Substance profile
Ethyl Acrylate
Ethyl Acrylate is a colorless liquid with an acrid penetrating odor.
01 · Identification
What Ethyl Acrylate is
Ethyl Acrylate is a colorless liquid with an acrid penetrating odor. Its molecular formula is C5H8O2 and its molecular weight is 100.12 g/mol. It boils at 99.4 °C, melts at -71.2 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
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 |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P272, P280, P301, P302, P304, P305, P310, P312, P313, P330, P332, P333, P337, P338, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethyl Acrylate 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 | 99.4 °C (210.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| 99.44 °C (211 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 99.78 °C (211.6 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -71.2 °C (-96.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -71.11 °C (-96 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -71.22 °C (-96.2 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.92 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.9234 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.9107 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide; soluble in chloroform; miscible in ethanol, ethyl ether | HSDB | |
| Soluble in alcohol and ether | HSDB | ||
| 2% (wt/vol) in water at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 29 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 29.3 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 38.6 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 10 °C (50 °F) | open cup | HSDB |
| 15.56 °C (60 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 8.89 °C (48 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 372.22 °C (702 °F) | HSDB | |
| 382.78 °C (721 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 345 °C (653 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 1.8 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 14 % by volume | Ethyl acrylate, inhibited | HSDB |
| 14 % by volume | NIOSH | ||
| 12.1 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Vapor density | 3.45 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | 1 ppb (4 ug/cu m) | HSDB | |
| Water: 0.0012 mg/l; Air: 0.00038 ul/l; odor safety class A; A= More than 90% of distracted persons perceive warning of TLV concn in the air. | HSDB | ||
| 2.00x10-4 ppm (odor recognition in air, purity not specified) | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 278.89 °C (534 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ethyl Acrylate
Storage conditions
Store in away from heat, oxidizers, and sunlight. Outside or detached storage is preferred. Separate from any oxidizers, peroxides, or other initiators. /Ethyl acrylate, inhibited/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Material will react with strong acids and alkalies. /Ethyl acrylate, inhibited/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
A flammable liquid, confirmed carcinogen. It can react vigorously with oxidizing reagents, peroxides,strong alkalis and polymerization initiators. [NTP] It reacts violently with chlorosulfonic acid [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 1515]. When an inhibited monomer was placed in a clear glass bottle exposed to sunlight, exothermic polymerization set in and caused the bottle to burst. The use of brown glass or metal containers and increase in inhibitor concentration (to 200 ppm; tenfold) was recommended [MCA Case History No. 1759]. It may polymerize when exposed to light and it is subject to slow hydrolysis. Inhibitors do not function in the absence of air. Solutions in DMSO are stable for 24 hours under normal lab conditions. [NTP].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethyl Acrylate in the storage compatibility matrix →