2-Methylbenzyl chloride

Synonym(s):α-Chloro-o-xylene

CAS NO.：552-45-4
Empirical Formula: C8H9Cl
Molecular Weight: 140.61
MDL number: MFCD00000899
EINECS: 209-013-8
SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)
Update Date: 2026-05-08 10:32:36

What is 2-Methylbenzyl chloride?

Chemical properties

Colorless to light yellow liqui

The Uses of 2-Methylbenzyl chloride

o-Chloromethyltoluene is a building block that has been used in the preparation of fenarimol analogs showing curative activity in an experimental model of Chagas disease.

General Description

A colorless to pale-yellow colored liquid with a pungent odor. Insoluble in water. Slightly denser than water. Flash point 165°F. Contact may irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion. Used to make other chemicals.

Air & Water Reactions

Because of its insolubility 2-Methylbenzyl chloride doesn't react vigorously with water, although 2-Methylbenzyl chloride does generate annoying levels of hydrogen chloride fumes.

Reactivity Profile

2-Methylbenzyl chloride is rapidly decomposed when heated in the presence of iron.

Health Hazard

Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Properties of 2-Methylbenzyl chloride

Melting point:	-2 °C
Boiling point:	197-199 °C(lit.)
Density	1.063 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
refractive index	n20/D 1.541(lit.)
Flash point:	165 °F
storage temp.	2-8°C
solubility	soluble in Ether
form	Liquid
color	Clear colorless to light yellow
Merck	14,10091
BRN	386016
Stability:	Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, bases, alcohols, amines. Corrodes steel.
CAS DataBase Reference	552-45-4(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry Reference	Benzene, 1-(chloromethyl)-2-methyl-(552-45-4)
EPA Substance Registry System	o-(Chloromethyl)toluene (552-45-4)

Safety information for 2-Methylbenzyl chloride

Signal word	Danger
Pictogram(s)	Corrosion Corrosives GHS05 Exclamation Mark Irritant GHS07 Environment GHS09
GHS Hazard Statements	H302:Acute toxicity,oral H314:Skin corrosion/irritation H411:Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard
Precautionary Statement Codes	P270:Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. P273:Avoid release to the environment. P280:Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P301+P312:IF SWALLOWED: call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician IF you feel unwell. P303+P361+P353:IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off Immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse SKIN with water/shower. P305+P351+P338:IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.