© 2026 Sinochem Nanjing Corporation,
All Right Reserved
Chemical Name: 2-Ethyl Hexyl Acetate
Common Uses: Found in coatings, inks, fragrances, and cleaning agents
Synonyms: Acetic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester
Physical Form: Colorless liquid
Odor: Fruity
CAS Number: 103-09-3
Main Hazards: Vapor irritation to eyes, nose, and respiratory tract, skin contact can result in mild irritation, ingestion could cause gastrointestinal distress
Acute Health Risks: Headache and dizziness after inhalation of high concentrations, eye watering, some risk of drowsiness from overexposure
Chronic Health Considerations: Repeated or prolonged contact may dry or crack skin, some reports of mild liver effects in animal studies, though data for humans is limited
Environmental Impact: Can be moderately toxic to aquatic life if spilled in large quantities, especially before degradation breaks it down
Chemical Content: More than 98% 2-Ethyl Hexyl Acetate by weight
Impurities: Trace residuals from synthesis like acetic acid or 2-ethylhexanol possible in low ppm range, not typically hazardous at trace levels
Mixtures: Product as supplied is not usually blended with other active ingredients in industrial supply barrels or drums
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with clean water for 15 minutes, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Wash area with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, if irritation continues consult a doctor
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air, monitor for headache or breathing discomfort, medical help if symptoms do not improve
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, avoid vomiting, medical attention advised
Special Notes: Individuals with pre-existing respiratory or skin conditions often need extra attention
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide, water spray to cool
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and unidentified organic compounds can be produced by burning
Protective Equipment: Firefighters rely on self-contained breathing apparatus and full gear to deal with vapors
Special Risks: Containers may rupture when exposed to fire, vapors can travel and ignite at a distance from the source
Personal Precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, appropriate clothing
Spill Response: Contain using inert absorbents such as sand or vermiculite, scoop up for disposal
Cleaning Methods: Ventilate area, avoid allowing runoff into waterways, ensure complete removal to avoid slips and clean residue
Environmental Precautions: Keep spills away from drains or soil, proper disposal methods help reduce risk to groundwater
Safe Handling: Use only in well-ventilated spaces, avoid direct inhalation or skin contact, keep incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers away
Workplace Practices: Closed systems or local exhaust recommend in manufacturing or extensive use
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers, cool and dry spots, out of direct sunlight, away from ignition sources, lightning protection for bulk storage important
Storage Materials: Compatible with stainless steel and some plastics, avoid copper or aluminum for long-term holding
Engineering Controls: Process enclosures and ventilated areas limit airborne vapors
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety glasses, gloves (nitrile or neoprene), lab coats or coveralls, shoes that cover skin entirely
Respiratory Protection: Organics vapor cartridge or supplied-air respirators for poorly ventilated zones
Hygiene Measures: Hand washing after handling, no eating or drinking in use areas, routine glove checks limit skin absorption
Boiling Point: 210—216 °C
Melting Point: Less than -70 °C
Vapor Pressure: Low, typically below 1 mmHg at room temperature
Density: Around 0.87 g/cm³, lighter than water
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, mixes better with organics like alcohols and ethers
Appearance: Clear, colorless oily liquid
Odor Threshold: Noticeable, fruity and sweet under most conditions
Stability: Remains stable under standard ambient conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Strong heat, sources of ignition, prolonged exposure to sunlight
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, bases, rusty iron or other metals can catalyze unwanted reaction
Decomposition Products: Generates acetic acid and related compounds if broken down by extreme heat or chemicals
Inhalation: Breathing high concentrations sometimes produces irritation, lightheadedness
Skin Contact: Mildly irritating on repeated exposure, risk of dryness or cracking
Ingestion: Possible burning sensation in digestive tract, discomfort but rarely life-threatening
Long-term Exposure: Laboratory research shows some reversible effects on liver and kidneys in animals, direct links to severe or chronic toxicity in humans not well established
Carcinogenicity: No current strong evidence suggest cancer risk for this substance
Persistence: Breaks down over days to weeks in soil and water, not considered highly persistent
Bioaccumulation: Moderate risk due to its oily consistency, but typical environmental concentrations seldom allow buildup in organisms
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to fish and small invertebrates at direct spill concentrations
Degradability: Sunlight and natural bacteria speed breakdown, reducing environmental persistence
Soil Mobility: Spreads in spills but does not travel far once absorbed or mixed with organic matter
Disposal Methods: Collect in sealed containers for licensed chemical waste disposal, never pour into regular trash or sewers
Incineration: Preferred final step for bulk residues when allowed under local laws
Contaminated Packaging: Empty drums or bottles handled as hazardous waste until fully washed
Regulatory Waste Codes: Chemical-specific identifiers guide disposal in many countries to prevent illegal dumping or mishandling
Shipping Name: 2-Ethyl Hexyl Acetate
Classification: Not always considered dangerous for road or rail, but sometimes flagged as flammable liquid for marine or air shipments
Packing Group: Often in group III—lower risk, yet still handled with standard care
Unusual Hazards: Large leaks can generate enough vapor to threaten confined spaces or cause slippery conditions
Workplace Exposure Limits: Specific values may vary by country, but most government guidelines suggest keeping airborne levels well below concentrations causing irritation
Chemicals Listing: Recorded on many national and international chemical inventories including the US TSCA and EU REACH
Labeling Requirements: Hazard pictograms (flammable, irritant), appropriate hazard and precautionary statements
Community Right-To-Know: Reportable quantities set for larger users, but not every community will see identical rules
Other Regulations: Product life cycle controls encourage responsible use, recycling or energy recovery during disposal, and mandatory reporting for major spills or exposures
