Substance profile
Nitroethane
Nitroethane is a colorless liquid with a moderate to strong disagreeable odor.
01 · Identification
What Nitroethane is
Nitroethane is a colorless liquid with a moderate to strong disagreeable odor. Its molecular formula is C2H5NO2 and its molecular weight is 75.07 g/mol. It boils at 114 °C, melts at -89.4 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
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 |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P301, P304, P312, P330, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Nitroethane 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 | 114.1 °C (237.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 113.89 °C (237 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 115 °C (239 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -89.42 °C (-129 °F) | HSDB | |
| -90 °C (-130 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.0485 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.0448 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible in methanol, ethanol, ethyl ether; soluble in chloroform and aqueous solutions of alkalies | HSDB | |
| In water, 4.8X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 20.8 mmHg | at 25 °C, Extrapolated | HSDB |
| 21 mmHg | at 25 °C | NIOSH | |
| Flash point | 27.78 °C (82 °F) | HSDB | |
| 31 °C (87.8 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 414.44 °C (778 °F) | HSDB | |
| 410 °C (770 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 3.4 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 2.58 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.6 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | 163 ppm | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 2.1 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor Threshold High: 200.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 388 °C (730.4 °F) | calc | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Nitroethane
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
Solubility of water in nitroethane 0.9% (by wt); specific heat: 138.5 J/(mol-C) at 25 °C; heat of formation: -141.8 kJ/mol at 25 °C; dielectric constant 28.06 at 30 °C
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Nitroethane
Storage conditions
Storage Recommendations: Detached storage preferred. Separate from other flammables and oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Amines; strong acids, alkalis & oxidizers; hydrocarbons; combustibles; metal oxides.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
The nitroparaffins, nitromethane, nitropropane, etc. form salts with inorganic bases such as calcium hydroxide. The dry salts are explosive [Chem. Eng. News 30:2344. 1952]. Nitroethane and other nitro compounds are mild oxidizers and should not be heated with easily oxidizable hydrocarbons under confinement [Chem. Eng. News 30:2344. 1940].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Nitroethane in the storage compatibility matrix →