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Product Name: Potassium Ethoxide
SYNONYMS: Ethanol, potassium salt; Ethoxy Potassium
CAS Number: 141-52-6
Molecular Formula: C2H5OK
Intended Use: Chemical synthesis, laboratory reagent, catalyst
Manufacturer Information: Provided by authorized chemical supplier
Contact Information: Emergency contact number — refer to supplier safety officer; address, phone and email are listed on shipment documents
GHS Classification: Flammable solids — Category 1, Corrosive to metals — Category 1, Acute toxicity — Oral Category 3, Skin corrosion — Category 1B, Eye damage — Category 1
Label Elements: Danger — Flame, Corrosive pictograms
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable solid, reacts violently with water, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, toxic if swallowed, fire or explosion risk from moisture
Precautionary Statements: Avoid all ignition sources, prevent contact with water, use only with proper protection, do not breathe dust or fumes, keep container tightly closed, keep away from acids
Substance: Potassium Ethoxide
Chemical Identity: Ethanol, potassium salt
Concentration: 95% or higher (by weight), impurities less than 5%
Impurities: Trace amounts of ethanol, potassium hydroxide
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, seek immediate medical help, provide supplemental oxygen if coughing or breathing difficulty occurs
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin for several minutes under running water, seek immediate medical attention
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 20 minutes, remove contact lenses, continue rinsing, get emergency medical attention
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, immediately call poison center or doctor, rinse mouth if conscious, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry powder extinguishers (class D), sodium carbonate, or dry sand
Unsuitable Media: Water, foam, or carbon dioxide — will react violently, risk of explosion
Hazards During Fire: May release toxic, corrosive gases including potassium oxides, ethanol vapors, flammable hydrogen
Advice for Firefighters: Wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus, avoid inhalation of fumes and vapor, isolate fire area, prevent runoff into drains or waterways
Personal Precautions: Evacuate personnel, restrict access, use chemical-resistant gloves, fitted splash goggles, face shield, flame-resistant clothing, use respirator for dust or vapor
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering drains, surface water or soil
Containment and Cleanup: Scoop up solid with non-sparking tools, cover with dry sand or inert absorbent, transfer to a clean, dry metal container, seal and label for disposal, ventilate area
Decontamination: Wash contaminated area with copious detergent and water after physical cleanup, avoid use of water directly on spilled solid, neutralize small residues carefully with dilute acetic acid
Precautions for Safe Handling: Always use under dry, inert atmosphere (nitrogen or argon), prevent static discharge, ground all equipment, handle away from body and face, avoid breathing dust or vapors, prohibit smoking or open flame in area, train staff in proper emergency response
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly sealed, moisture-proof metal containers, segregated from acids, halogens, oxidizers, water and foods, keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, label all containers clearly, monitor regularly for leaks or damage, keep out of reach of unauthorized persons
Occupational Exposure Limit: No established threshold limit value (TLV); minimize exposure by containment and controls
Engineering Controls: Enclose operations, use fume hood with explosion-proof ventilation, monitor air for particulate and VOCs
Personal Protective Equipment: Flame-retardant lab coat, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), safety goggles or face shield, flameproof apron, use NIOSH-approved respirator when airborne exposure risk exists
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before breaks and after handling, do not eat, drink or smoke in handling areas, change contaminated clothing immediately, ensure eyewash and safety shower are accessible
Appearance: White to yellow, crystalline solid or powder, strong ethanol odor
Odor Threshold: Pungent, distinct alcohol-like smell detectable at low levels
pH: Strongly basic in aqueous suspension
Melting Point: 160–176°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Reacts before boiling
Flash Point: 12°C (ethanol also present, increased risk)
Evaporation Rate: Not measurable due to rapid hydrolysis
Flammability: Extremely flammable solid, pyrophoric in humid air
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not reliably determined, but can ignite spontaneously in moist conditions
Decomposition Temperature: Above 160°C may release potassium oxide and ethanol
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Reacts violently with water, soluble in ethanol and ether
Density: 0.89–0.93 g/cm³
Partition Coefficient (n-Octanol/Water): Not applicable — hydrolyzes in water
Viscosity: Not applicable (solid material)
Chemical Stability: Stable under dry, inert gas and tightly closed conditions, rapidly degrades in moist air
Reactivity: Violent reaction with water or acids, formation of ethanol and potassium hydroxide, fire and explosion risk
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, heat sources, ignition sources, open air, incompatible chemicals
Incompatible Materials: Water, acids, halogens, oxidizers, strong reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Potassium oxides, ethanol, hydrogen gas, possibly other organics
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 305 mg/kg
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes rapid, severe burns, may result in deep tissue destruction
Eye Damage: Causes permanent vision loss, rapid tissue damage
Respiratory Effects: Dust or vapors cause lung irritation, risk of pulmonary edema
Ingestion Effects: Severe burns to mouth, throat, stomach; risk of systemic toxicity
Chronic Effects: No definitive data, repeated exposure may lead to skin sensitization, chronic respiratory problems from tissue damage
Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified as carcinogen or mutagen according to available sources
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms due to strong alkalinity, causes pH shift in water bodies
Bioaccumulation: Not likely — rapidly hydrolyzes, potassium ion is abundant in environment
Persistence and Degradability: Breaks down quickly in presence of water to harmless products
Mobility in Soil: Migrates readily in moist conditions due to reaction, risk of soil contamination by alkalization
Other Harmful Effects: High local concentrations may disrupt soil microbes, aquatic flora, and fauna
Precautions: Prevent uncontrolled releases, use secondary containment in storage and transfer areas
Methods: Small residual quantities may be neutralized slowly with dilute acetic acid in an inert, fire-proof container with copious cooling and constant stirring; large volumes must be collected by licensed chemical disposal contractor
Disposal of Contaminated Packaging: Wash container thoroughly with water (neutralize rinse), dispose as hazardous chemical waste according to local and federal laws
Regulatory Requirements: Follow all hazardous waste regulations, never dump in sink or regular trash, inform authorities if accidental release affects public land or water
UN Number: UN 3206
UN Proper Shipping Name: Ethoxide, inorganic, solid, n.o.s. (includes Potassium Ethoxide)
Transport Hazard Class: 4.3 (Dangerous when wet), 4.1 (Flammable Solid)
Packing Group: I (high danger)
Special Precautions for Transport: Keep containers tightly sealed, use watertight, robust, pressure-relief design, label all shipments clearly, segregate from acids, water, oxidizers, train carriers and emergency crews in case of accidental release
OSHA Status: Considered hazardous by definition
TSCA Inventory: Listed
SARA 302/304/311/312/313: Acute, fire, and reactive hazard categories apply
California Proposition 65: Not listed as a carcinogen or reproductive toxin
REACH Registration: Data available upon request from supplier for EU users, registered with ECHA
Other National/International Regulations: Detailed workplace exposure and reporting requirements enforced in US, EU, Canada, Japan, Australia; strict transport controls under UN guidelines
Training Requirements: Employers provide hazard communication training, chemical hygiene plans, and access to full MSDS information for all staff
