Benzyl mercaptan
Agent Name
Benzyl mercaptan
CAS Number
100-53-8
Formula
C7-H8-S
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
(Mercaptomethyl)benzene; Benzenemethanethiol; Benzyl hydrosulfide; Benzylhydrosulfide; Benzylthiol; Methanethiol, phenyl-; Phenylmethanethiol; Phenylmethyl mercaptan; Thiobenzyl alcohol; Toluene, alpha-mercapto-; alpha-Mercaptotoluene; alpha-Toluenethiol; alpha-Toluolthiol; alpha-Tolyl mercaptan; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Thiols
Description
Cream to white solid; [Hawley] Colorless liquid; [Merck Index] Colorless liquid; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Used as an odorant, synthetic flavor, and to make pesticides; [HSDB] Used as a bacteriostat; [Hawley]
Comments
A lachrymator; A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause mild CNS depression; [CHEMINFO] Causes weakness, ataxia, and cyanosis in lethal inhalation studies of mice; [RTECS] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] An irritant; May have CNS effects; [MSDSonline] See "Thiols."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Vapor Pressure
0.47 mm Hg
Odor Threshold Low
0.0026 ppm
Odor Threshold High
0.04 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) > 235 ppm/4h
Explanatory Notes
Odor threshold from CHEMINFO;
NFPA
high ambient temp required
Adverse Effects
Lachrymator
Yes
Other Poison
Chemical Asphyxiant
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.