Chemical Properties
There are multiple isomeric terphenyls, all having the formula C6H5-C6H4-C6H5. Pure terphenyl is a white, crystalline solid. The commercial grades are light yellow. All three isomers are unusually stable toward heat.
Uses
Coolant for heat exchange in nuclear
reactors
Health Hazard
Terphenyls are irritants of the
eyes, mucous membranes, and skin.
Flammability and Explosibility
Non flammable
Safety Profile
Moderately toxic by ingestion. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame. To fight fire, use water, CO2, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.
Potential Exposure
Terphenyl is used primarily as a plasticizer and heat transfer agent. It is also used as a high-temperature lubricant; a constituent of waxes and polishes; as a plasticizer for resinbodied paints; as a coolant and heat storage agent.
Shipping
UN3151 Polyhalogenated biphenyls, liquid or Polyhalogenated terphenyls liquid, Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-Miscellaneous hazardous material. UN3152 Polyhalogenated biphenyls, solid or Polyhalogenated terphenylssolid, Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-Miscellaneous hazardous material.
Incompatibilities
Materials are combustible. Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides.
Waste Disposal
Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed.
