Substance profile
2-methylpentane-2,4-diol
2-methylpentane-2,4-diol is a liquid with a mild sweetish odor.
01 · Identification
What 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol is
2-methylpentane-2,4-diol is a liquid with a mild sweetish odor. Its molecular formula is C6H14O2 and its molecular weight is 118.17 g/mol. It boils at 198 °C, melts at -50 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 2nd degree.
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 |
|---|---|
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Precautionary statements: P264, P280, P302, P305, P313, P332, P337, P338, P352
This page lists only the codes assigned to 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
03 · Physical and chemical properties
2-methylpentane-2,4-diol 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 | 198 °C (388.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 197.78 °C (388 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 197.22 °C (387 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -50 °C (-58 °F) | glass or vitreous condition | HSDB |
| -50 °C (-58 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.9215 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 0.92 g/cm³ | NIOSH | ||
| 0.9211 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible with water | HSDB | |
| Soluble in alcohol, ether, lower aliphatic hydrocarbons | HSDB | ||
| Soluble in ethanol, ethyl ether; slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.05 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.013 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.07 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 93 °C (199.4 °F) | closed cup | HSDB |
| 96.11 °C (205 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 98.33 °C (209 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 305.85 °C (582.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| 306.11 °C (583 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 306 °C (582.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.3 % by volume | NIOSH | |
| 1.2 % by volume | calc. | CAMEO | |
| 1.2 % by volume | ICSC | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 7.4 % by volume | NIOSH | |
| 8.1 % by volume | calc. | CAMEO | |
| 8.1 % by volume | ICSC | ||
| Vapor density | 4.1 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 3.93 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Odor threshold of 3.93 reported | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 347.85 °C (658.1 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Store under inert gas. hygroscopic
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Can react with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
HEXYLENE GLYCOL is incompatible with the following: Strong oxidizers, strong acids [Note: Hygroscopic (i.e., absorbs moisture from the air).] (NIOSH, 2024).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol in the storage compatibility matrix →
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of 2-methylpentane-2,4-di… issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
Nearby
Substances next to 2-methylpentane-2,4-diol
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