Product Name: Phenolsulfonic Acid Solution
Synonyms: p-Phenolsulfonic Acid, 4-Hydroxybenzenesulfonic Acid
Chemical Formula: C6H6O4S
CAS Number: 98-67-9
Recommended Use: Catalyst for chemical synthesis, resin production, laboratory reagent
Manufacturer: List manufacturer's address, emergency contact number, and customer service details for immediate reference in case of chemical emergencies or information requests.
GHS Classification: Corrosive to skin (Category 1B), Serious eye damage (Category 1), Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure (Category 3, respiratory system)
Pictogram: Corrosion, Exclamation mark
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage; May cause respiratory irritation; Harmful if swallowed; May cause damage to mucous membranes in contact
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves and eye/face protection, avoid breathing vapors or fumes, wash hands after handling, seek medical advice if exposed or concerned, store away from incompatible materials including strong bases and oxidizers.
Chemical Name: Phenolsulfonic Acid
Concentration: 60–80% (typical range in industrial solution)
CAS Number: 98-67-9
Other Components: Water (balance), trace sulfonated byproducts under 2%
Impurities: Free phenol (usually under 0.5%), possible sulfuric acid traces due to manufacturing process, less than 1%
Eye Contact: Rinse gently with large amounts of water for at least 20 minutes, lifting eyelids to flush thoroughly, seek immediate medical attention to prevent lasting injury
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash affected area with copious running water for at least 20 minutes, call for urgent medical help as severe burns can develop
Inhalation: Move to fresh air promptly, keep person at rest in a position comfortable for breathing, medical assistance required for any symptom lasting more than a few minutes, irritant may inflame lower and upper airways
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, provide water to dilute if victim is conscious, urgent medical attention needed to address corrosive response in gastrointestinal tract
Note for Physicians: Treat symptomatically and monitor for signs of respiratory distress or other systemic effects; chemical burn protocols may be needed.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, or alcohol-resistant foam; water sprays may be effective to cool exposed containers
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use water jets directly on liquid for fire suppression, risk of splashing or spreading corrosive material
Specific Hazards: Chemical may release toxic and irritating fumes including sulfur oxides and phenol vapor if heated strongly or burned; containers exposed to fire may rupture
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus required due to high risk of inhalation and skin exposure
Advice: Remove containers from fire zone if safe, use fine water spray only to keep drums cool, prevent fire runoff from entering waterways or drains.
Personal Precautions: Use chemical splash goggles, face shield, acid-resistant gloves, chemical-resistant boots, and protective clothing; direct contact can cause rapid burns
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from reaching soil, waterways, storm drains, and sewers to avoid severe ecological harm, use barriers or absorbent booms for containment
Methods for Containment and Cleanup: Ventilate area to disperse vapors, absorb spills with vermiculite, dry sand, or inert absorbent, scoop into clearly labeled acid-resistant containers for disposal, neutralize residues with a suitable mild alkaline agent if conditions are controlled and safe, decontaminate area thoroughly after cleanup completed.
Safe Handling: Always handle in well-ventilated areas with all personal protections in place, avoid splashing, never pipette by mouth, do not eat or drink around chemical
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly closed acid-resistant containers in cool, dry, chemical storage room with corrosion-resistant shelving, keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources
Incompatibilities: Segregate from strong oxidizers, strong bases, alkali metals, and reactive metals such as aluminum or zinc; chemical attack possible with many materials
Other Precautions: Label storage zone clearly, supply proper spill response materials nearby, periodic inspection recommended for container integrity due to corrosive potential.
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hood or local exhaust ventilation to limit vapor and mist buildup, closed systems or automated handling recommended for large scale uses
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Splash goggles, face shield, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), acid-proof apron, long sleeves, and boots
Respiratory Protection: Where vapor concentrations are high, use approved full-face respirator with acid gas cartridges; in emergencies or unknown concentrations, use self-contained breathing apparatus
Exposure Limits: No specific OSHA PEL for phenolsulfonic acid; use internal company exposure limits where available, minimize exposure as much as realistically possible
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands with soap and water after use, remove contaminated clothing immediately, do not reuse contaminated gear until thoroughly cleaned.
Appearance: Colorless to dark brown liquid in commercial grades, may form crystals at low temperatures
Odor: Pungent, phenolic and sulfurous quality
pH: Strongly acidic, pH of 1% solution typically under 1
Melting Point/Freezing Point: Crystallizes below 15°C (pure compound), solution remains liquid to below 0°C depending on concentration
Boiling Point: Above 100°C (water loss), decomposition possible at higher temperatures
Flash Point: Not easily flammable but decomposes on strong heating
Solubility: Miscible with water; soluble in alcohols
Vapor Pressure: Low at room temperature but higher with heat
Density: Around 1.3–1.4 g/cm³ for typical solutions
Other Properties: Reacts vigorously with bases and many metals; may cause strong exothermic reactions if mixed inappropriately.
Chemical Stability: Stable under standard laboratory and industrial storage in sealed containers, prolonged exposure to air may cause some discoloration or slow decomposition
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, sources of ignition, exposure to moist air, high humidity, or direct sunlight
Incompatible Materials: Strong bases, strong oxidizers, halogenating agents, reactive metals like sodium or potassium, concrete or lime-based materials
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide, phenol vapor, potentially carbon monoxide and water vapor from organic breakdown
Hazardous Reactions: Violent reaction possible with incompatible substances, especially with alkali metals or during neutralization with strong alkalis.
Potential Health Effects: Direct skin contact leads to burns, ulceration, and possible necrosis; severe eye exposure may permanently damage vision; inhalation causes irritation or chemical pneumonitis; ingestion rapidly damages mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal system
Acute Toxicity: May cause systemic toxicity if absorbed through the skin or inhaled; toxic to mucous membranes upon contact
Chronic Effects: Long-term systemic exposure may affect liver and kidneys, no established carcinogenic risk but chronic irritation causes tissue damage
LD50 (Oral, rat): Estimated above 2000 mg/kg but definitive data limited for this substance
Symptoms of Exposure: Burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, vomiting, and shock in severe situations
Sensitization: No clear evidence for skin or respiratory sensitizer, but strong irritant properties.
Toxicity: High hazard for aquatic life due to low pH and phenol content, acute exposure kills fish or invertebrates at concentrations as low as a few mg/L in environmental water
Persistence and Degradability: Meteoric breakdown is slow; phenol part can be degraded microbially but sulfonic acid group resists quick breakdown
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low to moderate for phenol fragment, sulfonic acids do not accumulate substantially
Other Effects: Acidification of water or soil alters ecosystems, kills beneficial soil bacteria
Environmental Precautions: Spills must not reach sewer or natural waterways; use local containment and professional hazardous waste contractors for cleanup.
Disposal Methods: Collect all waste and contaminated cleanup material into clearly labeled acid-resistant containers, treat only by licensed hazardous waste disposal provider; on-site neutralization may be possible under highly controlled engineering conditions with experienced personnel
Special Precautions: Do not release untreated solutions to drains, surface waters, or soil; follow national, regional, and local hazardous waste regulations strictly
Container Disposal: Rinse and neutralize containers before recycling if possible, otherwise dispose of them by incineration or in accordance with local hazardous waste protocols
Other Recommendations: Maintain accurate records of volume and location of waste generated, report accidental releases requiring external remediation to environmental authorities promptly.
UN Number: UN2586
Proper Shipping Name: Phenolsulfonic Acid Solution
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: III (for solutions less than 80%)
Labels Required: Corrosive
Special Transport Precautions: Use only corrosion-resistant drum or inner packaging, provide secondary containment, keep upright at all times during shipment, emergency spill kit and eyewash recommended for transporters
Regulatory Authority: Comply with IATA, IMDG, DOT, and local country transport requirements for hazardous chemical shipments.
TSCA (US): Listed as a chemical substance subject to inventory
EINECS/ELINCS (EU): Registered and included in European inventory, subject to REACH regulation control for use and handling
OSHA Hazard Classification: Corrosive for all routes of exposure
SARA Title III: Not specifically regulated, though general reporting may apply in spill cases
Canadian WHMIS: Classified under corrosive material, appropriate workplace labeling required
Other Information: Always review for any new local regulations, as regional authorities may update controls based on incident or research; keep safety data sheet current and available to all personnel.
