Safety data for diethyl ether

General

Synonyms: ether, ethyl ether, ethoxyethane, 1,1'-oxybis ethane, diethyl oxide, aether, ethyl oxide, aether, anesthetic ether, rcra waste number U117, solvent ether
Molecular formula: C₄H₁₀O
CAS No: 60-29-7
EC No: 200-467-2
Annex I Index No: 603-022-00-4

Physical data

Appearance: colourless liquid
Melting point: -116 C
Boiling point: 34.6 C
Specific gravity: 0.71
Vapour pressure: 400 mm Hg at 18 C
Flash point: -40 C
Explosion limits: 1.7% - 48%
Autoignition temperature: 170 C
Water solubility: 6.9% (20 C)

Stability

Stable, but light-sensitive, sensitive to air. May contain BHT (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol) as a stabilizer. Substances to be avoided include zinc, halogens, halogen-halogen compounds, nonmetals, nonmetallic oxyhalides, strong oxidizing agents, chromyl chloride, turpentine oils, turps substitutes, nitrates, metallic chlorides.

Extremely flammable. This material is a serious fire and explosion risk. Vapour may travel considerable distances to ignition sources, which need not be an open flame, but may be a hot plate, steam pipe, etc. Vapour may be ignited by the static electricty which can build up when ether is being poured from one vessel into another. If large quantities of material are being poured, suitable precautions must be taken.

May form explosive peroxides on storage. Peroxides are generally higher-boiling than the materials from which they form. Consequently, if a peroxide-containing solution is heated, the residue becomes progressively more concentrated in peroxide and the risk of explosion increases rapidly. Vapour-air mixture explosive (note wide explosion limits). As at 6.11.97 regulated in the UK under the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972.

Toxicology

Harmful by ingestion, inhalation or through skin contact. May cause inebriation or coma. May cause allergic reaction. Skin, eye and respiratory system irritant. Typical 8h TWA 400 ppm.

Toxicity data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
ORL-MAN LDLO 260 mg kg^-1
ORL-RAT LD50 1215 mg kg^-1
IHL-MUS LC50 31000 ppm/30m

Irritation data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
EYE-HMN 100 ppm
SKN-RBT 360 mg open mld
SKN-GPG 50 mg/24h sev

Risk phrases
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
R12 R19 R22 R66 R67.

Transport information

(The meaning of any UN hazard codes which appear in this section is given here.)
UN No 1155. IMO 3.1/1155. Packing group I. IMDG class 3.1.

Personal protection

Safety glasses. Good ventilation. Ensure sources of ignition are kept well away.

Safety phrases
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
S9 S16 S29 S33.