Substance profile
Malathion
Malathion is a colorless or slightly yellow with a skunk-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Malathion is
Malathion is a colorless or slightly yellow with a skunk-like odor. It boils at 60 °C, melts at 3.9 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
Other names for Malathion
- malathion (ISO)
- 1,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate
- [containing ≤ 0.03 % isomalathion]
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 |
|---|---|
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P261, P270, P272, P273, P280, P301, P312, P313, P330, P333, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Malathion 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 | 60 °C (140 °F) | decomposes | NIOSH |
| 156.5 °C (313.7 °F) | range, midpoint shown, at 0.7 mmHg (reduced pressure) | HSDB | |
| Melting point | 3.85 °C (38.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| 2.78 °C (37 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 2.83 °C (37.1 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.21 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.2076 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.234 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, benzene and ethyl ether | HSDB | |
| In water, 143 mg/L at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.00004 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.0000397 mmHg | at 30 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 163 °C (325.4 °F) | ICSC | |
| 162.78 °C (325 °F) | above this value | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Class IIIB Combustible Liquid: Fl.P. at or above 200 °F., but may be difficult to ignite. | NIOSH | |
| Above 100 °C, decomposes rapidly and explosion may be induced. | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 11.4 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| Odor threshold | 1.00 ppm (detection in water, purity not stated) | HSDB | |
| The odor threshold of malathion is very close (13.5 mg/cu m) to the OSHA PEL (15 mg/cu m) and may not provide adequate warning of hazardous concentrations. | HSDB | ||
| Odor thresholds: 13.5 mg/cu m (low); 13.5 mg/cu m (high) | HSDB | ||
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to iron and some other metals | HSDB | |
| Malathion will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings | HSDB | ||
| Corrosive to metals | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Malathion
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Solubility
Miscible with many organic solvents including alcohols, esters, ketones, ethers, aromatic and alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons and vegetable oils. Limited solubility in certain paraffin hydrocarbons
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Malathion
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. Recommended storage temperature 2 - 8 °C
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents. Corrodes metal.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
MALATHION is a yellow to brown liquid that solidifies at 2.9 °C, moderately toxic. Organic phosphate insecticide, acts as an inhibitor of cholinesterase. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of oxides of sulfur and phosphorus [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 789].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Malathion in the storage compatibility matrix →