Substance profile
Oxalic acid diethylester
Oxalic acid diethylester is colorless, oily liquid with an aromatic odor.
01 · Identification
What Oxalic acid diethylester is
Oxalic acid diethylester is colorless, oily liquid with an aromatic odor. It boils at 186 °C, melts at -38.5 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 2nd degree.
Other names for Oxalic acid diethylester
- diethyl oxalate
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. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
Precautionary statements: P264, P270, P280, P301, P305, P312, P313, P330, P337, P338
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Oxalic acid diethylester 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 | 185.7 °C (366.3 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 185.4 °C (365.7 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Melting point | -38.5 °C (-37.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| -40.6 °C (-41.1 °F) | DOE PAC | ||
| Density | 1.0785 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| 1.079 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | SPARINGLY SOL IN WATER WHICH DECOMP IT GRADUALLY; MISCIBLE WITH USUAL ORG SOLVENTS | HSDB | |
| SOL IN ALL PROPORTIONS IN ALCOHOL, ETHER, ACETONE | HSDB | ||
| MISCIBLE WITH ETHYL ACETATE | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 1 mmHg | at 47 °C | HSDB |
| 0.41 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Flash point | 75.56 °C (168 °F) | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 5.04 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Fire and explosion
Fire and explosion behaviour of Oxalic acid diethylester
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.
Fire and explosion
IN PROCESS VESSELS, DRYING OVENS, ETC WHICH OPERATE AT ELEVATED TEMP, SUFFICIENT VAPOR MAY BE EVOLVED FROM ANY OF THE ESTERS TO FORM AN EXPLOSIVE MIXT WITH AIR. /ESTERS/
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Oxalic acid diethylester
Storage conditions
STORAGE TANKS CONTAINING FLAMMABLE ESTERS SHOULD BE SITUATED IN MOUNDED COMPOUND CONSTRUCTED TO RETAIN MAX QUANTITY OF LIQ THAT COULD ESCAPE FROM TANKS. /ESTERS/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ETHYL OXALATE is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Oxalic acid diethylester in the storage compatibility matrix →