Benzoyl chloride (CAS 98-88-4): storage and disposal
Benzoyl chloride is the pungent, corrosive liquid that a college or university store may keep for acylation work, usually as a half-used bottle with a crusted cap. It is classified as causing severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause an allergic skin reaction and is harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled. Its reaction with moisture is the thing that ages a bottle.
- CAS number
- 98-88-4
- Form
- Liquid
- Storage class
- Corrosive
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Harmful or irritant
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as corrosive stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
The cap is the first check at the shelf. Benzoyl chloride is corrosive stock, so it sits low down on a resistant tray in a ventilated corrosive store, with damp protection because it reacts with moisture from the air. Keep it away from oxidisers and from the solvent cabinet, because spills and fumes from corrosive stock attack containers and seals. Any water based stock nearby is a hazard if a bottle leaks. Because it may cause an allergic skin reaction, the gloves and tray used for it should stay with it. In colleges and universities, a bottle that has been opened often will have a worn thread, so check that too.
How to tell it has deteriorated
The cap gives away its age. Moisture turns it towards benzoic acid and hydrogen chloride, so look for white solid at the thread, a hazy or fuming neck when the bottle is moved, a corroded metal liner and rust on shelving nearby. The pungent smell escaping into the store room is another sign of a poor seal. The liquid itself may look unchanged, so the container is the better guide. Cracked glass, a stuck cap and a faded label are further warnings. Do not open an old bottle. Record what you see and ask for advice.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a corrosive other laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Waste leaves by specialist collection as a hazardous chemical under UN 1736. It is grouped in a lab pack with other corrosive organic stock in UN approved packaging, and kept apart from anything that carries water. Waste code 16 05 06* fits a laboratory chemical, and 16 05 08* applies to discarded organic chemical outside a lab pack. A drain, a general bin or skip is not a route, and nobody may try to quench or rinse out a crusted bottle. Keep the bottle upright in its tray, note the crust on the cap, and write down the label wording and approximate volume left.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- FlammableA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
- OxidiserCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- AcetoneA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
- Calcium hypochloriteCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.
- EthanolA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
- HexaneA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
- Hydrogen peroxideCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.
- MethanolA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
- Potassium nitrateCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.
- Potassium permanganateCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.
Show 1 more
- TolueneA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: neat.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H302 Harmful if swallowed.
- H312 Harmful in contact with skin.
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H332 Harmful if inhaled.
Precautionary statements
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
- P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
How do we know if benzoyl chloride has gone off?
Judge by the container, not the liquid. White solid on the thread, fuming at the neck, a corroded liner or a pungent smell in the store room all point to moisture reaching the contents. Do not open it. Record what you see and arrange collection.
Is benzoyl chloride stored with acids or with organic solvents?
It is a corrosive organic liquid, so it sits in the corrosive store on a resistant tray, not in the solvent cabinet. Keep it away from oxidisers and from water based stock. Check your own store plan if the corrosive cabinet is shared with acids.
Can a bottle with a crusted cap still be collected?
Yes, as long as the container is intact and the cap is tight. Do not try to clean the crust or force the cap. Record the crust, keep the bottle upright in a tray and describe the condition when you request collection.
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