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Product Name: Isoamyl Ether
Chemical Name: 3-Methoxy-3-methylbutane
Synonyms: Isoamyl methyl ether, Isopentyl methyl ether
CAS Number: 556-56-9
Physical State: Colorless liquid
Odor: Strong, sweet, ether-like smell
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid category 2, Acute toxicity category 4 (inhalation), Eye irritation category 2A
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. Harmful if inhaled. Can cause serious eye irritation.
Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation mark
Physical Hazards: Spreads vapors easily at room temperature, which can travel along surfaces and ignite far from the source. Builds up static electricity.
Health Hazards: Breathing in vapors causes dizziness, headaches, or nausea. Liquid can irritate skin or eyes. Long exposure may make symptoms worse.
Environmental Hazards: Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects if released in quantity.
Chemical Name: Isoamyl Ether
Purity: Greater than 98% (typical commercial product)
Impurities: Trace organics or peroxides may develop on storage if improperly sealed or exposed to air
Formula: C6H14O
Molecular Weight: 102.18 g/mol
Inhalation: Move the person to fresh air right away. If they have trouble breathing, keep them comfortable and call for medical help. Don’t let anyone faint stay down too long.
Skin Contact: Wash affected area with soap and plenty of water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention if redness or irritation lingers.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water for several minutes, keeping eyelids wide apart. Take out contact lenses if that can be done quickly. Get medical advice if discomfort remains.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly. Don’t induce vomiting. Get immediate medical attention. Monitor for drowsiness or trouble breathing.
Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide. Water spray works to cool containers but direct water stream can spread the fire.
Special Hazards: Vapors are heavier than air, gathering in low spots and risking flashback ignition. Burns with an almost invisible flame.
Protective Equipment: Wear full firefighter gear with self-contained breathing apparatus. Remove containers from fire if safe. Handle run-off carefully, since it carries contamination risk.
Personal Precautions: Clear the area. Keep people upwind. Use gloves and goggles. Get rid of open flames and sources of sparks. Ventilate enclosed spaces well.
Cleanup Methods: Absorb spilled liquid on sand, earth, or an inert absorbent. Use explosion-proof tools and grounded equipment when cleaning up. Place collected material in a well-sealed, labeled drum for disposal.
Environmental Precautions: Don’t let product escape into drains or streams. Notify the proper authorities to avoid environmental damage if a large spill occurs.
Handling: Work outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms. Keep sources of sparks, flames, or static away. Wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety goggles every time you open the bottle. Use non-sparking tools.
Storage: Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place. Avoid exposure to air or sunlight. Keep away from acids, oxidizing agents, and ignition sources. Store containers upright and on secure shelving.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or fume hoods to limit exposure. Ground all equipment to avoid static build-up. Maintain good hygiene by washing hands before eating or drinking.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear chemical goggles or face shields, gloves made from nitrile or butyl rubber, and flame-resistant lab clothing. In areas with poor ventilation, use an approved organic vapor respirator.
Exposure Limits: No specific OSHA or ACGIH limits for isoamyl ether, but treat as hazardous and minimize exposure as much as possible. Monitor for symptoms if working for long periods.
Appearance: Colorless liquid
Odor: Strong, sweet, ether-like
Melting Point: About -89°C
Boiling Point: About 100-102°C
Flash Point: Below 0°C (very flammable)
Vapor Pressure: High at room temperature
Solubility: Poor in water, mixes easily with alcohols and other ethers
Density: Around 0.78 g/cm³ at 20°C
Auto-ignition Temperature: Roughly 180°C
Chemical Stability: Stays stable in unopened containers stored away from light and heat. May form explosive peroxides if stored for a long time or exposed to air.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sunlight, open flames, static discharge, and contact with oxidizers or acids.
Hazardous Reactions: May violently react with strong oxidizers. Forms flammable or noxious vapors if heated or decomposed.
Decomposition Products: Burns to make carbon oxides and other hazardous fumes.
Acute Effects: Inhaling vapors causes symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Eye and skin contact causes irritation, redness, and sometimes swelling. Swallowing can bring nausea, vomiting, and depressed nervous system.
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure isn’t well documented, though repeated high-level inhalation may harm the nervous system and liver.
Routes of Exposure: Vapors enter through the nose and mouth, liquid through skin and eyes.
Sensitization: No reports of allergic reactions.
Aquatic Toxicity: Shows high toxicity for aquatic organisms if a large spill occurs. Not biodegradable quickly, lingers for weeks in the environment.
Bioaccumulation: Low to moderate potential. Avoid releases into soil or water.
Mobility: Moves easily through soil and water due to its low water solubility and high volatility.
Environmental Fate: Breaks down slowly in surface waters, so spills need to be controlled quickly to stop lasting damage.
Method of Disposal: Gather waste in sealed and labeled containers. Send to a licensed chemical disposal facility. Don’t pour down the drain or in regular trash.
Precautions: Incinerate using equipment fitted with scrubbers to capture vapors. Follow all local regulations. Avoid open burning or untreated releases to air, soil, or water.
UN Number: UN1146
Proper Shipping Name: Isoamyl ether or Methyl isopentyl ether
Hazard Class: 3 (flammable liquid)
Packing Group: II (substantial hazard)
Labels: Flammable liquid, keep away from heat or spark
Transport Precautions: Use explosion-proof vehicles, proper placards, and emergency response guides. Secure containers upright and avoid jostling during transport.
Global Inventories: Registered in major chemical inventories like TSCA (United States), REACH (Europe), DSL (Canada), and similar official lists.
Regulatory Status: Classified as a flammable hazardous substance in most countries, subject to workplace controls, storage restrictions, and environmental reporting for large quantities.
Right-to-Know Laws: Requires hazard communication training, proper labeling, and public access to safety data sheets at workplaces using the substance.
