o-Terphenyl

1.1 (NIOSH, 2024) - Denser than water; will sink

1.1

Relative density (water = 1): 1.1

1.1

MONOCLINIC PRISMS FROM METHANOL

Colorless or light yellow solid.

Insoluble (NIOSH, 2024)

SOL IN ACETONE, BENZENE, METHANOL, CHLOROFORM

Sparingly soluble in lower alcohols and glycols; very soluble in common aromatic solvents.

Water solubility = 1.24 mg/l at 25 °C

Solubility in water: none

Insoluble

325 °F (NIOSH, 2024)

163 °C

325 °F (163 °C) (OPEN CUP)

163 °C o.c.

(oc) 325 °F

630 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024)

332 °C AT 760 MM HG

332 °C

630 °F

136 °F (NIOSH, 2024)

56.2 °C

Crumbly, wax-like flakes at room temperature and light amber liquids above the melting point /Commercial terphenyl mixtures/

56.2 °C

136 °F

7.95 (AIR= 1)

Relative vapor density (air = 1): 7.9

0.09 mmHg at 200 °F (NIOSH, 2024)

0.00025 [mmHg]

2.5X10-4 mm Hg at 25 °C, extrapolated from experimentally-derived coefficients

Vapor pressure, Pa at 25 °C: 0.0033

(200 °F): 0.09 mmHg

Warning

H302 (100%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]

P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P330, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 58 reports by companies from 8 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Danger

H302: Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]

Chemical: 1,1':2',1''-Terphenyl

1,1':2',1''-Terphenyl is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of 1,1':2',1''-Terphenyl are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

1,2-Diphenylbenzene: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

o-Terphenyl caused kidney injury in subchronic feeding studies in rats. Workers complained of eye and respiratory irritation after inhaling vapors of heated terphenyls. The TLV Basis for Terphenyls is upper respiratory tract and eye irritation; [ACGIH] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC]

Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-1 Ceiling value: 1 ppm (9 mg/cu m). /Terphenyls/

Vacated 1989 OSHA PEL Ceiling limit 5 mg/cu m (0.5 ppm) is still enforced in some states. /Terphenyl (o-, m-, p- isomers)/

0 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible materials.

1 - Materials that must be preheated before ignition can occur. Materials require considerable preheating, under all ambient temperature conditions, before ignition and combustion can occur.

0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for medical attention .

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for o-Terphenyl:

(General first aid procedures)

1. Remove all ignition sources. 2. Ventilate area of spill or leak. 3. For small quant, sweep onto paper or other suitable material, place in an appropriate container and burn in a safe place (such as a fume hood). Large quant may be reclaimed; however, if this is not practical, use a procedure similar to that for small quant. /Terphenyls/

SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

1. By making package of terphenyls in paper or other flammable material and burning in a suitable combustion chamber. 2. By dissolving terphenyls in a flammable solvent ... and atomizing in a suitable combustion chamber. /Terphenyls/

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Vacuum spilled material with specialist equipment. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a recommended classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 3900(SRC), determined from a measured water solubility(2), indicates that o-terphenyl will have slight mobility in soil(SRC). Based on limited data o-terphenyl may be resistant to biodegradation(SRC). o-Terphenyl present in a waste water mixture, inoculated with three bacterial species, was not biodegraded after an incubation period of 130 hours(3). Volatilization of o-terphenyl may be important from moist soil surfaces(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 6.2X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), from experimental values for water solubility(2) and vapor pressure(5), but not significant from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based on a vapor pressure of 2.5X10-4 mm Hg(SRC), determined from experimentally-derived coefficients(5).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a recommended classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc of 3900(SRC), determined from a measured water solubility(2), indicates that o-terphenyl may adsorb to suspended solids and sediment in the water(SRC). Based on limited data o-terphenyl may be resistant to biodegradation(SRC). o-Terphenyl present in a waste water mixture, inoculated with three bacterial species, was not biodegraded after an incubation period of 130 hours(3). o-Terphenyl should volatilize from water surfaces based on an estimated Henry's Law constant of 6.1X10-5 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) from experimental values for water solubility(2) and vapor pressure(7). Estimated half-lives for a model river and model lake are 26 hours and 13 days, respectively(1,SRC). An experimental BCF value of 590(5), measured in goldfish, suggests that o-terphenyl will bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms(SRC), according to a recommended classification scheme(6).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), o-terphenyl, which has a vapor pressure of 2.5X10-4 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), determined from experimentally-derived coefficients, will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase o-terphenyl is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be about 2 days(3,SRC). Particulate-phase o-terphenyl may be physically removed from the air by dry deposition(SRC).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by ingestion and by inhalation.

inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Cough. Sore throat.

Redness. Pain.

Diarrhoea. Nausea. Vomiting.

irritation eyes, skin, mucous membrane; thermal skin burns; headache; sore throat; In Animals: liver, kidney damage

The Koc of o-terphenyl is estimated as approximately 3900(SRC), using an experimental water solubility of 1.24 mg/l(1) and a regression-derived equation(2,SRC). According to a recommended classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that o-terphenyl has only slight mobility in soil(SRC).

o-Terphenyl (CAS # 84-15-1) was evaluated for mutagenicity using the bacterium, Salmonella, at a concentration of 900 uM. No significant induced mutation occurred at the solubility limit. No further information was submitted.

m-Terphenyl (CAS # 92-06-8) was evaluated for mutagenicity using the bacterium, Salmonella, at a concentration of 900 uM. No significant induced mutation occurred at the solubility limit. No further information was submitted.

... Concentrations of Santowax R vapor or condensate (a mixture of terphenyls containing 12% o-, 60% m-, and 28% p-terphenyl) in a reactor room under normal operating conditions ranged from 0.1 to 10 mg/cu m when the coolant was heated at 220 to 230 degree C. Concentrations above 10 mg/cu m (concentrations not specified) were associated with ocular and respiratory tract irritation in exposed workers. /Santowax R/

Terphenyl mixtures containing o-terphenyl are produced and used industrially as heat storage and transfer agents, as textile dye carriers, and as intermediates in the production of nonspreading lubricants(1) may result in o-terphenyl's release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC). From 1960-1970, technical grade terphenyls were also used as coolants for nuclear reactors, whereas contemporary use has been in solar-heating systems(1).

MAJOR METABOLITES OF O- & M-TERPHENYL ARE GLUCOSIDURONIC ACIDS & FREE PHENOLS.

(14)C-LABELED O-TERPHENYL 80 MG/KG, ADMIN INTRAGASTRICALLY TO RATS, ABOUT 10% OF RADIOACTIVITY IN FECES DURING 1ST 24 HR WAS FOUND IN NON-METABOLIZED O-TERPHENYL, ABOUT 86% IN FREE PHENOLS, REMAINING 4% IN NON-HYDROLYZED, CONJUGATED POLAR METABOLITES.

(14)C-LABELED O-TERPHENYL 80 MG/KG ADMIN INTRAGASTRICALLY TO RABBITS, 12% OF RADIOACTIVITY IN URINE DURING 1ST 24 HR WAS FOUND IN NON-METABOLIZED O-TERPHENYL, 79% WAS FOUND IN FREE PHENOLS, & REMAINING 9% IN CONJUGATED POLAR METABOLITES.

Depending on the extent to which these compounds are absorbed, the various terphenyls were metabolized to glucuronic acid conjugates and phenol and excreted in the urine of treated rabbits. Following a single 1 gram oral dose of o-, m-, or p-terphenyl, 60% of the o-, 38% of the m-, and a trace of p-terphenyl were detected as their respective glucuronides in the urine. Zero, 15%, and 30% of the o-, m-, and p-terphenyls, respectively, were isolated unchanged in feces.

AN INTRAGASTRIC DOSE OF (14)C LABELED O-TERPHENYL WAS RAPIDLY ABSORBED, DISTRIBUTED, AND ALMOST COMPLETELY EXCRETED WITHIN 48 HR, IN THE RAT MAINLY THROUGH THE BILE AND IN THE RABBIT MAINLY THROUGH URINARY EXCRETION. TEMPORARY ACCUM IN THE LIVER PEAKED AT 4.5 HR IN THE MOUSE AND WAS COMPLETELY CLEARED IN 1 WK.

RADIOACTIVITY FROM (14)C-LABELED O-TERPHENYL (80 MG/KG, INTRAGASTRICALLY) WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY EXCRETED WITHIN 48 HR PRIMARILY VIA BILIARY ROUTE IN RATS & URINARY TRACT IN RABBITS. DURING 1ST 24 HR, RATS EXCRETED 60% & RABBITS 72% OF ADMIN DOSE.

Terphenyl mixtures are used as heat transfer media, dye carriers, and in the production of lubricants; [ACGIH]

Terphenyl mixtures are used industrially as heat storage and transfer agents, as textile dye carriers, and as intermediates in the production of nonspreading lubricants. From 1960-1970, technical grade terphenyls were used as coolants for nuclear reactors, whereas contemporary use has been in solar-heating systems. /Terphenyl mixtures/

o-Terphenyl is used as a plasticizer for polystyrene for thermoplastic recording.

Terphenyls are byproducts in the production of biphenyl by dehydrocondensation of benzene; they are found in the high-boiling fraction of the pyrolysis products. o-Terphenyl is readily separated from the terphenyl isomer mixture by distillation.

Santowax OM is composed of 64% o-terphenyl, 25% m-terphenyl, 6% p-terphenyl, and 5% diphenyl. A mixture of terphenyls, marketed as a heat-transfer medium in the late 1970s was composed of approximately 2-10% ortho-, 45-49% meta-, and 25-35% para-terphenyl with trace amounts of diphenyl, plus higher polyphenyls normally in the 2-18% range.

All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing

1,1':2',1''-Terphenyl: ACTIVE

IT /TERPHENYL/ OCCURS NATURALLY IN PETROLEUM OIL. ...3 CHEMICAL ISOMERS...OF WHICH ORTHO & PARA FORMS APPEAR INDUSTRIALLY MOST PREVALENT. /TERPHENYLS/