Substance profile
Ethylbenzene
Ethylbenzene is a colorless liquid with an aromatic odor.
01 · Identification
What Ethylbenzene is
Ethylbenzene is a colorless liquid with an aromatic odor. It boils at 136 °C, melts at -94.9 °C.
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. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H304 | May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P304, P312, P314, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethylbenzene 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 | 136.2 °C (277.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 136.11 °C (277 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 136.22 °C (277.2 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -94.95 °C (-138.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| -95 °C (-139 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 2.67 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 0.87 g/cm³ | NIOSH | ||
| 0.8626 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Soluble in all proportions in ethyl alcohol and ethyl ether | HSDB | |
| In water, 170 mg/L at 25 °C (average of 16 literature ranging from 131-212 mg/L at 25 °C) | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 169 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 7 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 6.7506 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 9.6 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 15 °C (59 °F) | HSDB | |
| 17.78 °C (64 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 21.11 °C (70 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 432.22 °C (810 °F) | HSDB | |
| 460 °C (860 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 432 °C (809.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 0.8 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 1.2 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 6.7 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 6.8 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 3.66 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3.7 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | 140 ppm | Purity not specified | HSDB |
| 2-2.6 mg/cu m; detection: 0.4 mg/cu m | Purity not specified | HSDB | |
| Odor Low: 8.7 mg/cu m, Odor High: 870.0 mg/cu m | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 343.95 °C (651.1 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ethylbenzene
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Hygroscopic. Storage class (TRGS 510): Flammable liquids.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ETHYLBENZENE can react vigorously with strong oxidizing materials (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethylbenzene in the storage compatibility matrix →