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Chemical Name: Isopropyl Ether
Synonyms: Diisopropyl Ether
CAS Number: 108-20-3
Molecular Formula: C6H14O
Description: This colorless, highly flammable liquid shows up with a sweet, ether-like odor in labs and industry sites. It finds uses as a solvent, especially for polar compounds, making it valuable for certain extraction and purification processes.
Main Hazards: Extremely flammable, risk of explosive peroxides with time or on exposure to air, vapor may ignite or cause flashback, inhalation causes dizziness, nausea, and even unconsciousness, liquid and vapor irritate eyes and skin, repeated exposure dries or cracks the skin, harmful if swallowed.
Hazard Statements: Easily catches fire even with static discharges, vapors form explosive mixtures with air, inhaling highly concentrated vapor causes headaches, drowsiness, or CNS depression.
Precautions: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flame, use only in well-ventilated areas, store airtight.
Isopropyl Ether: More than 99% by weight
Typical Impurities: Small amounts of peroxides can build up over time, sometimes with trace alcohols.
Other Substances: Usually no major additional substances in high-purity lots.
Inhalation: Move out of area to fresh air, loosen tight clothes, keep person calm and upright, seek medical help if breathing remains difficult or if dizziness continues.
Skin Contact: Flush with plenty of water for at least fifteen minutes, remove contaminated clothing, get medical attention if irritation persists.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for at least fifteen minutes, do not rub, call a doctor without delay.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting to avoid aspiration, rinse mouth, seek medical attention at once.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or alcohol-resistant foam stops most small fires.
Hazards: Vapors may travel far and ignite with a flashback along surfaces, containers under fire risk explosion.
Protective Gear: Full protective clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus for fighters.
Marginal Notes: Keep drums cool with water spray, avoid water jets directly on substance as it can spread the burning liquid.
Personal Precautions: Remove ignition sources, evacuate non-essential personnel, ventilate area, use spark-proof tools.
Protective Equipment: Wear gloves, splash-proof goggles, flame-resistant coveralls, and respiratory protection in enclosed spaces.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spills from reaching drains or open waters.
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with sand, vermiculite, or inert dry material, pick up with non-sparking tools, store residue in safe, labeled containers for disposal.
Safe Handling: Work in chemical fume hoods, ground all containers and equipment, avoid static buildup, avoid contact with oxidizing agents or acids.
Storage: Keep tightly closed in dry, cool, well-ventilated areas, away from sunlight, store in containers that block light to reduce peroxide formation, check older stock often for peroxide buildup.
Incompatibilities: Avoid oxidizers, acids, strong bases, and sources of heat. Peroxides may form on contact with air and cannot be easily spotted by casual inspection.
Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 500 ppm (2080 mg/m³), ACGIH TLV: 250 ppm (1040 mg/m³).
Engineering Controls: Good ventilation, chemical hoods, explosion-proof equipment in working areas.
Personal Protective Equipment: Nitrile or neoprene gloves, splash goggles, flame-resistant lab coats, face shield in high-risk scenarios.
Respiratory Protection: Use organic vapor cartridges or supplied-air respirators where vapor concentration goes above safe limits.
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Sweet, ether-like smell
Boiling Point: 68.5–69.5°C (155–157°F)
Melting Point: -60°C (-76°F)
Density: About 0.73 g/ml at room temperature
Vapor Pressure: About 50 mmHg at 20°C
Flash Point: -28°C (-18°F) (closed cup)
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, easily dissolves in alcohol, ether, acetone
Other Information: Generates peroxides on standing in air, so even unopened bottles can pose major risk after long storage.
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, but forms peroxides on exposure to air or light over time.
Reactivity: Highly reactive with oxidizing agents, acids, and strong bases. Over years, poorly stored bottles can accumulate explosive peroxides.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating and toxic fumes if burned or heated to decomposition.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact.
Short-Term Effects: Drowsiness, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, irritation of skin and mucous membranes.
Long-Term Effects: Can cause liver and kidney damage with chronic exposure to high vapor concentrations.
Cancer Risk: Not classified as carcinogenic in humans.
Other Notes: No antidote for overdose, supportive medical care remains the best approach.
Aquatic Toxicity: Moderately toxic to aquatic life and may cause adverse effects, especially with large spills.
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegrades slowly, risk of accumulation in soil and water if not handled properly.
Bioaccumulation: Low likelihood in living organisms, but repeated exposure or improper disposal could build up toxicity in the food chain.
Disposal Cautions: Avoid letting large amounts reach waterways or sewer systems to prevent ecosystem disruption.
Waste Handling: Treat spent or excess isopropyl ether as hazardous waste due to flammability and peroxide risk.
Disposal Methods: Send to approved chemical incinerators or disposal contractors with expertise in flammable organic liquids.
Container Handling: Empty drums or bottles without rinsing under supervision to avoid peroxide explosions, decontaminate containers before recycling or discarding.
Classification: Flammable liquid, hazardous for shipping by most routes.
Packing Group: II (medium danger)
UN Number: UN 1159
Special Precautions: Never transport near oxidizing chemicals, acids or sources of ignition, check for age-related peroxide formation before shipment, ship only in containers certified for hazardous materials.
Workplace Regulations: Falls under OSHA, EPA, and DOT rules in the United States for hazardous and flammable materials.
Labelling Laws: Mark containers with clear hazard symbols including flammable and health hazard pictograms.
Right-to-Know: Workers and handlers have the right to see MSDS before using this chemical, and to demand air monitoring in high-use workplaces.
Other Notes: Industries that use this solvent bear responsibility for safe storage, training their staff in emergency procedures, and reporting incidents involving significant spills or fire hazards.
