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Diethyl ether

CAS number 60-29-7



Identification

Synonyms: Ether; ether,anhydrous; Diethyl ether; 1,1'Oxybisethane;ethyl oxide; diethyl oxide; Ethyl ether anhydrous;
CAS No.: 60-29-7
Molecular Weight: 74.12
Chemical Formula: C2H5OC2H5
EC No: 200-467-2
Annex I Index No: 603-022-00-4

Physical data

Appearance: colourless liquid
Melting point: -116 C
Boiling point: 34.6 C
Specific gravity: 0.71
Vapour pressure: 400 mm Hg at 18 C
Flash point: -40 C
Explosion limits: 1.7% - 48%
Autoignition temperature: 170 C
Water solubility: 6.9% (20 C)

Stability

Stable, but light-sensitive, sensitive to air. May contain BHT (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol) as a stabilizer. Substances to be avoided include zinc, halogens, halogen-halogen compounds, nonmetals, nonmetallic oxyhalides, strong oxidizing agents, chromyl chloride, turpentine oils, turps substitutes, nitrates, metallic chlorides.

Extremely flammable. This material is a serious fire and explosion risk. Vapour may travel considerable distances to ignition sources, which need not be an open flame, but may be a hot plate, steam pipe, etc. Vapour may be ignited by the static electricty which can build up when ether is being poured from one vessel into another. If large quantities of material are being poured, suitable precautions must be taken.

May form explosive peroxides on storage. Peroxides are generally higher-boiling than the materials from which they form. Consequently, if a peroxide-containing solution is heated, the residue becomes progressively more concentrated in peroxide and the risk of explosion increases rapidly. Vapour-air mixture explosive (note wide explosion limits). As at 6.11.97 regulated in the UK under the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972.

Toxicology

Harmful by ingestion, inhalation or through skin contact. May cause inebriation or coma. May cause allergic reaction. Skin, eye and respiratory system irritant. Typical 8h TWA 400 ppm.

Toxicity data
ORL-MAN LDLO 260 mg kg-1
ORL-RAT LD50 1215 mg kg-1
IHL-MUS LC50 31000 ppm/30m Irritation data EYE-HMN 100 ppm
SKN-RBT 360 mg open mld
SKN-GPG 50 mg/24h sev Risk phrases R12 R19 R22 R66 R67.

Personal protection

Remove any source of ignition from the working area, including hot plates, bunsen burners, hot air guns and electrical equipment.
Only work in very well ventilated areas.
Wear safety glasses.
If using ether from a container that has been open for some time, test the liquid for the presence of peroxides before use.
Store under an inert atmosphere.

Disposal

Do not attempt to flush this material down a sink. Dangerous levels of vapour can build up in the sink or within sewers. Store in a waste solvent container for disposal.

Protective equipment

Safety glasses. Diethyl ether may have a defatting effect on the skin. If gloves are required, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is suggested.

Diethyl ether, also known as ether and ethoxyethane, is a clear, colorless, and highly flammable liquid with a low boiling point and a characteristic odor. It is the most common member of a class of chemical compounds known generically as ethers.

It is an isomer of butanol. Diethyl ether has the formula CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3.

It is used as a common solvent and has been used as a general anesthetic. Ether is sparingly soluble in water (6.9 g/100 mL). The diffusion of diethyl ether in air is 0.918*10^-5 m2/s (298K 101.325 kPa).

Diethyl ether is a great solvent for many things, but is extremely flammable. Professional chemists will be well appraised of the hazards presented in using ether, but the layperson is less likely to be aware of these dangers. Diethyl Ether vapors 'hug' the ground, and in dry air explosive peroxides can form. In other words, even in a spark/flame free environment, explosions can still happen when ether vapour is encountered.

For this reason its probably a good idea to have some way of removing vapours from the vicinity (a fume hood would be a fine example) and (Zaphraud suggests) one should not use ether on days with extremely low humidity. Because diethyl ether is so flammable, and prone to ingition, this procedure should be carried out using a hotplater/stirrer designed for use in flammable environments. Such a heater/stirrer does not produce a contact spark when the hotplate is turned on, and generally employs a brushless AC motor for the stirrer, because DC motors with brushes generally produce small sparks which could ignite any stray vapours.

Diethyl ether is prepared from ethanol (a.k.a grain alcohol, ethyl alcohol, drinking alcohol) by heating it with concentrated. The reaction proceeds thru an intermediary, "Ethyl sulfuric acid", as do most reactions of this type.

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