2,6-Dimethylphenol
Agent Name
2,6-Dimethylphenol
Alternative Name
2,6-Xylenol
CAS Number
576-26-1
Formula
C8-H10-O
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
2,6-Xylenol; 1-Hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzene; 2,6-DMP; 2-Hydroxy-1,3-dimethylbenzene; Phenol, 2,6-dimethyl-; Vic-m-xylenol; Xylenol 235; [ChemIDplus] UN2261
Category
Phenols
Description
Colorless to off-white solid; [CAMEO] White crystalline powder; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Used as an intermediate in organic synthesis; [HSDB]
Comments
Irritating to eyes; [HSDB] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] Corrosive to tissues; Inhalation may cause laryngeal spasm, edema of the bronchi, and chemical pneumonitis; Chronic exposure may cause liver and kidney damage [CAMEO] Toxic by ingestion, and skin contact; May cause burns; [eChemPortal: ESIS] A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; Inhalation may cause chemical pneumonitis and edema; May be absorbed through skin; Effects in high-dose animal studies include general anesthesia, convulsions or effect on seizure threshold, and impaired liver function; [MSDSonline] "As the six dimethylphenol isomers and the mixed isomer substance are generally similar in toxicity, a common TLV for these substances is appropriate. . . . In mice, oral exposure to 250 mg/kg/day produced changes in blood parameters including statistically significant decreases in mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (4 and 3% reduction in mean values, respectively. . . . Available data on skin sensitization from exposure to dimethylphenol are mixed but warrant the addition of a DSEN notation. . . . All six dimethylphenol isomers were tested in a mouse local lymph node assay and the results found 2.4, 2,5, and 3,4-dimethylphenol to be positive for skin sensitization." There are no epidemiology studies. In a case report, ingestion of about 250 ml of a mixture of dimethylphenol isomers resulted in CNS depression, hypotension, and death. [ACGIH] See "Phenol."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
TLV (ACGIH)
1 ppm, inhalable fraction and vapor
Vapor Pressure
0.274 mm Hg
Explanatory Notes
Flash point = 73 deg C; [HSDB] The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Xylenols, solid."
Adverse Effects
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.