Substance profile
Diethyl Sulfate
Diethyl Sulfate is colorless, oily liquid darkens with age with a peppermint odor.
01 · Identification
What Diethyl Sulfate is
Diethyl Sulfate is colorless, oily liquid darkens with age with a peppermint odor. Its molecular formula is C4H10O4S and its molecular weight is 154.19 g/mol. It boils at 209 °C, melts at -25 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Diethyl Sulfate
- diethyl sulphate
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 |
|---|---|
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H340 | May cause genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P308, P310, P312, P313, P330, P331, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Diethyl Sulfate 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 | 209.44 °C (409 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
| 208 °C (406.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| 209.5 °C (409.1 °F) | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Melting point | -25 °C (-13 °F) | HSDB | |
| -24.44 °C (-12 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.2 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.1803 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.172 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible in alcohol and ether. | HSDB | |
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | ||
| In water, 7,000 mg/l @ 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.15 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 0.212 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.75 mmHg | at 36 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Flash point | 104.44 °C (220 °F) | HSDB | |
| 104 °C (219.2 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 436.11 °C (817 °F) | HSDB | |
| 360 °C (680 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 4.1 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| 1.8 % by volume | ICSC | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 12.2 % by volume | ICSC | |
| Vapor density | 5.31 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 5.3 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Corrosivity | Noncorrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Diethyl Sulfate
Storage conditions
PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": Storage site should be as close as practical to lab in which carcinogens are to be used, so that only small quantities required for ... expt need to be carried. Carcinogens should be kept in only one section of cupboard, an explosion-proof refrigerator or freezer (depending on chemicophysical properties ...) that bears appropriate label. An inventory ... should be kept, showing quantity of carcinogen & date it was acquired ... Facilities for dispensing ... should be contiguous to storage area. /Chemical Carcinogens/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
React violently with 3,8-dinitro-9-phenylphenanthridine plus water. Reaction with iron plus water forms explosive hydrogen gas.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
The presence of moisture in a metal container of DIETHYL SULFATE caused the formation of sulfuric acid which reacts with the metal to release hydrogen which pressurized and exploded the container [Chem. Abst. 28:2908(1934)].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Diethyl Sulfate in the storage compatibility matrix →