Substance profile
Ethylene glycol dinitrate
Ethylene glycol dinitrate is a colorless to yellow, oily liquid and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Ethylene glycol dinitrate is
Ethylene glycol dinitrate is a colorless to yellow, oily liquid and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C2H4N2O6 and its molecular weight is 152.06 g/mol. It boils at 199 °C, melts at -22.3 °C, is very soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
Other names for Ethylene glycol dinitrate
- ethylene dinitrate
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 |
|---|---|
| H200 | Unstable explosives. |
| H310 | Fatal in contact with skin. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H300 | Fatal if swallowed. |
| 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, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P314, P330, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethylene glycol dinitrate 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 | 198.5 °C (389.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| 197.22 °C (387 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 197.22 °C (387 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -22.3 °C (-8.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| -21 °C (-5.8 °F) | HSDB | ||
| -22.22 °C (-8 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.49 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.4918 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Very soluble in ether, ethanol | HSDB | |
| Soluble in carbon tetrachloride, benzene, toluene, acetone; limited solublity in common alcohols | HSDB | ||
| In water, 0.52% | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.05 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.072 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 215 °C (419 °F) | closed cup | HSDB |
| 215 °C (419 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | May explosively detonate violently from mechanical shock, friction, impact, or concussion. | HSDB | |
| ... Ethylene glycol dinitrate can be explosive in ... pure form ... | HSDB | ||
| ... Highly explosive substance which, on explosion, liberates 1,705.3 cal/kg. | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 5.25 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 5.2 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ethylene glycol dinitrate
Storage conditions
Buildings used for storage of nitroglycerin or ethylene glycol dinitrate shall be separated by at least the minimum distances required; containers of nitroglycerin or ehylene glycol dinitrate shall be kept tightly closed at all times when not in use and shall be stored in a manner that will minimized the risk of spills; only properly informed, trained, and equipped personnel shall be involved in storing, loading, and unloading, or processing liquid nitroglycerin, ethylene glycol dinitrate, or explosive mixtures containing these compounds. Also, storage areas for nitroglycerin or ethylene glycol dinitrate shall be clean, dry, and well ventilated. Storage areas for explosive forms of nitroglycerin or ethylene glycol dinitrate shall be in a structure that is bullet resistant, weather resistant, and ventilated.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Not compatible with strong acids and alkalies.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ETHYLENE GLYCOL DINITRATE is explosive. Acts as a strong oxidizing agent. Heating to 114 °C or above may cause a violent combustion or explosion producing toxic fumes (nitrogen oxides). May also decompose explosively from shock, friction or from a build-up of electrostatic charge that sparks suddenly to ground. Can begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in an explosion if mixed with reducing agents including hydrides, sulfides, and nitrides and numerous ordinary combustible materials. Reacts violently with Al, BP, cyanides, esters, PN2H, P, NaCN, SnCl2, sodium hypophosphite, and thiocyanates. Reacts with acids and with alkalis, including ammonia and amines. Must be stored in a cool, ventilated place, away from acute fire hazards and easily oxidized materials (Sax and Lewis, 1987 p.664).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethylene glycol dinitrate in the storage compatibility matrix →