1319-77-3 Usage
Description
Cresol, also known as cresylic acid, methylphenol, and tricresol, is a mixture of three isomers of cresol derived from coal tar and petroleum. It is a clear amber to red liquid with a tarry odor and is poisonous by ingestion and skin absorption. Cresol is insoluble in water, has a density of 8.7 lb/gal, and is corrosive to skin.
Uses
Used in Disinfectants and Fumigants:
Cresol is used as a disinfectant and fumigant due to its antimicrobial properties, which outweigh any other property.
Used in Synthetic Resins Industry:
Cresol is used as a raw material in the manufacture of synthetic resins, such as phenolic resins.
Used in Tricresyl Phosphate Production:
Cresol is used in the production of tricresyl phosphate, which is an organophosphate compound.
Used in Ore Flotation:
Cresol is used as a degreasing compound in ore flotation processes.
Used in Textile Scouring:
Cresol is used as a textile scouring agent to remove impurities from fabrics.
Used in Organic Intermediates:
Cresol is used as an organic intermediate in the synthesis of various chemicals.
Used in Manufacture of Salicylaldehyde, Coumarin, and Herbicides:
Cresol is used in the production of salicylaldehyde, coumarin, and herbicides.
Used in Surfactant Production:
Cresol is used in the production of surfactants, which are compounds that lower the surface tension of a liquid.
Used in Synthetic Food Flavors (Para Isomer Only):
The para isomer of cresol is used in the production of synthetic food flavors.
Used in Photographic Developers and Explosives:
Cresol is used in photographic developers and as a component in explosives.
Used in Veterinary Medicine:
Cresol is used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, and antiparasitic agent in veterinary medicine.
Estimated breakdown of cresol and cresylic acid use is 20% phenolic resins, 20% wire enamel solvents, 10% agricultural chemicals, 5% phosphate esters, 5% disinfectants and cleaning compounds, 5% ore flotation, and 25% miscellaneous purposes.
Production Methods
Cresol may be obtained from coal tar or prepared synthetically by either sulfonation or oxidation of toluene.
Air & Water Reactions
Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Mixing CRESOL in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: chlorosulfonic acid, nitric acid, oleum, [NFPA 1991].
Hazard
Irritant, corrosive to skin and mucous membranes, absorbed via skin. Questionable carcinogen.
Health Hazard
LIQUID: Will burn skin and eyes. Harmful if swallowed.
Health Hazard
The toxic actions of cresol are similar tothose of phenol. The para-isomer is somewhat more toxic than the other two isomers.The toxic symptoms are weakness, confu-sion, depression of the central nervous system, dyspnea, and respiratory failure. It isan irritant to the eyes and skin. Skin con-tact can cause burn and dermatitis. Chroniceffects are gastrointestinal disorders, nervousdisorders, tremor, confusion, skin eruptions,oliguria, jaundice, and liver damage. SkinLD50 values in rats for o-, m-, and p-phenolsare 620, 1100, and 750 mg/kg, respectively.Dietz and Mulligan (1988a,b) have investigated the subchronic toxicity of meta- andpara-cresols in Sprague-Dawley rats after13 weeks of oral gavage. There was noadverse effects from a dose of 50 mg/kg/day.High dose levels of 150 mg/kg/day producedcentral nervous system depression and reduction of body weight gain. p-Cresol was foundto be hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic, inducinga mild anemic effect. The acute toxicity ofmethyl phenols did not show any relationshipto the number or position of methyl groupson the phenol nucleus. In an acute toxicitystudy on Daphnia magna, Devillers (1988)found cresols to be more toxic than phenol,xylenols, and trimethylphenols.
Fire Hazard
Combustible. POISONOUS GASES MAY BE PRODUCED IN FIRE. Flammable toxic vapors given off in a fire. Sealed closed containers can build up pressure if exposed to heat.
Chemical Reactivity
Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
Pharmaceutical Applications
Cresol is used at 0.15-0.3% concentration as an antimicrobial preservative in intramuscular, intradermal, and subcutaneous injectable pharmaceutical formulations. It is also used as a preservative in some topical formulations and as a disinfectant. Cresol is not suitable as a preservative for preparations that are to be freeze-dried.
Safety
Reports of adverse reactions to cresol are generally associated with the use of either the bulk material or cresol-based disinfectants, which may contain up to 50% cresol, rather than for its use as a preservative. However, a recent case of cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to the m-cresol component of an insulin formulation detected via intradermal and patch testing has been reported.Cresol is similar to phenol although it is less caustic and toxic. However, cresol is sufficiently caustic to be unsuitable for skin and wound disinfection. In studies in rabbits, cresol was found to be metabolized and excreted primarily as the glucuronide.A patient has survived ingestion of 12g of cresol though with severe adverse effects.LD50 (mouse, oral): 0.76g/kgLD50 (rabbit, skin): 2g/kgLD50 (rat, oral): 1.45g/kg
Potential Exposure
Cresol is used as a disinfectant and fumigant; as an ore flotation agent, and as an intermediate in the manufacture of chemicals, dyes, plastics, and antioxidants. A mixture of isomers is generally used; the concentrations of the components are determined by the source of the cresol.
Environmental Fate
It acts by disruption of the cell membrane by denaturation of
proteins and enzymes of the cell.
storage
Cresol and aqueous cresol solutions darken in color with age and on exposure to air and light. Cresol should be stored in a well-closed container, protected from light, in a cool, dry place.
Shipping
UN2076 Cresols, liquid, Hazard class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, 8-Corrosive material. UN3455 Cresols, solid, Hazard class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1- Poisonous materials, 8-Corrosive material.
Toxicity evaluation
Cresol’s production and use as a solvent, disinfectant, and
chemical intermediate in the production of synthetic resins
may result in its release to the environment through various
waste streams. Cresols are also released to the environment
through automobile exhaust and tobacco smoke. Cresols are
a group of widely distributed natural compounds formed as
metabolites of microbial activity and excreted in the urine of
mammals. Cresols occur in various plant lipid and oil
constituents. If released to air, an extrapolated vapor pressure
range of 0.11–0.299 mm Hg at 25°C for the various isomers
indicates cresols will exist solely as a vapor in the ambient
atmosphere. Vapor-phase cresols will be degraded in the
atmosphere by photochemical reaction and produce hydroxyl
radicals. The half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be
6–9 h. If released to soil, cresols are expected to have high
mobility based upon Koc values of 22–49 measured in soil.
Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is expected to occur
slowly based upon Henry’s Law constants. Cresols are not expected
to volatilize from dry soil surfaces based upon the
extrapolated vapor pressure range. Cresols biodegrade quickly
in soils with half-lives of few days. If released into water, cresols
do not adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in the water.
Cresols biodegrade quickly in water with half-lives of severaldays to few weeks. Volatilization from water surfaces is expected
to occur slowly based upon the range of Henry’s Law
constants for the various isomers. Estimated volatilization halflives
for a model river and model lake range from 21 to 29 and
235–327 days, respectively. Cresols are not expected to
undergo hydrolysis since they lack functional groups that
hydrolyze under environmental conditions. Direct photolysis
in sunlit surface occurs and products occur at a much slower
rate than biodegradation. Log bioconcentration factor values of
1.3 and 1.03 measured in ide and zebrafish respectively
suggests that the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic
organisms is low.
Incompatibilities
Vapors may form explosive mixture with air. Incompatible with strong acids; oxidizers, alkalies, aliphatic amines; amides, chlorosulfonic acid; oleum. Decomposes on heating, producing strong acids and bases, causing fire and explosion hazard. Liquid attacks some plastics and rubber. Attacks many metals.
Incompatibilities
Cresol has been reported to be incompatible with chlorpromazine. Antimicrobial activity is reduced in the presence of nonionic surfactants.
Waste Disposal
Wastewaters may be subjected to biological treatment. Concentrations may be further reduced by ozone treatment. High concentration wastes may be destroyed in special waste incinerators.
Regulatory Status
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (IM, IV, intradermal, and SC injections). Included in parenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients.
Check Digit Verification of cas no
The CAS Registry Mumber 1319-77-3 includes 7 digits separated into 3 groups by hyphens. The first part of the number,starting from the left, has 4 digits, 1,3,1 and 9 respectively; the second part has 2 digits, 7 and 7 respectively.
Calculate Digit Verification of CAS Registry Number 1319-77:
(6*1)+(5*3)+(4*1)+(3*9)+(2*7)+(1*7)=73
73 % 10 = 3
So 1319-77-3 is a valid CAS Registry Number.
InChI:InChI=1/C7H8O/c1-6-4-2-3-5-7(6)8/h2-5,8H,1H3
