Substance profile
Urethane (INN)
Urethane (INN) is colorless, columnar crystals or white, granular powder and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Urethane (INN) is
Urethane (INN) is colorless, columnar crystals or white, granular powder and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C3H7NO2 and its molecular weight is 89.09 g/mol. It boils at 185 °C, melts at 49 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Urethane (INN)
- ethyl carbamate
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 |
|---|---|
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Urethane (INN) 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 °C (365 °F) | HSDB | |
| 183.06 °C (361.5 °F) | range, midpoint shown, at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 49 °C (120.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| Density | 0.9813 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 0.98 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 0.9862 g/cm³ | at 21.11 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Soluble in benzene | HSDB | |
| 1g dissolves in 0.8 mL alcohol; 1.5 mL ether; 0.9 mL chloroform; 2.5 mL glycerol; 32 mL olive oil | HSDB | ||
| greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992) | at 22.22 °C | CAMEO | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.0375 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 0.262 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.36 mmHg | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Flash point | 92.22 °C (198 °F) | CAMEO | |
| 92 °C (197.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Vapor density | 3.07 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 3.1 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Urethane (INN)
Storage conditions
... Should be stored in cool, well ventilated place, out of direct rays of sun, away from areas of high fire hazard, & should be periodically inspected & monitored. Incompatible materials should be isolated from each other.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
This intermediate /N-carbomethoxymethylimino phosphoryl chloride/ (or its ethyl homologue), produced during prepn of phosphoryl dichloride isocyanate from interaction of phosphorus pentachloride & methyl (or ethyl) carbamate, is unstable. Its decomposition to the required product may be violent or explosive unless moderated by the presence of a halogenated solvent.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
URETHANE is incompatible with alkalis, acids, chloral hydrate, camphor, menthol and thymol. Also incompatible with antipyrine and salol. May react with strong oxidizing agents. Liquefies with benzoic acid, resorcinol and salicylic acid. Reacts with phosphorus pentachloride to form an explosive product (NTP, 1992).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Urethane (INN) in the storage compatibility matrix →