Substance profile
Diethyl ether
Diethyl ether is colorless, volatile, mobile liquid with a sweetish, pungent odor.
01 · Identification
What Diethyl ether is
Diethyl ether is colorless, volatile, mobile liquid with a sweetish, pungent odor. Its molecular formula is C4H10O and its molecular weight is 74.12 g/mol. It boils at 34.6 °C, melts at -116 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th degree.
Other names for Diethyl ether
- ether
- ethyl ether
- Aether
- Anaesthetic Ether
- Anesthesia Ether
- Anesthetic Ether
- Diethyl Ether (Ethyl Ether)
- Diethyl Oxide
- Ethane, 1,1'-Oxybis-
- Ethoxyethane
- Ethyl Oxide
- 3-Oxapentane
- 1,1'-Oxybisethane
- Pronarcol
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 |
|---|---|
| H224 | Extremely flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH019, EUH066
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P270, P301, P312, P330, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Diethyl ether 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 | 34.6 °C (94.3 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 34.44 °C (94 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 34.61 °C (94.3 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -116.3 °C (-177.3 °F) | stable crystals | HSDB |
| -116.11 °C (-177 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -116.28 °C (-177.3 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.71 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.7134 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.714 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Miscible with lower aliphatic alcohols, benzene, chloroform, petroleum ether, fat solvents, many oils; sol in concn hydrochloric acid | HSDB | |
| Sol in acetone; very sol in ethanol | HSDB | ||
| Sol in solvent naphtha, benzene, oils | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 440 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 442 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 538 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -45 °C (-49 °F) | CLOSED CUP | HSDB |
| -45 °C (-49 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 180 °C (356 °F) | HSDB | |
| 170 °C (338 °F) | range, midpoint shown | ICSC | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.9 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 36.5 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 36 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 2.55 (air = 1) | Air = 1.0 | HSDB |
| 2.6 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | 0.83 ppm (purity not given) | HSDB | |
| Odor detection: in water= 5.83 ppm; in air= 5.83 mg/l (gas); in air: 7.00x10(-1) ppm | Purities not specified | HSDB | |
| 0.99 mg/cu m (odor low) 3.0 mg/cu m (odor high) | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 192.7 °C (378.9 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Diethyl ether
Storage conditions
Separate from oxidizing materials. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Avoid sunlight.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Boron triazide, bromine trifluoride, bromine pentafluoride, bromine, iodine heptafluoride, silver perchlorate, fluorine nitrate, permanganic acid, nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, peroxodisulfuric acid, iodine(VII) oxide, peat soils, thiotriazyl perchlorate, sulfonyl chloride, sulfur, uranyl nitrate, and wood pulp extracts.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Occasional explosions have occurred when aluminum hydride was stored in ether. The explosions have been blamed on the presence of carbon dioxide impurity in the ether, [J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 70:877(1948)]. Diethyl ether and chromium trioxide react violently at room temperature. Solid acetyl peroxide in contact with ether or any volatile solvent may explode violently. A 5-gram portion in ether detonated while being carried, [Chem. Eng. News 27:175(1949)]. Nitrosyl perchlorate ignites and explodes with diethyl ether. A mixture of ether and ozone forms aldehyde and acetic acid and a heavy liquid, ethyl peroxide, an explosive, [Mellor 1:911(1946-1947)].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Diethyl ether in the storage compatibility matrix →
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