Coumarin
Agent Name
Coumarin
CAS Number
91-64-5
Formula
C9-H6-O2
Major Category
Biological Agents
Synonyms
1,2-Benzopyrone; 2-Oxo-1,2-benzopyran; 2-Propenoic acid, 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-, delta-lactone; 2-Propenoic acid, 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-delta-lactone; 2H-1-Benzopyran, 2-oxo-; 2H-1-Benzopyran-2-one; 2H-Benzo(b)pyran-2-one; 3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoic delta-lactone; 5,6-Benzo-alpha-pyrone; Benzo-alpha-pyrone; Cinnamic acid, o-hydroxy-, delta-lactone; Coumarin; Coumarinic anhydride; Coumarinic lactone; Cumarin; Kumarin [Czech]; Rattex; Tonka bean camphor; cis-o-Coumaric acid anhydride; cis-o-Coumarinic acid lactone; o-Coumaric acid lactone; o-Hydroxycinnamic acid lactone; o-Hydroxycinnamic lactone; o-Hydroxyzimtsaure-lacton [German]; [ChemIDplus] UN2811
Category
Plant Toxins
Description
Colorless solid with a vanilla odor; [Hawley] Colorless fine plates; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Occurs naturally in the tonka beans, Cassia, and lavender oils; [Marks, p. 172] Used in soaps, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and rubber products; Also used in the fragrance industry and in the electroplating industry to polish chrome-plated steel; Coumarin banned in US since 1954 as a flavor in food, it may contaminate vanilla imported from Mexico and Caribbean countries; [HSDB] The anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin) is synthesized from 4-hydroxycoumarin and benzalacetone with pyridine as a catalyst; Many coumarins are effective laser dyes; [Ullmann]
Comments
Emergency treatment: "Coumarin"; After an ingestion of 4 grams of coumarin, a patient developed muscle paralysis but no cardiovascular effects; Has liver toxicity in rats, but humans are relatively resistant; Not active as an anti-coagulant; [HSDB] A skin irritant; May be a human carcinogen; [ICSC] May cause narcosis and liver damage; [CAMEO] May cause irritation; Harmful if swallowed: causes liver injury and somnolence; [MSDSonline] Coumarin is a fragrance allergen that causes allergic contact dermatitis. [Marks, p. 168, 172]
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Vapor Pressure
0.00098 mm Hg
Explanatory Notes
Flash point = 150 deg C; [ICSC] The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Toxic solid, organic, n.o.s."
Adverse Effects
Skin Sensitizer
Yes
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
IARC Carcinogen
Not classifiable
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: