1-Hexadecanol SDS/MSDS (Safety Data Sheet)

3.1 Substances
Product name: 1-Hexadecanol
CAS Number: 36653-82-4
PubChem CID: 2682
Molecular formula: C16H34O
Molecular weight: 242.44 g/mol
IUPAC name: hexadecan-1-ol

3.2 Mixtures
Not applicable (pure substance).

4.1 Description of first aid measures
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Skin contact: Wash with plenty of soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.
Eye contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Seek medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed by medical personnel. Seek medical attention.

4.2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
See Section 11 (Toxicological Information).

4.3 Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
Treat symptomatically. Contact a poison control center or physician for severe exposure.

5.1 Extinguishing media
Suitable: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide (CO2), alcohol-resistant foam.
Unsuitable: None known.

5.2 Specific hazards arising from the substance or mixture
To fight fire, use foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical.

5.3 Advice for firefighters
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective clothing.
Fight fire from upwind. Cool containers with water spray until fire is extinguished.
Flash point: 175 °C

6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (see Section 8).
Avoid breathing dust/vapor. Ensure adequate ventilation.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Keep people away from and upwind of spill.

6.2 Environmental precautions
Prevent product from entering drains, waterways, or soil.
Contain spill with inert absorbent material.

6.3 Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
AEROBIC: In a 5-day incubation study using an activated sludge seed from a municipal sewage treatment plant, 28.0% of initial 1-hexadecanol was mineralized (CO2 measurement)(1). A theoretical BOD of 0% was observed using the AFNOR (the French norm procedure) screening test and a 5-day incubation period(2). In standard 5-day BOD tests using emulsified 1-hexadecanol, 30-60% of initial 1-hexadecanol was oxidized(3). In studies designed to examine the biodegradability of 1-hexadecanol in thin films (monolayer) on water surfaces, it was found that biological destruction of the monolayer resulted in measurable consumption of the material with all substrates that were tested; substrates included 2% settled domestic sewage in BOD dilution water, 50% Ohio River water + 50% BOD dilution water, water from a stock pond near San Antonio, TX, and other combinations of BOD dilution water and mineral supplements; oxidation rates varied with substrates; oxidation rates varied from 6.2 to 14.3% over incubation periods of 20 to 48 days(3). In Warburg respirometer tests using activated sludge and 500 mg/L of 1-hexadecanol (well above its aqueous solubility), the theoretical oxygen demand was only 0.4% after a 12-hr incubation period(4). In static culture tests examining the disappearance of 1-hexadecanol in seeded media as compared to unseeded control media over a 10-day incubation period, almost none disappeared from the control media while nearly 20% disappeared from the seeded media; in shake flask tests using seeded media and a fine granular form of 1-hexadecanol, the initial 1-hexadecanol concn of 100 mg/L decreased to only 0.25 mg/L after 30 days of incubation; the overall results of the study concluded that given sufficient time in contact with adapted microbial species under conditions otherwise non-limiting, the complete disappearance of 1-hexadecanol as an identifiable molecular species will occur; one limiting condition is the relative insolubility of 1-hexadecanol in water; it was found that microbial growth occurs more rapidly when the 1-hexadecanol substrate is added in dissolved form (eg hexane solution)(5).
ANAEROBIC: The anaerobic degradation of 14-C-labeled 1-hexadecanol was studied in model sludge digester over a 28-day incubation period(1); 25.1% of radioactivity was recovered in methane gas and 72.0% was recovered in CO2 gas(1).
SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

7.1 Precautions for safe handling
In general, materials which are toxic as stored or which can decompose into toxic components ... should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated place, out of direct rays of the sun, away from areas of high fire hazard, and should be periodically inspected ... incompatible materials should be isolated from each other.

7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
In general, materials which are toxic as stored or which can decompose into toxic components ... should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated place, out of direct rays of the sun, away from areas of high fire hazard, and should be periodically inspected ... incompatible materials should be isolated from each other.
Store away from incompatible materials (see Section 10).
[Note: Specific storage temperature not available in public databases. Refer to supplier Certificate of Analysis (COA) for exact storage conditions.]
Store in original container. Keep upright to prevent leakage.

9.1 Information on basic physical and chemical properties
a) Appearance: Liquid; Wet Solid; Other Solid; Liquid; Dry Powder; Other Solid
b) Odor: Faint odor
c) Odor threshold: No data available
d) pH: No data available
e) Melting point/freezing point: 49.3 °C
f) Initial boiling point and boiling range: 334 °C at 760 mm Hg
g) Flash point: 175 °C
h) Evaporation rate: No data available
i) Flammability (solid, gas): No data available
j) Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: No data available
k) Vapor pressure: 0.00000306 [mmHg]
l) Vapor density: No data available
m) Relative density: 0.8187 at 50 °C/4 °C
n) Water solubility: Insoluble
o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Log P (n-octanol/water): 7.3
p) Auto-ignition temperature: No data available
q) Decomposition temperature: No data available
r) Viscosity: 53 mPa-s (=cP) at 75 °C
s) Explosive properties: No data available
t) Oxidizing properties: No data available

9.2 Other information
Topological Polar Surface Area (TPSA): 20.2 Ų
Complexity: 123

11.1 Information on toxicological effects
Acute toxicity:
No acute toxicity data available.
Skin corrosion/irritation:
No data available.
Serious eye damage/eye irritation:
Causes serious eye irritation (H319).
Respiratory or skin sensitization:
No data available.
Germ cell mutagenicity:
No data available.
Carcinogenicity:
No data available.
Reproductive toxicity:
No data available.
Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure):
No data available.
Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure):
No data available.
Aspiration hazard:
No data available.

11.2 Additional information
Carcinogen classification:
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Data source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) via PubChem.

12.1 Toxicity
EC50 Scenedesmus subspicatus (Algae) 676 mg/L/72 hr; Effect: cell multiplication inhibition test
1-Hexadecanol's production and use in perfumery, foam stabilizer in detergents, cosmetics, chemical intermediate, detergents, and pharmaceuticals may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. Its use to retard evaporation of water from reservoirs and growing plants will result in its direct release to the environment. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 6X10-6 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates 1-hexadecanol will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the atmosphere. Vapor-phase 1-hexadecanol will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 16 hours. Particulate-phase 1-hexadecanol will be removed from the atmosphere by wet or dry deposition. If released to soil, 1-hexadecanol is expected to have no mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 25,000. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.6X10-2 atm-cu m/mole. However, adsorption to soil is expected to attenuate volatilization. Various biological screening studies have demonstrated that 1-hexadecanol biodegrades both aerobically and anaerobically. If released into water, 1-hexadecanol is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon the estimated Koc. Volatilization from water surfaces i

12.2 Persistence and degradability
No data available.

12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
Log P (n-octanol/water): 7.3
Potential for bioaccumulation exists (Log P > 3).

12.4 Mobility in soil
No data available.

12.5 Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
PBT/vPvB assessment not available.

12.6 Other adverse effects
No other adverse ecological effects identified.

13.1 Waste treatment methods
Waste Treatment Methods: Waste material must be disposed of in accordance with national and local regulations. Leave chemicals in original containers and do not mix with other waste. Handle uncleaned containers in the same manner as the product itself.

14.1 UN number
Not regulated as dangerous goods (research quantities typically exempt).

14.2 UN proper shipping name
Not subject to transport regulations (small quantities for research use).

14.3 Transport hazard class(es)
Not classified as dangerous goods for transport (research quantities).

14.4 Packing group
Not applicable (not regulated as dangerous goods in typical research quantities).

14.5 Environmental hazards
Marine pollutant: No (not classified as environmentally hazardous per GHS).

14.6 Special precautions for user
Transport in original packaging. Ensure containers are tightly sealed.
For bulk or commercial quantities, consult applicable transport regulations (DOT, IATA, IMDG).

14.7 Transport in bulk according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code
Not applicable.

15.1 Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
US EPA / TSCA: Subject to EPA TSCA regulations
EU ECHA / REACH: Registered (REACH Active)

SARA 302 Components:
No chemicals in this material are subject to the reporting requirements of SARA Title III, Section 302.
SARA 313 Components:
This material does not contain any chemical components with known CAS numbers that exceed the threshold (De Minimis) reporting levels established by SARA Title III, Section 313.
SARA 311/312 Hazards:
Acute (short-term) health hazard

Massachusetts Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Massachusetts Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
Pennsylvania Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
New Jersey Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the New Jersey Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.

California Prop. 65 Components:
This product does not contain any chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or any other reproductive harm.

Other regulatory listings:
- The Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals: Chemical: Hexadecanol
- The Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals: Chemical: 1-Hexadecanol
- FIFRA Requirements: As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their future use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines health and safety data for pesticide active
- FDA Requirements: Diluents in color additive mixtures for food use exempt from certification. The following substances may be safely used as diluents in color additive mixtures for food use exempt from certification, subject to the condition that each straight color in the mixture has been exempted from certification

15.2 Chemical safety assessment
A chemical safety assessment has not been carried out for this substance.
For research-use-only compounds, no CSA is required under REACH Annex I.

Revision Date: 2026/09/09
Further Information: The information provided is believed to be correct but is not exhaustive and should be used only as a guideline based on current knowledge. It does not represent a guarantee of the properties of the product. Selleck Chemicals Corporation and its Affiliates shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or contact with the product.