2,5-Dimethylphenol

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: Should a spill occur while you are handling this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with 60-70% ethanol and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with 60-70% ethanol to pick up any remaining material. Seal the absorbent paper, and any of your clothes, which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with 60-70% ethanol followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

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.

Chemical Treatability of 2,5-Dimethylphenol; Concentration Process: Biological treatment; Chemical Classification: Phenols; Scale of Study: Unknown; Type of Wastewater Used: Pure compound (one solute in a solvent); Results of Study: 94.5% reduction based on chemical oxygen demand; rate of biodegradation 10.6 mg chemical oxygen demand/g hr (activated sludge process).

MINIMUM PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: If Tyvek-type disposable protective clothing is not worn during handling of this chemical, wear disposable Tyvek-type sleeves taped to your gloves.

Some data suggesting breakthrough times /for butyl rubber/ of approximately an hour or more. /Aromatic hydroxyl cmpd/

Breakthrough times /for neoprene/ greater than one hour reported by (normally) two or more testers. /Aromatic hydroxyl cmpd/

Breakthrough times / for polyvinyl alcohol/ less (usually significantly less) than one hour reported by (normally) two or more testers. /Aromatic hydroxyl cmpd/

LC50 Salmo gairdneri (rainbow trout) 3.2-5.6 mg/l/96 hr /Static bioassay/

LC50 Daphnia magna (cladoceran) 10.0 mg/1/48 hr /Static bioassay/

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 440(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 2.33(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that 2,5-dimethylphenol is expected to have moderate mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of 2,5-dimethylphenol from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 7.1X10-6 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), determined from its vapor pressure of 0.156 mm Hg(4) and water solubility of 3540 mg/l(5). 2,5-Dimethylphenol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces based upon its vapor pressure(3). 2,5-Dimethylphenol has been reported to biodegrade in soil in 14 days at a temperature of 19 °C(6). Biodegradation under anaerobic conditions failed to occur in one study using a river sediment inoculum, time unspecified(7), yet 55% degradation occurred after 8 weeks in another study using a contaminated groundwater digester(8).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), a Koc value of 440(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 2.33(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that 2,5-dimethylphenol is expected to adsorb very little to suspended solids and sediment in water(SRC). 2,5-Dimethylphenol is expected to volatilize from water surfaces(3,SRC) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 7.1X10-6 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), determined from its vapor pressure of 0.156 mm Hg(4) and water solubility of 3540 mg/l(5). Estimated volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 6 days and 46 days, respectively(3,SRC). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 35(3,SRC), from 2,5-dimethylphenol's log Kow(2), suggests bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is moderate(SRC). In humic waters, degradation by the reaction with peroxy radicals should ensue with a half-life on the order of hours(7). 2,5-Dimethylphenol is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of hydrolyzable functional groups(3). The rate of biodegradation obtained for 2,5-dimethylphenol in a screening test with an adapted activated sludge seed was 94.5% chemical oxygen demand after 5 days(8). In addition, it has been reported that 2,5-dimethylphenol was readily degraded in St. Lawrence River water(9). Biodegradation under anaerobic conditions failed to occur in one study, time unspecified(10), yet 55% degradation occurred after 8 weeks in another study(11).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), 2,5-dimethylphenol, which has a vapor pressure of 0.156 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase 2,5-dimethylphenol 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 4.8 hours(SRC) from its rate constant of 8.00X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). Atmospheric 2,5-dimethylphenol is known to be removed by rainwater(4). 2,5-Dimethylphenol has an absorption band at 276 nm (alcohol-ether), and a shoulder may extend over 290 nm, thus making it a candidate for direct photochemical degradation(5,6). Night-time degradation in urban areas should occur rapidly through reaction with atmospheric nitrate radicals, as rate constants for this reaction with phenolic compounds are approximately 250 times faster than with hydroxyl radicals(7,SRC).

2,5-Dimethylphenol was identified as a volatile component of fresh tree-ripened apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) with a concn of 33 mg/kg fresh fruit tissue(1). 2,5-Dimethylphenol was identified as a volatile flavor component of the Japanese dried food, Bonito(2).

2,5-Dimethylphenol was identified in Los Angeles County, CA effluent (1980-81) at 10 ug/l(1). Waste water from the gasification of Indian Head lignite coal in North Dakota was determined to have an estimated 2,5-dimethylphenol concentration of 358 mg/l(2). 2,5-Dimethylphenol was detected but not quantified in low temperature carbonization wastewater collected in Naspur, India(3).

The Koc of 2,5-dimethylphenol is estimated as 440(SRC), using a log Kow of 2.33(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that 2,5-dimethylphenol is expected to have moderate mobility in soil(SRC).

URBAN/SUBURBAN: In 1984, a gas phase concn of 2,5-dimethylphenol was detected in 7 of 7 rain events in Portland, OR, at concns ranging from 15-70 ng/cu m, averaging 33 ng/cu m, analyzed as a mixture with 2,4-dimethylphenol(1). The amount associated with adsorption to particulate matter was <5% of the gas phase concn in every case(1). Not detected in either rural or urban air samples (detection limit = 0.05 ug/cu m)(2). SOURCE DOMINATED: Although found in gasoline and diesel motor exhaust, it was not detected in an Allegheny Mountain highway tunnel(3).

TOXIC BY INGESTION AND SKIN ABSORPTION. /COMMERCIAL MIXTURES/

LISTED AS A TUMOR PROMOTER. /FROM TABLE/

/SRP/: 2,5-DIMETHYLPHENOL IS A CONSTITUENT OF ... AUTOMOBILE EXHAUST, AND SHALE OIL WASTE WATER.

2,5-Dimethylphenol's use for the preparation of coal tar disinfectants (1), in the manufacture of artificial resins(1), as a constituent of coal tar creosote (0.7 wt%)(2), as a raw material for antioxidants in gasoline and rubber(3), and as a component of automobile and diesel exhaust(4-7) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC). Dimethylphenols, of which 2,5-dimethylphenol is an isomer, are components of disinfectants, solvents, pharmaceuticals, insecticides, fungicides, plasticizers, rubber chemicals, additives to lubricants and gasolines, wetting agents and dyestuffs(8).

ANAEROBIC DEGRADATION OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS TO METHANE AND CARBON DIOXIDE IN SEWAGE SLUDGE DIGESTION OCCURRED IN BOTH GROUND WATER AND LABORATORY DIGESTORS. WATER SAMPLES WERE COLLECTED FROM THE NEAR SURFACE GROUND WATER IN AN AREA CONTAMINATED WITH PLANT PROCESS WASTES RESULTING FROM OPERATION OF A COAL TAR DISTILLING AND WOOD TREATING PLANT. PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS (INCLUDING 2,5-DIMETHYLPHENOL) WERE ISOLATED FROM THE AQUEOUS SAMPLES BY DICHLOROMETHANE EXTRACTION.

... Adapted activated sludge at 20 °C, product is sole carbon source: 94% chemical oxygen demand removal at 11 mg chemical oxygen demand/g dry inoculum/hr ... .

In shake flask studies, an initial 2,5-dimethylphenol concentration of 0.1 ug/ml was reduced to below detection following 2 weeks incubation in contaminated groundwater from the American Creosote Works Superfund site, Pensacola, FL(1). 2,5-Dimethylphenol was readily degraded in St. Lawrence River water(2). 2,5-Dimethylphenol completely biodegraded in 14 days within a hard, carbonaceous woody loam at 19 °C(3). Using a biological treatment simulator, 11.2% theoretical oxygen demand after 10 days was obtained for 2,5-dimethylphenol from a coal gasification waste water feed and an acclimated sludge seed(4). The rate of biodegradation obtained for 2,5-dimethylphenol in a screening test with an adapted activated sludge seed was 94.5% chemical oxygen demand loss after 5 days(5). In a biological treatment simulator using an activated sludge seed, 2,5-dimethylphenol underwent 78% chemical oxygen demand removal afer 40 days; at 50 days, no further degradation had ensued(6).

ANAEROBIC: In a screening test using a mixed culture sewage seed and substrate concns of 100, 300, and 500 mg/l, anaerobic degradation did not occur(1). However, in another study, 2,5-dimethylphenol, at an initial concn of 5.44 mg/l, underwent 55% degradation when incubated in coal tar-contaminated groundwater in an anaerobic digester for 8 weeks(2).

Used to make phenolic resins and (in isomeric mixtures) as an antioxidant for lubricating oils, gasoline, and elastomers; [HSDB]

Petroleum Production and Refining [Category: Industry]

Used in phosphate esters, alkylated xylenols, antioxidants. /Xylenol 100/

ANTIOXIDANT FOR LUBRICATING OILS, GASOLINE, ELASTOMERS. /MIXED ISOMERS/

Starting materials in the phenolic resins. /Xylenols/

Used in the production of high-viscosity phosphate esters, as a feedstock for hindered phenol antioxidant and specialty modified phenolic resin manufacture. /Xylenol 410/

The insertion of methyl groups into phenol to produce ... xylenols is a commercial process of considerable utility. The process commomly employed is methylation with methyl alcohol over a solid catalyst, generally a modified metal oxide, at temp in the range of 300-450 °C. /Xylenols/

Xylenol 100; a high purity fraction of 2,4- and 2,5- xylenol (ortho xylenols); typical composition: 2,4- and 2,5-xylenol 93%; meta para cresol 2%; other xylenols 5%. /From table/

Pitt-Consol Xylenol 410 is a synthetic xylenol blend ... homolog distribution, wt %: 2,6-xylenol, 1; 2,4-xylenol, 42; 2,5-xylenol, 43; 2,3-xylenol group, 14. /Xylenol 410/

Fragrance Ingredients

Flavouring Agent -> FLAVOURING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Flavoring Agents -> JECFA Flavorings Index

Flavouring Agent -> FLAVOURING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing

Phenol, 2,5-dimethyl-: ACTIVE