Organic Chemistry Laboratory Topics

Physical data for all compounds used in the organic chem teaching labs.

Table from the appendices of the Handbook for Organic Chemistry Lab, 5th edition, produced by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder.

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Physical constants and hazards of some organic and inorganic compounds

 

Mol. Wt.

Color, Cryst. form

b.p. °C

m.p. °C

Density

Solubility

Hazards

Toxicity

Acetanilide or N-phenylacetamide, CH3CONHC6H5

135.17

rh or pl (w)

304

114.3

1.219015

al, eth, ace, bz

toxic, irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 1930 mg/kg; general narcotic action in humans, large doses may cause death by respiratory paralysis.

Acetanilide, p-hydroxy or p-acetamidophenol, 4-HOC6H4NHCOCH3

151.17

nd (bz-peth)

..........

169-172

..........

al, eth, bz

toxic, irritant

LD50 (mice, oral): 338 mg/kg

Acetic acid (see solvent/acid/base/salts reference page.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acetic acid, 3-methyl butyl ester or iso-pentyl acetate or iso-amyl acetate, CH3CO2CH2CH2CH-(CH3)2

130.19

..........

142

-78.5

0.867020/4

al, eth, ace

flammable liquid, irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 16600 mg/kg

Acetic acid, anhydride, or acetic anhydride, (CH3CO)2O

102.09

..........

139.55, 4415

-73.1

1.082020/4

al, eth, bz, w

corrosive, lachrymator

LD50(rats, oral): 1.78 g/kg. Produces irritation and necrosis of tissues.

Acetic acid, butyl ester or butyl acetate, CH3CO2C4H9

116.16

..........

126.5

-77.9

0.882520/4

al, eth, bz

flammable liquid, irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 14.13 g/kg; narcotic to humans in high concentrations

Acetic acid, ethyl ester or ethyl acetate, CH3CO2C2H5

88.11

..........

77.06

-83.6

0.900320/4

w, al, eth, ace, bz

flammable, irritant

LD50(rats, oral): 11.3 mL/kg

Acetic acid, octyl ester or octyl acetate, CH3CO2C8H17

172.27

..........

210, 112-330

-38.5

0.870520/4

al, eth

 

LD50 (rats, oral): 3.0 g/kg

Acetone or 2-Propanone, CH3COCH3

58.08

..........

56.2

-95.35

0.789920/4

w, al, eth, bz, chl

flammable, irritant

inhalation TLCLO, 500 ppm

Acetylferrocene, C12H12OFe

228.07

..........

..........

81-83

..........

..........

highly toxic

 

Aluminum chloride, AlCl3

133.34

wh to col, hex

d 262, 182.7752, subl.177.8

1902.5

..........

w, al, CCl4, eth

corrosive, moisture sensitive

LD50 (rats, oral): 3730 mg/kg; anhydrous form is a strong irritant

Ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate, (ceric ammonium nitrate), (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6

548.23

or, monocl

..........

..........

..........

w, ace, al

oxidizer, irritant

 

Ammonium formate, HCO2NH4

63.06

wh, monocl, deliq

180 d

116

1.280

w, al, eth, NH3

irritant, hygroscopic

..........

Ammonium hydroxide (see solvent/acid/base/salts reference page.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aniline or phenylamine, C6H5NH2

93.13

..........

184, 68.310

-6.3

1.0217320/4

al, eth, ace, bz, lig

highly toxic, irritant

Intoxication may occur from inhalation, ingestion, or cutaneous absorption.

Aniline, 2-nitro, 2-(NO2)C6H4NH2

138.13

gold-ye pl or nd

284, 165-628

71.5

1.44215

al, eth, ace, bz

highly toxic, irritant

 

Aniline, 4-bromo, 4-Br-C6H4NH2

172.02

rh bip yrm nd (60% al)

d

66.4

1.4970100/4

al, eth

toxic, irritant

 

Aniline, 4-nitro, 4-(NO2)C6H4NH2

138.13

pa ye mcl nd (w)

331.7, 1060.03

148-9

1.42420/4

al, eth, ace, chl

highly toxic, irritant

 

Anisic acid, p-, or 4-methoxybenzoic acid, 4-(CH3O)C6H4CO2H

152.15

nd (w)

170-210

184

..........

al, eth, bz

..........

 

Benzaldehyde, 2-nitro, 2-NO2C6H4CHO

151.12

ye nd (w)

15323

43.5-44

1.284420/4

al, eth, ace, bz

irritant

 

Benzene, 1,4-di-tert-butyl or p-di-tert-butyl benzene, 1,4-[(CH3)3C]2C6H4

190.33

nd (MeOH)

237743, 10915

80-1

..........

al, eth

flammable liquid

 

Benzene, bromo or phenylbromide, C6H5Br

157.01

..........

156, 4318

-30.8

1.495020/4

al, eth, bz

irritant

 

Benzene, ethyl or Ethylbenzene, C6H5C2H5

106.17

..........

136.2, 25.810

-95

0.867020/4

al, eth

flammable, irritant

LD50(rats, oral): 5.46 g/kg

Benzene, nitro, C6H5NO2

123.11

..........

210.8

5.7

1.203720/4

al, eth, ace, bz

highly toxic, irritant

Rapidly absorbed through skin, vapor hazardous. May cause headaches, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, methemoglobinemia with cyanosis.

Benzene, tert-butyl, C6H5C(CH3)3

134.22

..........

169, 50.710

-57.8

0.866520/4

al, eth, ace, bz

flammable

 

Benzenesulfonamide, 4-acetamido, 4-(CH3CONH)-C6H4SO2NH2

214.24

nd (aa)

..........

219-20

..........

w, al, ace

irritant

 

Benzenesulfonyl chloride, 4-acetamido, 4-(CH3CONH)C6H4SO2Cl

233.67

nd (bz), pr (bz-chl)

..........

149

..........

al, eth

corrosive, moisture-sensitive

 

Benzhydrol or diphenylmethanol, (C6H5)2CHOH

184.24

nd (lig)

297-8748, 18020

69

..........

al, eth

irritant

 

Benzil or diphenyl-glyoxal, C6H5COCOC6H5

210.23

ye pr (al)

346-8d, 18812

95-6

1.084102/4

al, eth, ace, bz

irritant

 

Benzoic acid, 3-chloro, 3-ClC6H4CO2H

156.57

pr (w)

sub

158

1.49625/4

al, eth

irritant

 

Benzoic acid, C6H5CO2H

122.12

mcl lf or nd

249, 13310

122.13

1.265915/4

al, eth, ace, bz, chl

irritant

 

Benzoic acid, methyl ester or methyl benzoate, C6H5CO2CH3

136.15

..........

199.6, 96-824

-12.3

1.088820/4

al, eth, MeOH

irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 3.43 g/kg

Benzophenone or diphenyl ketone, C6H5COC6H5

182.22

rh pr (al, eth)

305.9

48.1

1.14620

al, eth, ace, bz

irritant

 

Benzyl chloride or α-chlorotoluene, C6H5CH2Cl

126.59

..........

179.3, 6611

-39

1.100220/20

al, eth, chl

highly toxic, cancer suspect agent

irritant; very large doses causes CNS depression

Biphenyl or phenylbenzene, C6H5-C6H5

154.21

lf (dil al)

255.9, 14522

71

0.866020/4

al, eth, bz

irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 3280 mg/kg; CNS depression, paralysis, convulsions observed in exptl animals

Bromine, Br2

159.8

dk red liq

58.78

-7.2

3.119

al, eth, chl

highly toxic, oxidizer

 

1,3, Butadiene,1,4-diphenyl (trans, trans), C6H5CH=CH-CH=CHC6H5

206.29

lf (al or aa)

350720

152.5

..........

al, eth, bz, chl, peth

irritant

 

Butanol, 1- or n-butyl alcohol, CH3CH2CH2CH2OH

74.12

..........

117.2

-89.5

0.809820/4

w, al, eth, ace, bz

flammable liquid

LD50 (rats, oral): 4.36 g/kg; may cause irritation of mucous membranes, contact dermatitis, headache, dizziness, drowsiness.

Butanol, 1-, 3-methyl or iso-amyl alcohol, (CH3)2CHCH2CH2OH

88.15

..........

128.5750

-117.2

0.809220/4

al, eth, ace

irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 7.07 mL/kg

2-Butanone, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl, (CH3)2COHCOCH3

102.13

..........

140-1

..........

0.971

..........

 

 

Butyl alcohol, tert- or 2-Methyl-2-propanol, (CH3)3COH

74.12

..........

82.3, 2031

25.5

0.788720/4

w, al, eth

flammable, irritant

LD50(rats, oral): 3.5 g/kg

Butyl chloride, tert- or 2-Chloro-2-methyl propane, (CH3)3CCl

92.57

..........

51-52

-25.4

0.842020/4

al, eth, bz, chl

flammable

 

3-Butyn-2-ol, 2-methyl, (CH3)2COHC≡CH

84.12

..........

104, 5697

+3

0.861820/4

w, al

flammable liquid, toxic

LD50 (mice, i.p.): 3.6 g/kg

Caffeine or 1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine, C8H10N4O2

194.19

wh nd (w+l), hex pr (sub)

sub 178, sub 8915

238 (anh)

1.2319

py, chl

toxic

LD50 (mice, hamsters, rats, rabbits, oral, mg/kg): 127, 230, 355, 246 (males); 137, 249, 247, 224 (females)

Carotene, α-, C40H56

536.88

red br hex pr (bz-MeOH)

..........

184

1.0020/20

eth, ace, bz, peth

..........

 

 

Chlorophyll a, C55H72MgN4O5

893.51

bl bk hex pl

..........

150-3

..........

al, eth, lig

..........

 

Chlorophyll b, C55H70MgN4O5

907.49

bl bk gr pw

..........

120-30

..........

al, eth, lig

 

 

Chlorosulfonic acid, ClSO3H

116.52

..........

158

-80

1.76618

d to H2SO4+ in water

highly toxic, oxidizer

extremely destructive to tissue of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract, eyes, and skin

Cholesterol, C27H45OH

386.66

rh or tcl lf (al+1w), nd(eth)

360d, 2330.5

148.5 (anh)

1.06720/4

eth, bz, peth

 

 

Cinnamaldehyde, trans, C6H5CH=CHCHO

132.16

yesh

253d, 12716

-7.5

1.049720/4

al, eth, chl

irritant

 

Cinnamic acid, trans-, C6H5CH=CHCO2H

148.16

mcl pr (dil al)

300 (cor)

135-6

1.24754/4

al, eth, ace, bz, chl

irritant

 

Cumene or iso-Propylbenzene, (CH3)2CHC6H5

120.19

..........

152.4, 38.210

-96

0.861820/4

al, eth, ace, bz

irritant

LD50(rats, oral): 1.4 g/kg

Cyclohexane, C6H12

84.16

..........

80.7

6.5

0.778520/4

al, eth, ace, bz, lig

flammable, irritant

LD50 (rat, oral): 12.7 g/kg

Cyclohexane, methyl or Hexahydrotoluene, CH3C6H11

98.19

..........

100.9, 16.310

-126.6

0.769420/4

al, eth, ace, bz

flammable, irritant

 

Cyclohexanol, C6H11OH

100.16

hyg nd

161.1

25.1

0.962420/4

w, al, ace, eth, bz

irritant, hygroscopic

LD50 (rats, oral): 2.06 g/kg

Cyclohexanol, 2-methyl, 2-CH3C6H10OH

114.19

..........

166, 7820

..........

0.945420

al, eth

irritant

TLV (human): 50 ppm

Cyclohexanone, C6H10O

98.14

..........

155.6, 4715

-26.4

0.947820/4

al, eth, ace, bz, chl

corrosive, toxic

LD50 (rats, oral): 1.62 mL/kg

Cyclohexene, C6H10

82.15

..........

83

-103.5

0.8102 20/4

al, eth, ace bz

flammable, irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 2400 UL/kg

Cyclohexene, 1-methyl,

1-CH3C6H9

96.17

..........

110, 24.630

-121

0.810220/4

eth, bz

flammable, irritant

 

Cyclohexene, 3-methyl, 3-CH3C6H9

96.17

...........

104

-115.5

0.799020/4

eth, bz, peth, chl

 

 

Cyclopentadiene, C5H6

66.10

..........

40.0

-97.2

0.802120/4

al, eth, ace, bz

..........

LD50 (rats, oral): .82 g/kg

Diacetylferrocene, C14H14O2Fe

270.11

..........

..........

125-7

..........

..........

..........

 

Dicyclopentadiene, C10H12

132.21

..........

170

-1

0.986

al, eth, aa

flammable liquid, toxic

 

Epoxycholestan-3β-ol, 5α, 6α-, C27H44O2

402.66

..........

..........

139-41

..........

..........

..........

 

Ethanol or ethyl alcohol, CH3CH2OH

46.07

..........

78.5

-117.3

0.789320/4

w, eth, ace, bz

highly toxic, flammable

LD50 (oral, rat): 13.0 mL/kg

LDLo (human, oral): 1.4 g/kg

Ethyl ether or diethyl ether, C2H5OC2H5

74.12

..........

34.5

-116.2

0.713820/4

al, ace, bz, chl

flammable, irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 2.2 g/kg

Ferrocene, C10H10Fe

186.04

..........

249

172.5

..........

..........

 

 

Fluorene or 2,3-Benzindene, C13H10

166.22

lf (al)

293-5

116-7

1.2030/4

eth, ace, bz

..........

 

 

Formamide, N,N-dimethyl, HCON(CH3)2

73.09

..........

149-56, 39.910

-60.5

0.948720/4

w, al, eth, ace, bz, chl

cancer suspect agent, irritant

vapor harmful; irritating to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes

Fumaric acid, dimethyl ester or Dimethyl fumarate, CH3O2CCH=CHCO2-CH3

144.13

..........

193

103-4

1.3720/4

ace, chl

irritant

LD50 (oral, rat): 2.24 g/kg

Hexane-1,6-diamino or hexamethylene diamine, H2N(CH2)6NH2

116.21

rh bipym pl

204-5, 10020

41-2

..........

w, al, bz

corrosive, hygroscopic

 

Hexanes, C6H14

86.18

..........

69

-95

0.655

al, eth, chl

flammable, irritant

 

Hydrazine, 2,4-dinitrophenyl, [2,4-(O2N)2C6H3]NHNH2

198.14

blsh-red (al)

..........

194, (198d)

..........

..........

flammable solid, irritant

 

Ibuprofen, (CH3)2CHCH2C6H4-CH-(CH3)CO2H

206.27

..........

..........

75-77

..........

al, eth, ace

toxic

LD50 (mice, oral): 1255 mg/kg

Indigo, C16H10N2O2

262.27

..........

..........

390-2d

1.35

..........

irritant

 

Magnesium, Mg

24.3050

silv wh met, hex

1107

648.8

1.745

..........

 

Particles embedded in skin can produce gaseous blebs. Inhalation of dust is irritating.

Maleic acid, dimethyl ester or Dimethyl maleate, CH3O2CCH=CHCO2-CH3

144.13

..........

202, 10217

-19

1.160620/4

eth

toxic, irritant

LD50 (oral, rat): 1.41 g/kg

Maleic anhydride, C4H2O3

98.06

nd (chl eth)

197-9, 8214

60

1.31460

eth, ace, chl

corrosive, toxic

Powerful irritant; avoid contact with skin, eyes, clothing. Avoid inhalation.

Mercury (II) oxide or mercuric oxide, HgO

216.59

yel or red, rhomb

..........

d 500

1.14

acid

highly toxic, irritant

poison

Methane, dichloro or Methylene chloride, CH2Cl2

84.93

..........

40

-95.1

1.326620/4

al, eth

toxic, irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 1.6 mL/kg; Narcotic to humans in high concentration; TCLo (humans): 500 ppm

Methane, diphenyl, (C6H5)2CH2

168.24

pr nd

264.3, 125.510

25.3

1.006020/4

al, eth, chl

..........

..........

Methane, tetrachloro or Carbon tetrachloride, CCl4

153.82

..........

76.5

-23

1.594020/4

al, eth, ace, bz, chl

cancer suspect agent, toxic

inhalation TCLO, 20 ppm

Methane, trichloro or Chloroform, CHCl3

119.38

..........

61.7

-63.5

1.483220/4

al, eth, ace, bz, lig

highly toxic, cancer suspect agent

inhalation TCLO, 10 ppm

Methanol or Methyl alcohol, CH3OH

32.04

..........

65, 1573

-93.9

0.791420/4

w, al, eth, ace, bz, chl

flammable, poisonous

inhalation TCLo, 300 ppm

(humans)

Naphthalene, C10H8

128.17

mcl pl (al)

218, 87.510

80.5

0.9625100/4, 1.025320

al, eth, ace, bz

flammable, toxic

poisonous to humans in large doses

Nitric acid (see p. 83)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrobenzoic acid, 3-, methyl ester, 3-NO2C6H4CO2CH3

181.15

 

nd

..........

78

..........

..........

may cause irritation

 

Norbornene-, cis-5-, endo-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride

164.16

..........

..........

165-7

..........

..........

flammable, moisture sensitive

 

Octanol, 1- or octyl alcohol, CH3(CH2)6CH2OH

130.23

..........

194.4, 9819

-16.7

0.827020/4

al, eth

irritant

LD50 (oral, mus): 1.79 g/kg

Palladium on activated carbon, Pd-C (10% Pd)

 

 

 

 

 

 

flammable solid

 

Pentane, CH3(CH2)3CH3

72.15

..........

36.1

-130

0.626220/4

al, eth, ace, bz, chl

flammable, irritant

LDLo (mice, inhalation): 128,200 ppm

Peroxybenzoic acid, 3-chloro, 3-ClC6H4COOOH

172.57

..........

..........

92-4 dec

..........

..........

oxidizer, irritant

 

Phenanthrene, C14H10

178.23

mcl pl (al), lf (sub)

340,

210-1512

101

 

0.98004

al, eth, ace, bz, aa

irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 700 mg/kg

3-Phenylpropanoic acid, erythro-2,3-dibromo, C9H8O2Br2

308.8

..........

..........

202-4

..........

..........

 

 

3-Phenylpropanoic acid, threo-2,3-dibromo, C9H8O2Br2

308.0

..........

..........

93.5-95

..........

..........

 

 

Phosphoric acid, H3PO4 (see p. 83)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phosphorous acid, triethyl ester or triethyl phosphite, (C2H5O)3P

166.16

..........

157.9, 4912

..........

0.962920/4

..........

irritant

 

Propionic acid or propanoic acid, CH3CH2CO2H

74.08

..........

141, 41.610

-20.8

0.993020

w, al, eth

corrosive, toxic

LD50 (rats, oral): 4.29 g/kg

Propionic acid, butyl ester or butyl propionate, CH3CH2CO2C4H9

130.19

..........

145.5

-89.5

0.875420/4

al, eth

irritant

LD50 (rats, oral): 5 g/kg

Salicylic acid acetate or Aspirin,

2-CH3CO2C6H4CO2H

180.16

nd (w), mcl

ta p

 

135

 

..........

al, eth, chl

..........

..........

Sebacoyl chloride, ClOC(CH2)8COCl

239.14

..........

22075, 16511

-2.5

1.121220/4

..........

corrosive, lachrymator

 

Sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3 (see also solvent/acid/base/salts reference page.)

84.01

wh, monocl pr

..........

..........

2.159

w, al

..........

 

Sodium bisulfite, NaHSO3

104.06

wh, monocl

..........

d

1.48

w, al

corrosive

LD50 (rats, i.v.): 115 mg/kg; concentrated solutions are irritating to skin, mucous membranes

Sodium borohydride, NaBH4

37.83

white cub

..........

400 dec

1.074

w, al

flammable solid, corrosive

 

Sodium carbonate, Na2CO3

105.99

wh powd

d

851

2.532

w, al

irritant, hygroscopic

concentrated solns in contact with skin or eyes may cause local necrosis

Sodium chloride (see also See: some properties of salts/salt solutions used in organic chemistry.)

58.44

col, cub

..........

801

2.16525/4

w, al

..........

 

Sodium hydrosulfite or sodium dithionite, Na2S2O4

174.11

col, monocl cr

..........

>300 dec

..........

w

flammable solid, moisture sensitive

 

Sodium hydroxide (see solvent/acid/base/salts reference page.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium hypochlorite, NaOCl

74.44

found only in solution

..........

..........

..........

..........

oxidizer, corrosive

Ingestion may cause corrosion of mucous membranes; inhalation may produce bronchial irritation; skin irritant.

Sodium methoxide, NaOCH3

54.02

wh powd

..........

..........

..........

w, al

flammable solid, corrosive

 

Sodium thiosulfate, Na2S2O3

158.11

col, monocl

..........

..........

1.667

w

irritant

 

Stilbene, trans-, or trans-1,2-diphenyl-thylene, C6H5CH=CHC6H5

180.25

cr (al)

305720, 166-712

124-5

0.9707

eth, bz

..........

 

Sulfanilamide or 4-aminobenzene sulfonic acid,

4-H2NC6H4SO2NH2

172.20

lf (aq al)

..........

165-6

1.08

al, eth, ace

irritant

LD50 (dogs, oral): 2.0 g/kg

Sulfuric acid (see solvent/acid/base/salts reference page.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thymol blue or thymolsulfonephthalein, C27H30O5S

466.59

gr-red (al, eth, aa)

..........

221-4d

..........

al, aa

..........

 

Tin, Sn

118.69

gray, cub

2270

231.968

5.75

acid

..........

 

Toluene or Methyl benzene, C6H5CH3

92.14

..........

110.6, 14.514.5

-95

0.866920/4

al, eth, ace, bz, lig

flammable, toxic

LD50 (rats, oral): 7.53 g/kg

Triphenylmethanol or tritanol, (C6H5)3COH

260.34

pl (al), trg (bz)

380

164.2

1.1990/4

al, eth, ace, bz, aa

 

 

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