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Biphenyl

Athanor · official

C12H10 · 154.21 g/mol

IUPAC name: 1,1'-biphenyl

Also called diphenyl, phenylbenzene, lemonene

Open in Athanor
The structure of Biphenyl
Drawn from its SMILES with RDKit110
Harmful or irritantEnvironmental hazardWarningCauses skin irritation · Causes serious eye irritation · May cause respiratory irritation · Very toxic to aquatic life · Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Names and identifiers

IUPAC name
1,1'-biphenyl
Synonyms
diphenyl, phenylbenzene, lemonene
+ 37 more

1,1'-Biphenyl, Phenylbenzene, DIPHENYL, Bibenzene, Lemonene, Xenene, 1,1'-Diphenyl, Phenador-X, Tetrosin LY, Carolid AL, PHPH, FEMA No. 3129, DTXSID4020161, 2L9GJK6MGN, MCS 1572, CP 390, E230, NSC-14916, DTXCID60161, CHEBI:17097, phenyl benzene, RefChem:119909, 202-163-5, Biphenyl [BSI:ISO], DIPHENYL-4-D1, NSC 14916, MFCD00003054, CHEMBL14092, BNL, Caswell No. 087, CAS-92-52-4, CCRIS 935, 1,1-Biphenyl, HSDB 530, diphenyl, 14C-labeled, EINECS 202-163-5, UNII-2L9GJK6MGN

Molecular formula
C12H10
Empirical formula
C6H5
Molecular weight
154.21 g/mol
Exact mass
154.07825
CAS number
92-52-4
PubChem CID
7095
Canonical SMILES
C1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=CC=CC=C2
Isomeric SMILES
C1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=CC=CC=C2
InChI
InChI=1S/C12H10/c1-3-7-11(8-4-1)12-9-5-2-6-10-12/h1-10H
InChIKey
ZUOUZKKEUPVFJK-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Molfile

Names, InChI and the identifiers from PubChem, retrieved 2026-10-14.

Physical properties

TemperaturePressureDensity
Appearance
White scales[6]
7 values

From Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–Biphenyl appears as a clear colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. Flash point 180 °F. Insoluble in water. Vapors are heavier than air. Used to manufacture other chemicals and as a fungicide.[1] CAMEO Chemicals
–Liquid[2] EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
–WHITE CRYSTALS OR FLAKES WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–Colorless to pale-yellow solid with a pleasant, characteristic odor.[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
–Colorless to pale-yellow solid with a pleasant, characteristic odor. [fungicide][5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
–shownWhite scales[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 13th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1997., p. 410
–Pure biphenyl is a white crystalline solid that separates from solvents as plates or monoclinic prismatic crystals. Commercial samples are often slightly yellow or tan in color.[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present., p. V4: 223 (1992)
Odor
Pleasant, butter-like[6]
2 values

From Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–... Pleasant, characteristic odor.[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards & Other Databases. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control & Prevention. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001-145 (CD-ROM) August 2001.
–shownPleasant, butter-like[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Cain WS et al; Reference Guide to Odor Thresholds for Hazardous Air Pollutants Listed in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Washington,DC: Off Health Environ Assess, Environ Protect Agency, Report 1992, ECAO-R-0397, USEPA/600/R-92/047 (NTIS PB92-239516) (1993)
Melting point
68.93 °C[7]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
69 to 71 °C156 to 160 °F (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
70 °C70 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
69 °C156 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
68.9 °Cshown68.93 °C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
69 °C156 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Boiling point
254 to 255 °C (489 to 491 °F) at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)[1]
5 values

3 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
254 to 255 °Cshown489 to 491 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
256 °C256 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
254 °C489 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
256.1 °C256.1 °C @760 [mm Hg][7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
254 °C489 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Density
1.04 @ 20°C[7]
5 values

4 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
–0.992 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
–Relative density (water = 1): 1.04[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–1.04[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
–shown1.04 @ 20°C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
–1.04[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

1 more value was reported but failed the checks (unreadable or out of range), so it is not shown.

Solubility in water
Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 0.0004[3]
6 values

From ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative source here.

ValueAs writtenSource
–Insoluble (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
–Soluble in ethanol, ethyl ether; very soluble in benzene, carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide, and methanol.[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lide, D.R., G.W.A. Milne (eds.). Handbook of Data on Organic Compounds. Volume I. 3rd ed. CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton ,FL. 1994., p. V2: 1676
–Soluble in oxygenated and chlorinated solvents.[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Ashford, R.D. Ashford's Dictionary of Industrial Chemicals. London, England: Wavelength Publications Ltd., 1994., p. 126
–In water, 7.48 mg/L at 25 °C[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Yalkowsky, S.H., He, Yan., Handbook of Aqueous Solubility Data: An Extensive Compilation of Aqueous Solubility Data for Organic Compounds Extracted from the AQUASOL dATAbASE. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, FL. 2003., p. 584
–shownSolubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 0.0004[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
–Insoluble[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
log P
3.16/4.09[3]
2 values

Sources disagree; from ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), the most authoritative.

ValueAs writtenSource
–log Kow = 4.01[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Hansch, C., Leo, A., D. Hoekman. Exploring QSAR - Hydrophobic, Electronic, and Steric Constants. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society., 1995., p. 97
–shown3.16/4.09[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Vapor pressure
8.93 × 10⁻³ mmHg at 25 °C[6]
3 values

2 of 3 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
0.00893 mmHgshown8.93X10-3 mm Hg at 25 °C[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Burkhard LP et al; J Chem Eng Data 29: 248-50 (1984)
0.0089 mmHgVapor pressure, Pa at 25 °C: 1.19[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
0.75 mmHg0.75 [mm Hg] @69 °C[7] PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy

3 more values were reported but failed the checks (unreadable or out of range), so they are not shown.

Flash point
113 °C c.c.[3]
5 values

5 of 5 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
113 °C235 °F (NTP, 1992)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites National Toxicology Program, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NTP). 1992. National Toxicology Program Chemical Repository Database. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
113 °C235 °F, 113 °C, (Closed cup)[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 13 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 2002., p. 325-19
113 °Cshown113 °C c.c.[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
113 °C235 °F[4] Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
113 °C235 °F[5] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Autoignition temperature
540 °C (1004 °F)[6]
3 values

3 of 3 sources agree on it (most common value).

ValueAs writtenSource
540 °C1004 °F (USCG, 1999)[1] CAMEO Chemicalscites U.S. Coast Guard. 1999. Chemical Hazard Response Information System (CHRIS) - Hazardous Chemical Data. Commandant Instruction 16465.12C. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
540 °Cshown1004 °F[6] Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)cites Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 407
540 °C540 °C[3] ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Viscosity
Reported, but no value passed the checks.
The value and why
  • 0.98 cSt at 100 °C (could not be read; source [6])

Each value as its source reports it, with the source's number after it (listed under References). Where several sources report a property, the row shows the value most of them agree on, the rule the app uses; open the values to see every one.

Calculated

Heavy atoms
12
Rings
2
Aromatic rings
2
Fraction sp³ carbons (Fsp3)
0
H-bond donors
0
H-bond acceptors
0
Rotatable bonds
1
TPSA (Ų)
0
Formal charge
0
XLogP3
4 PubChem
Complexity
100 PubChem
Stereocenters
None
Double-bond geometry
None specified
Point group
D2 of one 3D conformer with its hydrogens, by Athanor’s engine (as in the app)

Elemental analysis

  • C93.46%
  • H6.54%

Isotope pattern

100%154.07813%155.082156.085

Each peak is a nominal mass with its abundance-weighted exact mass, as a percentage of the tallest, from IUPAC natural isotope abundances.

Computed from the structure with RDKit 2026.09 when this page was built, beside PubChem's own computed values from its record; where the two differ, both are shown.

Predicted

log P
3.35 Crippen (Wildman and Crippen 1999)
log S (water solubility)
-3.58 ESOL (Delaney 2004), log mol/L
Synthetic accessibility
1 SA score, 1 easy to 10 hard (Ertl and Schuffenhauer 2009)

Drug-likeness: Lipinski’s rule of five

  • Molecular weight ≤ 500: 154.21
  • log P ≤ 5 (Crippen): 3.35
  • H-bond donors ≤ 5: 0
  • H-bond acceptors ≤ 10: 0

Passes all four rules.

¹³C NMR shifts, predicted

Predictions, not measurements; each names its method. A measured log P, where a source reports one, is under Physical properties.

Safety

Warning

Harmonized EU classification (CLP Annex VI). Source [8].

  • Harmful or irritant
  • Environmental hazard
110
NFPA 704[6]
  • H315Causes skin irritation
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation
  • H400Very toxic to aquatic life
  • H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements: P261, P264, P264+P265, P271, P273, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P391, P403+P233, P405, P501

View all classifications (3)
  • [8] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · WarningH315, H319, H335, H400, H410
  • [9] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 0.9% (11 of 1263) of reports.
  • [9] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · 1,263 reports · DangerH315, H319, H330, H335, H400, H410

Exposure limits

  • PEL-TWA (8-Hour Time Weighted Average): 0.2 ppm (1 mg/m³)[4]
  • PEL: TWA 1 mg/m3 (0.2 ppm)[5]
  • TLV: 0.2 ppm as TWA.[3]
  • IDLH: 100 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2024)[1]
  • IDLH: 100 mg/cu m[6]
  • IDLH: 100 mg/m³[4]

First aid

  • Eyes: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. Immediately transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. Skin: Immediately flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing.[1]
  • (General first aid procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Skin: Water flush immediately - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately flush the contaminated skin with water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and flush the skin with water.[5]
  • Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.[3]
  • Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.[3]

Storage

  • Separated from food and feedstuffs and oxidants. Provision to contain effluent from fire extinguishing. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.[3]
  • Materials... Toxic as stored or which can decompose into toxic components... Should be stored in a cool... Ventilated place, out of... Sun, away from fire hazard... (and) be periodically inspected. ...Incompatible materials should be isolated...[6]

Incompatibilities

  • Reacts with oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard.[6]
  • Dust explosion possible if in powder form, mixed with air.[6]
  • Oxidizers[5]

Safety data sheets on the supplier’s page: Sigma-Aldrich, CATO Research Chemicals Inc., LGC Standards.

Always read the supplier’s safety data sheet before working with it.

Spectra

Experimental spectra held by these sources; each link opens the source's own record.

Literature

Reading PubChem, OpenAlex and GSRS…

Bioactivity

Reading ChEMBL…

References

  1. [1]CAMEO Chemicals · Public domain (NOAA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  2. [2]EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) · Public domain (US EPA) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  3. [3]ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  4. [4]Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) · Public domain (US DOL) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  5. [5]The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) · Public domain (US CDC) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  6. [6]Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) · Public domain (US NLM) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  7. [7]PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy · Public domain (US DOE) · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  8. [8]Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council · EU reuse policy, CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  9. [9]European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) · ECHA legal notice: reuse with acknowledgement · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  10. [10]NMRShiftDB · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  11. [11]Human Metabolome Database (HMDB) · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  12. [12]SpectraBase · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  13. [13]MassBank Europe · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  14. [14]MassBank of North America (MoNA) · CC BY 4.0 · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  15. [15]NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center · Linked only · via PubChem · retrieved 2026-10-14
  16. ·Calculated values: computed by Athanor with RDKit 2026.09 from the structure.
  17. ·Literature on PubChem

Data last updated 2026-10-14.