| Identification | More | [Name]
Dimethyl ether | [CAS]
115-10-6 | [Synonyms]
DIMETHYL ETHER
DIMETHYL OXIDE
METHYL ETHER
METHYL OXIDE
(CH3)2O
demeond
Dymel A
dymela
Ether, dimethyl
Ether, methyl
ether,dimethyl
ether,dimethyl-
ether,methyl
Methane, oxybis-
Methane,oxybis-
oxybis(methane)
oxybis-methan
Oxybismethane
oxybis-Methane
RE170 | [EINECS(EC#)]
204-065-8 | [Molecular Formula]
C2H6O | [MDL Number]
MFCD00008494 | [Molecular Weight]
46.07 | [MOL File]
115-10-6.mol |
| Chemical Properties | Back Directory | [Appearance]
colourless gas | [Melting point ]
−141 °C(lit.) | [Boiling point ]
−24.8 °C(lit.) | [density ]
1.617 | [vapor density ]
1.62 (vs air)
| [vapor pressure ]
>760 mm Hg ( 25 °C)
| [refractive index ]
1.2984 | [Fp ]
-41°C | [solubility ]
Soluble in acetone, chloroform, ethanol (95%), ether, and 1 in 3 parts of water. Dimethyl ether is generally miscible with water, nonpolar materials, and some semipolar materials. For pharmaceutical aerosols, ethanol (95%) is the most useful cosolvent. Glycols, oils, and other similar materials exhibit varying degrees of miscibility with dimethyl ether. | [Odor]
Chloroform-like; sweet. | [Stability:]
Stable. Extremely flammable. Note low flash point. May form explosive mixtures with air. May form peroxides during prolonged storage. | [explosive limit]
27% | [Odor Threshold]
500ppm | [Water Solubility ]
soluble | [Merck ]
6071 | [BRN ]
1730743 | [Dielectric constant]
5.0（25℃） | [LogP]
0.07 at 25℃ | [CAS DataBase Reference]
115-10-6(CAS DataBase Reference) | [NIST Chemistry Reference]
Dimethyl ether(115-10-6) | [EPA Substance Registry System]
115-10-6(EPA Substance) |
| Safety Data | Back Directory | [Hazard Codes ]
F+ | [Risk Statements ]
R12:Extremely Flammable. | [Safety Statements ]
S9:Keep container in a well-ventilated place .
S16:Keep away from sources of ignition-No smoking .
S33:Take precautionary measures against static discharges . | [RIDADR ]
UN 1033 2.1
| [WGK Germany ]
1
| [RTECS ]
PM4780000
| [F ]
4.5-31 | [Autoignition Temperature]
662 °F | [HazardClass ]
2.1 | [HS Code ]
2909199090 | [Safety Profile]
Slightly toxic by
inhalation. Very dangerous fire hazard when
exposed to heat, flame, or oxidzers.
Dangerous explosion hazard when exposed
to flame, sparks, etc. Violent reaction with
AH3 and LiAlH2. Keep in closed container
away from heat and open flame. To fight
fire, stop flow of gas. When heated to
decomposition it emits acrid smoke and
irritating fumes. | [Hazardous Substances Data]
115-10-6(Hazardous Substances Data) |
| Hazard Information | Back Directory | [General Description]
DIMETHYL ETHER(115-10-6) is a colorless gas with a faint ethereal odor. DIMETHYL ETHER(115-10-6) is shipped as a liquefied gas under its vapor pressure. Contact with the liquid can cause frostbite. DIMETHYL ETHER(115-10-6) is easily ignited. Its vapors are heavier than air. Any leak can be either liquid or vapor. DIMETHYL ETHER(115-10-6) can asphyxiate by the displacement of air. Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. | [Reactivity Profile]
DIMETHYL ETHER is a colorless, highly flammable gas (b. p.-24° C), slightly toxic. Very dangerous fire and explosion hazard when exposed to flame, sparks, heat or strong oxidizers. Violent reaction with aluminum hydride, lithium aluminum hydride. Upon standing and exposure to air (oxygen) tendency to form explosive peroxides. When ethers containing peroxides are heated (distilled) they can detonate [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 854]. | [Air & Water Reactions]
Highly flammable. Upon standing and exposure to air (oxygen) tendency to form explosive peroxides. When ethers containing peroxides are heated (distilled) they can detonate [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 854]. | [Health Hazard]
Inhalation produces some anesthesia (but less than that of ethyl ether), blurring of vision, headache, intoxication, loss of consciousness. Liquid or concentrated vapor irritates eyes. Contact of liquid with skin may cause frostbite. | [Fire Hazard]
Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode. Vapors are heavier than air and may travel long distance to a source of ignition and flash back. | [Description]
Dimethyl ether is a colorless compressed liquefied gas or liquid. Molecular weight= 46.08; Boilingpoint= 224℃; Freezing/Melting point = 2 141℃; Vaporpressure = 5200 hPa at 20℃; Flash point = flammable gas(241℃); Autoignition temperature= 350℃. Explosivelimits: LEL = 3.4%; UEL= 27.0%. Hazard Identification(based on NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 2,Flammability 4, Reactivity 1. Soluble in water. | [Chemical Properties]
Dimethyl ether is a liquefied gas and exists as a liquid at room temperature when contained under its own vapor pressure, or as a gas when exposed to room temperature and pressure.
It is a clear, colorless, virtually odorless liquid. In high concentrations, the gas has a faint ether-like odor. | [Uses]
Aerosol propellant; alternative diesel fuel; chemical intermediate. | [Uses]
Dimethyl ether is used as a solvent in aerosol formulations. | [Uses]
Methyl ether is used as an aerosol propellantand in refrigeration. | [Definition]
ChEBI: An ether in which the oxygen atom is connected to two methyl groups. | [Production Methods]
Dimethyl ether is prepared by the reaction of bituminous or lignite coals with steam in the presence of a finely divided nickel catalyst. This reaction produces formaldehyde, which is then reduced to methanol and dimethyl ether. Dimethyl ether may also be prepared by the dehydration of methanol. | [Chemical Reactivity]
Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent. | [Pharmaceutical Applications]
Dimethyl ether may be used as an aerosol propellant for topical aerosol formulations in combination with hydrocarbons and other propellants. Generally, it cannot be used alone as a propellant owing to its high vapor pressure. Dimethyl ether is a good solvent and has the unique property of high water solubility, compared to other propellants. It has frequently been used with aqueous aerosols. A coarse, wet, spray is formed when dimethyl ether is used as a propellant.
Dimethyl ether is also used as a propellant in cosmetics such as hair sprays,and in other aerosol products such as air fresheners and fly sprays.
Dimethyl ether is additionally used as a refrigerant.
| [Safety]
Dimethyl ether may be used as a propellant and solvent in topical pharmaceutical aerosols, and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant material when used in such applications. However,inhalation of high concentrations of dimethyl ether vapor is harmful. Additionally, skin contact with dimethyl ether liquid may result in freezing of the skin and severe frostbite.
When used in topical formulations, dimethyl ether may exert a chilling effect on the skin, although if it is used as directed the propellant quickly vaporizes and is nonirritating.
LD50 (mouse, inhalation): 386000ppm/30min
LD50 (rat, inhalation): 308g/m3
| [Potential Exposure]
Used as a refrigerant, solvent, propellant for aerosol sprays; and in making plastics.Incompatibilities: Flammable gas. Forms explosive mixturewith air. Forms unstable peroxides in containers that havebeen opened or remain in storage for more than 6 months.Peroxides can be detonated by friction, impact or heating.Violent reaction with strong oxidizers, aluminum hydride,lithium aluminum hydride. Keep away from heat, air,sunlight | [First aid]
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Iffrostbite has occurred, seek medical attention immediately;do NOT rub the affected areas or flush them with water. Inorder to prevent further tissue damage, do NOT attempt toremove frozen clothing from frostbitten areas. If frostbitehas NOT occurred, immediately and thoroughly wash contaminated skin with soap and water | [Carcinogenicity]
A lifetime study in rats did not
produce cancer or clear, statistically significant evidence of
chronic toxicity at 25,000 ppm of dimethyl ether. | [Environmental Fate]
DME released to the atmosphere would be expected to exist
almost entirely in the vapor phase since the vapor pressure is
4450 mmHg at 25 ℃. It is susceptible to photooxidation via
vapor phase reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl
radicals. An atmospheric half-life of 5.4 days has been calculated.
It will also exhibit very highmobility in soil and, therefore, itmay
leach to groundwater. If DME is released to water, it will not be
expected either to significantly absorb to sediment or suspended
particulate matter, bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms, or
directly photolyze. No data concerning the biodegradation of
DME in environmental media were located but many ethers are
known to be resistant to biodegradation. DME would not be
expected to bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms. | [storage]
The liquefied gas is stable when used as a propellant. However, exposure to the air for long periods of time may result in explosive peroxides being slowly formed.
Solutions of liquid dimethyl ether should not be concentrated either by distillation or by evaporation. Dimethyl ether should be stored in tightly closed metal cylinders in a cool, dry place. | [Shipping]
This compound requires a shipping label of“FLAMMABLE GAS.” It falls in Hazard Class 2.1 andthere is no Packing Group listed | [Purification Methods]
Dry methyl ether by passing over alumina and then BaO, or over CaH2, followed by fractional distillation at low temperatures. Its solubility is 37mL per mL of H2O at 18o, and it is very soluble | [Toxicity evaluation]
Higher concentrations of DME act on the central nervous
system (CNS) to produce narcosis. The effects are rapidly
reversible which is consistent with the very rapid bioelimination
of the molecule. DME has, in the past, been
considered for use as a human anesthetic. It should be noted
that this chemical can produce cardiac sensitization similar to
the effects of epinephrine. | [Incompatibilities]
Dimethyl ether is an aggressive solvent and may affect the gasket materials used in aerosol packaging. Oxidizing agents, acetic acid, organic acids, and anhydrides should not be used with dimethyl ether. | [Regulatory Status]
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (topical aerosols). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients. |
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