Substance profile
Ethion
Ethion is a water-white to amber-colored liquid and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Ethion is
Ethion is a water-white to amber-colored liquid and is odorless. It boils at 150 °C, melts at -12.2 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
Other names for Ethion
- ethion (ISO)
- O,O,O',O'-tetraethyl S,S'-methylenedi (phosphorodithioate)
- diethion
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 |
|---|---|
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P270, P273, P280, P301, P302, P310, P312, P330, P352, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethion 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 | 150 °C (302 °F) | above this value | HSDB |
| Melting point | -12.22 °C (10 °F) | NIOSH | |
| -13 °C (8.6 °F) | DOE PAC | ||
| -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) | range, midpoint shown | HSDB | |
| Density | 1.22 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.2 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 1.22 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Soluble in xylene, chloroform, acetone, kerosene, and 1% methyl ethyl ketone or benzene, and methylated naphthalene. | HSDB | |
| Sol in petroleum oils, most organic solvents | HSDB | ||
| Sol in methyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.0000015 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.0000015 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 176.11 °C (349 °F) | NIOSH | |
| Autoignition temperature | Not flammable (USCG, 1999) | CAMEO | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Class IIIB Combustible Liquid: Fl.P. at or above 200 °F. | NIOSH | |
| Does not ignite easily. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | Does not ignite easily. (EPA, 1998) | CAMEO | |
| Corrosivity | Non-corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ethion
Storage conditions
DO NOT STORE ETHION 4 EC AND 8 EC AT TEMP BELOW 0 °F AND 20 °F, RESPECTIVELY.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible with alkaline preparations and formulating materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Organothiophosphates, such as ETHION, are susceptible to formation of highly toxic and flammable phosphine gas in the presence of strong reducing agents such as hydrides. Partial oxidation by oxidizing agents may result in the release of toxic phosphorus oxides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethion in the storage compatibility matrix →