Benzethonium Chloride SDS/MSDS (Safety Data Sheet)

3.1 Substances
Product name: Benzethonium Chloride
CAS Number: 121-54-0
PubChem CID: 8478
Molecular formula: C27H42ClNO2
Molecular weight: 448.1 g/mol
IUPAC name: benzyl-dimethyl-[2-[2-[4-(2,4,4-trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]azanium chloride

3.2 Mixtures
Not applicable (pure substance).

4.1 Description of first aid measures
Inhalation: Fresh air, rest.
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.
Eye contact: First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for 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
Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)
Use water spray, powder.
Alcohol foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical, water fog /Hyamine cmpd/

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.

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.
WARNING: Highly toxic — only trained personnel should handle spills.

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

7.1 Precautions for safe handling
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, you should dampen the solid spill material with water, then transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with water to pick up any remaining material. Seal your contaminated clothing and the absorbent paper in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Wash all contaminated surfaces 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.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should protect this chemical from exposure to light. Keep the container tightly closed under an inert atmosphere, and store under refrigerated temperatures. (NTP, 1992)
Separated from food and feedstuffs. Store in an area without drain or sewer access. Dry.
... SOLUTIONS SHOULD BE STORED IN DISTINCTIVE BOTTLES (NEVER IN SOFT DRINK BOTTLES) IN A SAFE PLACE. /CATIONIC DETERGENTS/
IN GENERAL, MATERIALS WHICH ARE TOXIC AS STORED OR WHICH CAN DECOMP 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, & SHOULD BE PERIODICALLY INSPECTED ... . INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS SHOULD BE ISOLATED FROM EACH OTHER.

7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Separated from food and feedstuffs. Store in an area without drain or sewer access. Dry.
... SOLUTIONS SHOULD BE STORED IN DISTINCTIVE BOTTLES (NEVER IN SOFT DRINK BOTTLES) IN A SAFE PLACE. /CATIONIC DETERGENTS/
IN GENERAL, MATERIALS WHICH ARE TOXIC AS STORED OR WHICH CAN DECOMP 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, & 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.]

9.1 Information on basic physical and chemical properties
a) Appearance: Benzethonium chloride appears as odorless white crystals or powder with a very bitter taste. A 1% solution in water is slightly alkaline to litmus. (NTP, 1992)
b) Odor: MILD ODOR
c) Odor threshold: No data available
d) pH: PH OF 1% AQ SOLN IS BETWEEN 4.8 & 5.5
e) Melting point/freezing point: 327 to 331 °F (NTP, 1992)
f) Initial boiling point and boiling range: No data available
g) Flash point: No data available
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: No data available
l) Vapor density: No data available
m) Relative density: No data available
n) Water solubility: 10 to 50 mg/mL at 64 °F (NTP, 1992)
o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Log P: No data available
p) Auto-ignition temperature: No data available
q) Decomposition temperature: No data available
r) Viscosity: No data available
s) Explosive properties: No data available
t) Oxidizing properties: No data available

9.2 Other information
Topological Polar Surface Area (TPSA): 18.5 Ų
Complexity: 466

11.1 Information on toxicological effects
Acute toxicity:
No acute toxicity data available.
Skin corrosion/irritation:
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage (H314).
Serious eye damage/eye irritation:
Causes serious eye damage (H318).
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:
Benzethonium Chloride
TR-438: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Benzethonium Chloride (CASRN 121-54-0) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Dermal Studies) (1995 )
06/21/94
No Evidence
No Evidence
No Evidence
No Evidence
Under the conditions of these 2-year dermal studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of benzethonium chloride in male or female F344/N rats receiving 0.15, 0.5, or 1.5 mg/kg. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity in male or female B6C3F1 mice receiving
Exposure routes:
The substance can be absorbed into the body through the skin and by ingestion.
Signs and symptoms of exposure:
Redness. Pain.
Redness. Blurred vision. Pain. Severe burns.
Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhoea. Convulsions. Shock or collapse.
Data source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) via PubChem.

12.1 Toxicity
LC50 Pimephales promelas 1600 ug/l/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/
LC50 Lepomis macrochirus 1400 ug/l/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/
LC50 Oncorhynchus kisutch 53000 ug/l/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/
The substance is toxic to aquatic organisms. It is strongly advised not to let the chemical enter into the environment.
CATIONIC SURFACTANTS HAD NOBACTERIOSTATIC OR BACTERIOLYTIC ACTION ON HETEROTROPHIC BACTERIAL POPULATION ISOLATED FROM SEWAGE & RIVER WATERS, CYCLICAL ALKYLAMMONIUM CMPD ARE NOT DEGRADED.
Biodegradation: at 18 mg/l no degradation after 28 days by nonadapted sewage.

12.2 Persistence and degradability
No data available.

12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
No data available.

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
This substance is classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment.

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: Yes (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
Environmental 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: Benzenemethanaminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-[2-[2-[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]-, chloride
- California Safe Cosmetics Program (CSCP) Reportable Ingredient: Hazard Traits - Hazard Trait Undefined Authoritative List - CECBP - Priority Chemicals Report - if used as a fragrance or flavor ingredient
- FDA Requirements: Manufacturers, packers, and distributors of drug and drug products for human use are responsible for complying with the labeling, certification, and usage requirements as prescribed by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended (secs 201-902, 52 Stat. 1040 et seq., as amended; 21 U.S.C. 32

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.