Aroma threshold values
Detection: 400 ppb
Taste threshold values
Taste characteristics at 10 ppm: musty, chemical, stringent and phenolic.
Health Hazard
Symptoms of exposure to this compound may include severe irritation and burns of the skin and eyes; irritation of the respiratory tract, dizziness, stomach pain, exhaustion, coma and damage to the liver or kidneys. Other symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting. It may cause corrosion of the tissues of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract, eyes and skin. Inhalation may result in burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis and shortness of breath. Inhalation may be fatal as a result of spasm, inflammation and edema of the larynx and bronchi; chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema. Symptoms of exposure to this class of compounds include skin sensitization, profuse sweating, painless blanching or erythema of the skin, intense thirst, diarrhea, cyanosis from methemoglobinemia, hyperactivity, stupor, blood pressure fall, hyperpnea, abdominal pain, hemolysis and convulsions. If death from respiratory failure is not immediate, jaundice and oliguria or anuria may occur.
Purification Methods
Crystallise 2,5-xylenol from EtOH/ether. [Beilstein 6 IV 3164.]
