Agent Name
3,5-Dimethylphenol
Alternative Name
3,5-Xylenol
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
1,3,5-Xylenol; 1-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzene; 3,5-DMP; Benzene, 1,3-dimethyl-5-hydroxy-; Phenol, 3,5-dimethyl-; sym-m-Xylenol; Xylenol 200; [ChemIDplus] UN2261
Description
White to yellow solid; [ICSC] Hygroscopic; [CAMEO] Yellow crystalline solid; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Used as a chemical intermediate for biocides, antioxidants, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, phenolic resins, Metaxalone (muscle relaxant), and methyl carbamate derivatives for insecticides; [HSDB]
Comments
Causes ataxia and muscle contraction/spasticity in lethal-dose testing of mice; [RTECS] Toxic by ingestion; A severe eye irritant; [HSDB] A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin and eyes; A respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC] A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; Inhalation may cause chemical pneumonitis; May be absorbed through skin; [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."
TLV (ACGIH)
1 ppm, inhalable fraction and vapor
Vapor Pressure
0.0405 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LC (rat) > 4 mg/m3
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold = 4.10E-5 mg/m3 (detection in air); [HSDB] Flash point = 80 deg C; [ICSC] The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Xylenols, solid."
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.