Substance profile
Ethidium Bromide
Ethidium Bromide is dark red crystals from alcohol.
01 · Identification
What Ethidium Bromide is
Ethidium Bromide is dark red crystals from alcohol. It melts at 261 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
Other names for Ethidium Bromide
- 3,8-diamino-1-ethyl-6-phenylphenantridinium bromide
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 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P304, P308, P310, P312, P313, P330
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethidium Bromide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 261 °C (501.8 °F) | range, midpoint shown | HSDB |
| 239 °C (462.2 °F) | range, midpoint shown | ICSC | |
| Density | 0.34 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| Solubility | Solubility in 2-methoxyethanol is 20 mg/mL; ethanol, 2 mg/mL | HSDB | |
| Soluble in 750 parts chloroform at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Soluble in 20 parts water at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 1.2e-12 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| Vapor pressure at 25 °C: negligible | at 25 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | 100 °C (212 °F) | above this value | ICSC |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ethidium Bromide
Storage conditions
Ethidium bromide should be handled in the laboratory using the "basic prudent practices" described in Chapter 5.C. Because of its mutagenicity, stock solutions of this compound should be prepared in a fume hood, and protective gloves should be worn at all times while handling this substance. Operations capable of generating ethidium bromide dust or aerosols of ethidium bromide solutions should be conducted in a fume hood to prevent exposure by inhalation.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethidium Bromide in the storage compatibility matrix →