Substance profile
Dimethyl Sulfate
Dimethyl Sulfate is a colorless oily liquid and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Dimethyl Sulfate is
Dimethyl Sulfate is a colorless oily liquid and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C2H6O4S and its molecular weight is 126.13 g/mol. It boils at 188 °C, melts at -27 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Dimethyl Sulfate
- dimethyl 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>. |
| H341 | Suspected of causing genetic defects <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P261, P270, P271, P272, P280, P301, P304, P308, P310, P313, P330, P331, P333
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Dimethyl 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 | 188 °C (370.4 °F) | approximate | HSDB |
| 187.78 °C (370 °F) | approximate | CAMEO | |
| 187.78 °C (370 °F) | decomposes | NIOSH | |
| Melting point | -27 °C (-16.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -31.67 °C (-25 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -31.75 °C (-25.1 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.33 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.3322 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.3283 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Sol in ether, dioxane, acetone, aromatic hydrocarbons. | HSDB | |
| Sparingly sol in carbon disulfide, aliphatic hydrocarbons. | HSDB | ||
| Miscible in ethanol; soluble in ethyl ether, carbon tetrachloride and benzene; insoluble in carbon disulfide | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.1 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.5 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.677 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 83.33 °C (182 °F) | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | 187.78 °C (370 °F) | HSDB | |
| 470 °C (878 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 3.6 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Class IIIA Combustible Liquid: Fl.P. at or above 140 °F and below 200 °F. | NIOSH | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 23.3 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Moderate fire potential when exposed to heat or flame. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO | ||
| Vapor density | 4.35 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 4.4 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Corrosivity | Corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Dimethyl Sulfate
Storage conditions
PRECAUTIONS FOR "CARCINOGENS": Storage site should be as close as practicable 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
Can react with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Pure DIMETHYL SULFATE and concentrated aqueous ammonia react extremely violently with one another, as is the case for tertiary organic bases, [NFPA 491M, 1991]. Dimethyl sulfate ignites in contact with unheated barium chlorite, due to the rapid formation of unstable methyl chlorite. The product of methylating an unnamed material at 110 °C was allowed to remain in a reactor for 80 min. before the reactor exploded. This involved a sulfur ester such as dimethyl sulfate, [MCA Case History No. 1786].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Dimethyl Sulfate in the storage compatibility matrix →