Methyl salicylate SDS/MSDS (Safety Data Sheet)

3.1 Substances
Product name: Methyl salicylate
CAS Number: 119-36-8
PubChem CID: 4133
Molecular formula: C8H8O3
Molecular weight: 152.15 g/mol
IUPAC name: methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate

3.2 Mixtures
Not applicable (pure substance).

4.1 Description of first aid measures
Inhalation: Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.
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. Refer immediately 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
Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Emits toxic fumes under fire conditions.
Fire Extinguishing Agents: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical, alcohol foam. (USCG, 1999)
Use water spray, powder, alcohol-resistant foam, carbon dioxide.
WATER, 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: 205 °F (NTP, 1992)

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
Personal protection: protective gloves, protective clothing and safety goggles. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers as far as possible. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.
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.

7.1 Precautions for safe handling
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION. Then, use absorbent paper to pick up all liquid spill material. Your contaminated clothing and absorbent paper should be sealed 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.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should store this material under ambient temperatures. (NTP, 1992)
Separated from strong oxidants and strong bases.
METHYL SALICYLATE SHOULD BE STORED AND DISPENSED IN TIGHT CONTAINERS.

7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Separated from strong oxidants and strong bases.
METHYL SALICYLATE SHOULD BE STORED AND DISPENSED IN TIGHT CONTAINERS.
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: Methyl salicylate appears as colorless yellowish or reddish liquid with odor of wintergreen. (USCG, 1999)
b) Odor: LIQUID HAVING THE CHARACTERISTIC ODOR OF WINTERGREEN
c) Odor threshold: No data available
d) pH: No data available
e) Melting point/freezing point: 16.5 °F (NTP, 1992)
f) Initial boiling point and boiling range: 432 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
g) Flash point: 205 °F (NTP, 1992)
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: 0.0975 mmHg at 68 °F ; 1 mmHg at 129 °F (NTP, 1992)
l) Vapor density: No data available
m) Relative density: 1.174 (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
n) Water solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 66 °F (NTP, 1992)
o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Log P (n-octanol/water): 2.3
p) Auto-ignition temperature: 847 °F (USCG, 1999)
q) Decomposition temperature: No data available
r) Viscosity: 1.535 mPa*s at 25 °C
s) Explosive properties: No data available
t) Oxidizing properties: No data available

9.2 Other information
Topological Polar Surface Area (TPSA): 46.5 Ų
Complexity: 144

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:
May cause an allergic skin reaction (H317).
Germ cell mutagenicity:
No data available.
Carcinogenicity:
No data available.
Reproductive toxicity:
Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (H361).
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).
Exposure routes:
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion.
Signs and symptoms of exposure:
Cough. Sore throat.
Redness.
Nausea. Vomiting. Ringing in the ears. Symptoms may appear if large amounts are accidentally ingested. See Effects of short-term exposure
Data source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) via PubChem.

12.1 Toxicity
The substance is harmful to aquatic organisms.
Methyl salicylate is produced in significant quantities and may be released to the environment during its production, transport, disposal, and use in perfumes and sunburn lotions and in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals. It is also a plant volatile and will be released by some plants. In soil, methyl salicylate is likely to biodegrade. In alkaline soil, chemical hydrolysis may contribute to its disappearance. It may also undergo direct photolysis on the soil surface. Methyl salicylate is expected to be fairly mobile in soil. It should partially volatilize from dry soil. If released in water, methyl salicylate should slowly volatilize (half-life 49 days in a model river), biodegrade, and be lost as a result of direct photolysis and photooxidation in surface waters. In alkaline water, hydrolysis may also be a significant fate process (estimated half-life 14 days at pH 7.5). Methyl salicylate is not likely to bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms. Methyl salicylate will react with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere resulting in as estimated half-life of 1.4 days. It is fairly soluble in water and may be washed out by rain. Exposure to methyl salicylate will be via ingestion of foods and dermal contact with various consumer products. Occupational exposure will probably be via dermal contact and inhalation. (SRC)
Methyl salicylate occurs in the leaves of Gaulteria procumbens L. Ericacae, in the bark of Betul

12.2 Persistence and degradability
No data available.

12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
Log P (n-octanol/water): 2.3
Low potential for bioaccumulation (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
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: 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
Chronic (long-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: Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, methyl ester
- The Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals: Chemical: Gaultheria procumbens, ext.
- California Safe Cosmetics Program (CSCP) Reportable Ingredient: Hazard Traits - Fragrance Allergen Authoritative List - Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation No. 1223/2009 - Fragrance Allergens Report - if present in a rinse-off cosmetic product at a concentrat
- EFSA Legal Basis: Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 (Repealed by Com. Implementing Reg. (EU) No 872/2012)
- FIFRA Requirements: Residues of wintergreen oil are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a attractant in accordance with good agricultural practices as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest.

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.