Substance profile
1,2-Dimethoxyethane
1,2-Dimethoxyethane is a water-white liquid with a sharp ethereal odor.
01 · Identification
What 1,2-Dimethoxyethane is
1,2-Dimethoxyethane is a water-white liquid with a sharp ethereal odor. Its molecular formula is C4H10O2 and its molecular weight is 90.12 g/mol. It boils at 85 °C, melts at -58 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
Other names for 1,2-Dimethoxyethane
- ethylene glycol dimethyl ether
- EGDME
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H360FD | May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH019
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P271, P304, P312, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
1,2-Dimethoxyethane properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 85 °C (185 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
| 82.5 °C (180.5 °F) | range, midpoint shown, at 760 mmHg | HSDB | |
| 82.5 °C (180.5 °F) | range, midpoint shown | ICSC | |
| Melting point | -58 °C (-72.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| -57.78 °C (-72 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.86 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 0.8629 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.868 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | MISCIBLE WITH WATER, ALCOHOL; SOL IN HYDROCARBON SOLVENTS | HSDB | |
| SOL IN CHLOROFORM, ETHER, ACETONE, BENZENE | HSDB | ||
| water solubility = 1.00X10+6 mg/l @ 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 48 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| 48.0039 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | -1.67 °C (29 °F) | HSDB | |
| 0 °C (32 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -2 °C (28.4 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 201.67 °C (395 °F) | HSDB | |
| 202 °C (395.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.6 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| A seven year old peroxidised sample exploded during distillation. | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 10.4 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| Vapor density | 3.1 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 262.78 °C (505 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 1,2-Dimethoxyethane
Reactivity
When the solvent, 1,2-DIMETHOXYETHANE, was poured into a funnel previously used to introduce the lithium aluminum hydride, a fire ignited the funnel [MCA Case History 1182(1966)].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 1,2-Dimethoxyethane in the storage compatibility matrix →