ETHYL ETHER
MSDS Number: E2340 --- Effective Date: 06/30/98
1. Product Identification
Synonyms: Ether; ether,anhydrous; Diethyl ether;
1,1'Oxybisethane;ethyl oxide; diethyl oxide; Ethyl ether
anhydrous;
CAS No.: 60-29-7
Molecular Weight: 74.12
Chemical Formula: C2H5OC2H5
Product Codes:
J.T. Baker:
5487, 9238, 9244, 9248, 9250, 9251
Mallinckrodt:
0848, 0852
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
Ingredient CAS No Percent Hazardous
--------------------------------------- ------------ ------- ---------
Diethyl Ether 60-29-7 99 - 100% Yes
3. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
--------------------------
DANGER! EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED,
INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND
RESPIRATORY TRACT. AFFECTS CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 2 - Moderate
Flammability Rating: 4 - Extreme (Flammable)
Reactivity Rating: 2 - Moderate
Contact Rating: 2 - Moderate
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES; CLASS B
EXTINGUISHER
Storage Color Code: Red (Flammable)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Inhalation:
Irritant. General anesthesia by inhalation can occur. Continued exposure
may lead to respiratory failure or death. Early symptoms include irritation
of nose and throat, vomiting, and irregular respiration, followed by
dizziness, drowsiness, and unconsciousness.
Ingestion:
Irritating to the mucous membranes. Ingestion of 1 or 2 ounces may be
fatal. Because of volatility the stomach becomes distended, which may cause
belching. Other symptoms can include vomiting, unconsciousness, and coma.
Skin Contact:
Irritating to the skin and mucous membranes by drying effect. Can cause
dermatitis on prolonged exposure. May be absorbed through skin.
Eye Contact:
May cause irritation, redness and pain. Prolonged exposures to high
concentrations of vapor can cause eye damage.
Chronic Exposure:
Repeated exposures may be habit forming. Prolonged exposures may result in
headache, drowsiness, excitation, and psychic disturbances. Teratogenic
effects are possible.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired liver,
kidney or respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of
this substance. Alcoholic beverage consumption can enhance the toxic
effects of this substance.
4. First Aid Measures
Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If
breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Call a physician.
Ingestion:
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. Never give anything
by mouth to an unconscious person. Call a physician immediately.
Skin Contact:
Remove any contaminated clothing. Wash skin with soap or mild detergent and
water for at least 15 minutes. Call a physician.
Eye Contact:
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention
immediately.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Fire:
Flash point: -45C (-49F) CC
Autoignition temperature: 160C (320F)
Flammable limits in air % by volume:
lel: 1.9; uel: 36.0
Dangerous highly flammable liquid.
Explosion:
Containers may explode when involved in a fire. Above flash point,
vapor-air mixtures are explosive within flammable limits noted above. May
form explosive peroxides on long standing or after exposure to air or
light. May explode when brought in contact with nitric acid. Sensitivity to
mechanical impact: Yes, if peroxides are formed. Sensitive to static
discharge.
Fire Extinguishing Media:
Dry chemical, foam or carbon dioxide. Treat as a flammable gas in a fire
situation. Water spray may be used to keep fire exposed containers cool.
Water is ineffective as an extinguishing agent.
Special Information:
In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved
self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the
pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. This highly flammable
liquid must be kept from sparks, open flame, hot surfaces, and all sources
of heat and ignition. Vapors can flow along surfaces to distant ignition
source and flash back.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Ventilate area of leak or spill. Remove all sources of ignition. Wear
appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8.
Isolate hazard area. Keep unnecessary and unprotected personnel from
entering. Contain and recover liquid when possible. Use non-sparking tools
and equipment. Collect liquid in an appropriate container or absorb with an
inert material (e. g., vermiculite, dry sand, earth), and place in a
chemical waste container. Do not use combustible materials, such as saw
dust. Do not flush to sewer! If a leak or spill has not ignited, use water
spray to disperse the vapors, to protect personnel attempting to stop leak,
and to flush spills away from exposures. US Regulations (CERCLA) require
reporting spills and releases to soil, water and air in excess of
reportable quantities. The toll free number for the US Coast Guard National
Response Center is (800) 424-8802.
J. T. Baker SOLUSORB(R) solvent adsorbent is recommended for spills
of this product.
7. Handling and Storage
Protect against physical damage. Outside or detached storage is preferred.
Inside storage should be in a standard flammable liquids storage room or
cabinet. Separate from oxidizing materials. Storage and use areas should be
No Smoking areas. Bond and ground containers when transferring liquid.
Isolate from other combustible material. Protect from direct sunlight.
Protect against static electricity and lightning for large quantity storage
rooms, protect with automatic sprinkler systems and total flooding carbon
dioxide systems. The reactivity hazard may be increased on longstanding due
to peroxide formation. Ether is subject to peroxide formation in opened
containers and should be protected from exposure to air. When low peroxide
ether is required, use only material from an unopened can. Do not allow to
evaporate to near dryness. Addition of water or appropriate reducing agents
will lessen peroxide formation. Any ether remaining in opened containers
that has not been consumed/used after 2-3 days, should be discarded. Store
At A Temperature Not Exceeding 30C (86F).
DO NOT OPEN Unless Contents Are At Room Temperature (72F) or Below For At
Least 24 Hours. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty
since they retain product residues (vapors, liquid); observe all warnings
and precautions listed for the product.
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
-OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
400 ppm (TWA)
-ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
400 ppm (TWA)
Ventilation System:
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee
exposures below the Airborne Exposure Limits. Local exhaust ventilation is
generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant
at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the general work area.
Please refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of
Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
If the exposure limit is exceeded, a half-face organic vapor respirator may
be worn for up to ten times the exposure limit or the maximum use
concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator
supplier, whichever is lowest. A full-face piece organic vapor respirator
may be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit or the maximum use
concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator
supplier, whichever is lowest. For emergencies or instances where the
exposure levels are not known, use a full-face piece positive-pressure,
air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect
workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres. An organic vapor respirator is
predicted to have a short service life (less than 30 minutes at
concentrations of ten times the TLV/PEL) when used with this material.
Skin Protection:
Wear impervious protective clothing, including boots, gloves, lab coat,
apron or coveralls, as appropriate, to prevent skin contact.
Eye Protection:
Use chemical safety goggles and/or a full face shield where splashing is
possible. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work
area.
Other Control Measures:
Shoes should be conductive and nonsparking.
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance:
Clear, colorless liquid.
Odor:
Sweet, ethereal odor.
Solubility:
8.43% by wt in H2O @ 15C; 6.05% by wt in H2O @ 25C.
Specific Gravity:
0.71 at 20C/4C
pH:
No information found.
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
No information found.
Boiling Point:
35C (95F)
Melting Point:
-123C (-189F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
2.6
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
440 @ 20C (68F) (ether)
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
37.5
10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage. Heat, light, and long
standing contribute to instability. Reacts with air to form explosive
peroxides.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide may form when heated to decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Can react dangerously with acetyl peroxide, liquid oxygen, bromoazide,
chlorine, and strong oxidizers such as nitrites. Avoid heat, flame, other
sources of ignition, and exposure to light, air.
Conditions to Avoid:
Heat, flame, ignition sources, incompatibles, light, and air.
11. Toxicological Information
Toxicological Data:
Oral rat LD50: 1215 mg/kg; investigated as a tumorigen and mutagen;
irritation eye rabbit: 100 mg moderate; skin rabbit 360 mg open mild
Reproductive Toxicity:
See Chronic Health Hazards.
--------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
---NTP Carcinogen---
Ingredient Known Anticipated IARC Category
------------------------------------ ----- ----------- -------------
Diethyl Ether (60-29-7) No No None
12. Ecological Information
Environmental Fate:
When released into the soil, this material is expected to quickly
evaporate. When released into the soil, this material is expected to leach
into groundwater. When released into the soil, this material is not
expected to biodegrade. When released into water, this material is not
expected to biodegrade. When released into the water, this material is
expected to have a half-life of less than 1 day. When released to water,
this material is expected to quickly evaporate. This material is not
expected to significantly bioaccumulate. This material has a log
octanol-water partition coefficient of less than 3.0. When released into
the air, this material is expected to be readily degraded by reaction with
photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals. When released into the air,
this material is not expected to be degraded by photolysis. When released
into the air, this material is expected to have a half-life between 1 and
10 days.
Environmental Toxicity:
The LC50/96-hour values for fish are over 100 mg/l. This material is not
expected to be toxic to aquatic life.
13. Disposal Considerations
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be handled as
hazardous waste and sent to a RCRA approved incinerator or disposed in a
RCRA approved waste facility. Processing, use or contamination of this
product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal
regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations.
Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state
and local requirements.
14. Transport Information
Domestic (Land, D.O.T.)
-----------------------
Proper Shipping Name: DIETHYL ETHER
Hazard Class: 3
UN/NA: UN1155
Packing Group: I
Information reported for product/size: 215L
International (Water, I.M.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: DIETHYL ETHER
Hazard Class: 3.1
UN/NA: UN1155
Packing Group: I
Information reported for product/size: 215L
15. Regulatory Information
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
Ingredient TSCA EC Japan Australia
----------------------------------------------- ---- --- ----- ---------
Diethyl Ether (60-29-7) Yes Yes Yes Yes
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
--Canada--
Ingredient Korea DSL NDSL Phil.
----------------------------------------------- ----- --- ---- -----
Diethyl Ether (60-29-7) Yes Yes No Yes
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
-SARA 302- ------SARA 313------
Ingredient RQ TPQ List Chemical Catg.
----------------------------------------- --- ----- ---- --------------
Diethyl Ether (60-29-7) No No No No
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
-RCRA- -TSCA-
Ingredient CERCLA 261.33 8(d)
----------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------
Diethyl Ether (60-29-7) 100 U117 Yes
Chemical Weapons Convention: No TSCA 12(b): Yes CDTA: Yes
SARA 311/312: Acute: Yes Chronic: Yes Fire: Yes Pressure: No
Reactivity: Yes (Pure / Liquid)
Australian Hazchem Code: 3YE
Poison Schedule: No information found.
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of
the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains
all of the information required by the CPR.
16. Other Information
NFPA Ratings:
Health: 2 Flammability: 4 Reactivity: 1
Label Hazard Warning:
DANGER! EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED, INHALED
OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY
TRACT. AFFECTS CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
Label Precautions:
May form explosive peroxides.
Keep away from heat, sparks and flame.
Keep container closed.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Avoid breathing vapor.
Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Store At A Temperature Not Exceeding 30C (86F).DO NOT OPEN Unless Contents Are At Room Temperature (72F) or Below For At Least 24 Hours.
Label First Aid:
In case of contact, immediately flush eyes or skin with plenty of water for
at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing
before reuse. If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give
artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. If swallowed,
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. Never give anything
by mouth to an unconscious person. In all cases call a physician.
Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
MSDS Section(s) changed since last revision of document include: 1, 2, 14.
Disclaimer:
************************************************************************************************
Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. provides the information contained herein in
good faith but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy.
This document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary
handling of the material by a properly trained person using this product.
Individuals receiving the information must exercise their independent judgment
in determining its appropriateness for a particular purpose. MALLINCKRODT
BAKER, INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE
PRODUCT TO WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC.
WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS
INFORMATION.
************************************************************************************************
Prepared by: Strategic Services Division
Phone Number: (314) 539-1600 (U.S.A.)
