Decalin

1Identification

Name

Decalin

IUPAC name

1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-decahydronaphthalene

CAS number

91-17-8

EC number

202-046-9

Molecular formula

C10H18

Molecular weight

138.25 g/mol

InChIKey

NNBZCPXTIHJBJL-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES

C1CCC2CCCCC2C1

PubChem CID

7044

Synonyms

Decalin, Naphthan, Dekalin, Perhydronaphthalene, Naphthalene, decahydro-, Naphthalane, Naphthane, Dekalina, Bicyclo[4.4.0]decane, Decahydronaphthalin, Bicyclo(4.4.0)decane, RefChem:585323, cis-Decahydronaphthalene, trans-Decahydronaphthalene

Recommended uses

• Used as a solvent for naphthalene, fats, resins, oils, waxes, rubber, lacquers, shoe polishes, floor waxes, and lubricants; Used as a motor fuel additive, metal cleaner, spot remover, and stove fuel; [HSDB]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Metal Degreasing [Category: Clean] Painting (Solvents) [Category: Paint]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Used as a solvent for naphthalene, fats, resins, oils, waxes, lacquers, shoe polishes, and floor waxes; Also used as a lubricant additive and fuel; [Merck Index]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Solvent Fuel
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
• Solvent
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)

Description

• Decahydronaphthalene appears as a clear colorless liquid with an aromatic odor. Flash point 134 °F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors heavier than air.
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Decalin is an ortho-fused bicyclic hydrocarbon that is the decahydro- derivative of naphthalene. It has a role as a solvent.
  ChEBI
• RN given refers to cpd without isomeric designation; don't confuse with decaline which has a nitrogen at the juncture of the two rings;
  Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

2Hazard identification

Signal word

Danger

Pictograms

GHS02, GHS05, GHS06, GHS07, GHS08, GHS09

Classification source

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Precautionary statements

Other reported classifications

6 classification records exist across sources. Differences usually reflect purity, physical form or impurities.

NFPA 704 rating

• 1 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause significant irritation.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 2 - Materials that must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur. Materials would not under normal conditions form hazardous atmospheres with air, but under high ambient temperatures or under moderate heating could release vapor in sufficient quantities to produce hazardous atmospheres with air.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Health hazards

• Inhalation or ingestion irritates nose and throat, causes numbness, headache, vomiting; urine may become blue. Irritates eyes. Liquid de-fats skin and causes cracking and secondary infection; eczema may develop. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• · May cause toxic effects if inhaled or absorbed through skin. · Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. · Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. · Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas. · Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
  Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

Fire hazards

• Excerpt from ERG Guide 130 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]: HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids will float on water. (ERG, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• · HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. · Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. · Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. · Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). · Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. · Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. · Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. · Containers may explode when heated. · Many liquids will float on water.
  Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
• Flammable. Above 57 °C explosive vapour/air mixtures may be formed.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Hazards summary

• Causes liver and kidney injury in animal experiments; [HSDB] Defats skin and irritates nose and throat; [CAMEO] A skin and eye irritant; [Hawley] Causes CNS effects; [ICSC] See cis-Decahydronaphthalene.
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Causes burns; Inhalation may cause corrosive injuries to upper respiratory tract; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] See Decahydronaphthalene.
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases

3Composition / information on ingredients

This page describes the pure substance. Commercial products may be solutions or mixtures. Check Section 3 of your supplier's SDS for concentrations and other ingredients.

4First-aid measures

• INHALATION: remove to fresh air. EYES: flush with water for at least 15 min. SKIN: wash with water and mild soap. INGESTION: give emetic such as warm salt water, followed by a mild cathartic; direct physician to conserve liver and kidney function. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• General First Aid: · Call 911 or emergency medical service. · Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination. · Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. · Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. · If victim is not breathing: -- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance. -- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other device).
  Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

Symptoms of exposure

• Cough. Sore throat. Headache. Dizziness. Nausea. Vomiting.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Redness. Pain. Skin burns.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Redness. Pain. Severe deep burns.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

5Fire-fighting measures

• TO FIGHT FIRE USE FOAM, CARBON DIOXIDE, DRY CHEMICAL.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Solid streams of water may spread fire. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Hazardous combustion products

• Hazardous combustion or decomposition products. Toxic fumes of: Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

6Accidental release measures

Isolation and evacuation

• Excerpt from ERG Guide 130 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]: IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions. LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet). FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Immediate precautionary measure · Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions. Large Spill · Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet). Fire · If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.
  Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

Spill cleanup

• Personal protection: chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Ventilation. Collect leaking liquid in sealable containers. Carefully collect remainder. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

7Handling and storage

• Fireproof. Separated from oxidants. Cool. Keep in the dark. Well closed.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Handle and store under Nitrogen. ...Potentially explosive peroxides can form on long time storage in contact with air. Light and heat accelerate peroxide /formation/.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

8Exposure controls / personal protection

No occupational exposure limits found in our sources.

Personal protective equipment

• Air mask or self-contained breathing apparatus if in enclosed tank; rubber gloves or protective cream; goggles or face shield. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Personnel protection: ... Wear appropriate chemical protective gloves, boots and goggles.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• /NIOSH approved respirators/ ... or self contained breathing apparatus if in enclosed tank; ... protective cream ... face shield.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

9Physical and chemical properties

10Stability and reactivity

Reactivity

• Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as DECAHYDRONAPHTHALENE, may be incompatible with strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid. Charring of the hydrocarbon may occur followed by ignition of unreacted hydrocarbon and other nearby combustibles. In other settings, aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons are mostly unreactive. They are not affected by aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, most oxidizing agents, and most reducing agents. Oxidizes readily in air to form unstable peroxides that may explode spontaneously [Bretherick, 1979 p.151-154].
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Flammable. Insoluble in water.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

• ... Can react with oxidizing materials.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Chemical stability

• On long exposure to air forms dangerous concentration of peroxide.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

11Toxicological information

Short-term exposure effects

• The substance is corrosive to the skin and eyes. The vapour is irritating to the respiratory tract. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system. If this liquid is swallowed, aspiration into the lungs may result in chemical pneumonitis.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Long-term exposure effects

• Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

12Ecological information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 12 of the supplier's SDS.

13Disposal considerations

• 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.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

14Transport information

UN number: UN 1147

Shipping name

• UN 1147; Decahydronaphthalene
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• IMO 3.3; Decahydronaphthalene
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

DOT hazard class

• Decahydronaphthalene
  US Code of Federal Regulations, Hazardous Materials, 49 CFR Part 172
• UN1147
  US Code of Federal Regulations, Hazardous Materials, 49 CFR Part 172
• Class 3 Flammable and combustible liquid (49 eCFR § 173.120)
  US Code of Federal Regulations, Hazardous Materials, 49 CFR Part 172

DOT label

• Flammable Liquid
  CAMEO Chemicals

UN classification

• UN Hazard Class: 3; UN Pack Group: III
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Emergency Response Guidebook

• 1147 130
  Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

How DOT hazard classes work →

15Regulatory information

No specific US regulatory listings found in our sources. Check Section 15 of your supplier's SDS for TSCA, SARA 313, CERCLA, Prop 65 and state listings.

Overview of SDS regulations (OSHA HazCom, WHMIS, REACH/CLP) →

16Other information

Compiled from PubChem CID 7044 and the sources it aggregates (attributed inline). Data retrieved 2026-10-12. This summary describes the pure substance and is not a supplier SDS.