Substance profile
Dimethyl Ether
Dimethyl Ether is a colorless gas @ usual temp, but easily condensible with a slight ethereal odor.
01 · Identification
What Dimethyl Ether is
Dimethyl Ether is a colorless gas @ usual temp, but easily condensible with a slight ethereal odor. It boils at -24.8 °C, melts at -141 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th 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 |
|---|---|
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas. |
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Dimethyl 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 | -24.82 °C (-12.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -22.22 °C (-8 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| -23.6 °C (-10.5 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Melting point | -141.5 °C (-222.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -138.5 °C (-217.3 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.0019 g/cm³ | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 0.61 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 0.0019 g/cm³ | DOE PAC | ||
| Solubility | 1 vol water takes up 37 vol gas | HSDB | |
| Sol in ether, acetone, chloroform; ethyl alcohol | HSDB | ||
| SOL IN ORG SOLVENTS EXCEPT FOR POLYALCOHOLS | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 2.128 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 4450 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -41.11 °C (-42 °F) | HSDB | |
| -3.89 °C (25 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Flammable gas | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 350 °C (662 °F) | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 3.4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 2 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 27 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 50 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Vapor density | 1.6 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.617 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 127 °C (260.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | NONCORROSIVE | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Dimethyl Ether
Storage conditions
Seperate from oxidizing materials. Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Avoid sunlight.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Forms explosive mixture with air. Forms unstable peroxides in containers that been 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.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
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].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Dimethyl Ether in the storage compatibility matrix →