Substance profile
Ethyl chloroformate
Ethyl chloroformate is a water-white liquid with a sharp, like hydrochloric acid odor.
01 · Identification
What Ethyl chloroformate is
Ethyl chloroformate is a water-white liquid with a sharp, like hydrochloric acid odor. It boils at 95 °C, melts at -80.6 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
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. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P304, P310, P312, P330, P331, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethyl chloroformate 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 | 95 °C (203 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 93.89 °C (201 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 95 °C (203 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Melting point | -80.6 °C (-113.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| -81.11 °C (-114 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.1 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.1403 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.135 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | PRACTICALLY INSOL & GRADUALLY DECOMP IN WATER | HSDB | |
| MISCIBLE WITH ALC, BENZENE, CHLOROFORM, ETHER | HSDB | ||
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 41.2534 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 22.4 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 16.11 °C (61 °F) | HSDB | |
| 16 °C (60.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 500 °C (932 °F) | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 3.2 % by volume | decomposes | ICSC |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 27.5 % by volume | decomposes | ICSC |
| Vapor density | 3.7 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 235 °C (455 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ethyl chloroformate
Storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from acids, alkalies, amines, alcohols, oxidizing materials, & water. Normally kept refrigerated.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
... WILL REACT WITH WATER OR STEAM TO PRODUCE TOXIC AND CORROSIVE FUMES; CAN REACT VIGOROUSLY WITH OXIDIZING MATERIAL.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ETHYL CHLOROFORMATE decomposes slowly in water to form ethanol, HCl, and CO2 Attacks many metals especially in humid atmosphere [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 476]. May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethyl chloroformate in the storage compatibility matrix →