BENZOPHENONE

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Basic information

  • Chemical formula(s): \({\rm (C_6H_5)_{2}CO}\), \({\rm Ph_2CO}\), \({\rm C_{13}H_{10}O}\)
  • Other names: diphenyl ketone, benzoylbenzene, phenyl ketone, diphenylmethanone
  • CAS: 119-61-9
  • International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): 0389
  • Flammability: yes - requires considerable preheating
  • NOAA’s description: white solid with a flowery odour; may float or sink in water

NFPA 704 (fire diamond)

  • Health (blue): 1 - exposure would cause irritation with only minor residual injury.
  • Flammability (red): 1 - requires considerable preheating, under all ambient temperature conditions, before ignition and combustion can occur.
  • Instability–reactivity (yellow): 0 - normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water.
  • Special notice (white): -

Hazard statements

Code Phrase
H373 may cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H411 toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements

Code Phrase
P260 do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
P273 avoid release to the environment
P314 get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell
P391 collect spillage
P501 dispose of contents/container to HCI-Shop

Protective measures

Gloves

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and OSHA Glove Selection Chart do not provide recommendation on gloves for handling benzophenone. Apollo Scientific provides the following recommendations:

  • Neoprene: N/A
  • Natural latex or rubber: N/A
  • Buthyl: good at thickness greater than 0.35 mm.
  • Nitrile: good at thickness greater than 0.35 mm.

Safety goggles

  • Always wear safety goggles when handling benzophenone. Corrective glasses are not considered safety googles.
  • Handle benzophenone inside the fume hood only (with exception of moving the closed bottle to and from the storage cabinet).

Clothing

  • Wear long trousers and fully covered shoes.
  • Contact lenses are forbidden while working with chemical substances, even in combination with safety glasses.
  • Do not wear cosmetics.
  • Do not wear synthetic clothing while working with flammable liquids or gases or when a hazard is present as these materials tend to melt and stick to exposed skin.
  • Do not wear headphones.

Spill management

  • Use personal protective equipment.
  • Avoid dust formation, avoid breathing dust.
  • Avoid breathing vapors or mist.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation.
  • Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
  • Sweep up without creating dust and arrange disposal.
  • Do not let it enter drain.
  • If a spill happened outside the fume hood (on the floor or desktop) contact Dr Jakub Tkaczuk (+41 44 632 31 62) and the ETH Emergency Desk (+41 44 342 11 88 from mobile or 888 from landline).