Diethyl ether
Also known as ether, Ethyl ether, Ethoxyethane
Key facts
What buyers check first
- Appearance
- Colorless, volatile, mobile liquid
- Melting point
- -116.3 °C
- Boiling point
- 34.6 °C
- Density
- Density (at 20 °C): 0.7 g/cm³
- Flash point
- -45 °C
- HS code
- 290911
- Category
- Central nervous system drugs
- UN number
- UN 1155
What is Diethyl ether?
Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms
Diethyl ether is an ether in which the oxygen atom is linked to two ethyl groups. It has a role as an inhalation anaesthetic, a non-polar solvent and a refrigerant. It is a volatile organic compound and an ether.
Identifiers
Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy
- IUPAC name
- ethoxyethane
- CAS number
- 60-29-7 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 667919-88-2
- EC number
- 200-467-2
- Molecular formula
- C4H10O
- UNII
- 0F5N573A2Y
- MDL number
- MFCD00011646
- INCI name
- ETHYL ETHER
- InChIKey
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/C4H10O/c1-3-5-4-2/h3-4H2,1-2H3
- SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
- CCOCC
Synonyms
- ether
- Ethyl ether
- Ethoxyethane
- Ethyl oxide
- Pronarcol
- Diethyl oxide
- Aether
- Anesthetic ether
- Anaesthetic ether
- Solvent ether
- 3-Oxapentane
- Ether, ethyl
- Diaethylaether
- Dwuetylowy eter
- Etere etilico
- Ether ethylique
- Anesthesia ether
- Oxyde d'ethyle
- 1,1'-Oxybisethane
- Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis-
- Diethylaether
- 1,1'-oxydiethane
- Ethyl ether, tech.
- Sulfuric ether
- Etherum
Show all 33 synonymsShow fewer synonyms
- RCRA waste number U117
- Ether, Diethyl
- Ether anaesthesicus
- Diethylether
- aether pro narcosi
- Ether, anhydrous
- (C2H5)2O
- ETHERWith Ethanol
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade
| Appearance | Colorless, volatile, mobile liquidexp.Measured value |
|---|---|
| Odour | Sweetish, pungent odorexp.Measured value |
| Taste | Burning and sweet tasteexp.Measured value |
| Melting point | -116.3 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Boiling point | 34.6 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Density | Density (at 20 °C): 0.7 g/cm³exp.Measured value |
| Flash point | -45 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Autoignition temperature | 180 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Solubility | In water, 6.04 × 10⁺⁴ mg/L at 25 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Vapour pressure | 538 mm Hg at 25 °Cexp.Measured value |
Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.
Computed descriptors
Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation
| Molecular weight | 74.12 g/molcalc.Computed value |
|---|---|
| Exact mass | 74.0732 Dacalc.Computed value |
| LogP (octanol/water) | 1.04calc.Computed value |
| Topological polar surface area | 9.23 Ųcalc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond donors | 0calc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond acceptors | 1calc.Computed value |
| Rotatable bonds | 2calc.Computed value |
| Heavy atoms | 5calc.Computed value |
| Rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Aromatic rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Fraction sp3 carbons | 1calc.Computed value |
| Formal charge | 0calc.Computed value |
| Stereocentres | 0calc.Computed value |
| Lipinski rule of five | Passes (0 violations)calc.Computed value |
Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.
Safety and hazards
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet
Hazard statements
- H224Extremely flammable liquid and vapour.
- H302Harmful if swallowed.
- H336May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Precautionary statements (21)
- P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- P233Keep container tightly closed.
- P240Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
- P241Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment.
- P242Use non-sparking tools.
- P243Take action to prevent static discharges.
- P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
- P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301 + P317If swallowed: Get medical help.
- P303 + P361 + P353If on skin (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
- P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P330Rinse mouth.
- P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
- P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- P403 + P235Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
- P405Store locked up.
- P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
- UN number
- UN 1155
- Transport hazard class
- 3
- Packing group
- I
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.
Full safety data and first aidDiethyl ether suppliers
Controlled substance, listings of documented suppliers only, in the documented ranking
Diethyl ether is controlled. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed before suppliers see it.
Reference: UN Convention against Illicit Traffic 1988 Table II, India NDPS controlled substance, HS 2022 subheading 2909.11 (diethyl ether)
Our policy on controlled substancesLicensed buyers can post a request for Diethyl ether with their licence. Our compliance team reviews it before suppliers see it.
Diethyl ether price
Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers
Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.
Uses and applications
What the substance is used for, by industry and function
Good solvent for fats, oils, dyes, gums, resins, raw rubber, smokeless powder, perfumes, and nitrocellulose. Also used in the manufacture of photographic films and pharmaceuticals, and as a reaction and extraction medium in the chemical industry. (Formerly (in U.S.A.)) used as an inhalation anesthetic in surgery, a refrigerant, in diesel fuels, in dry cleaning, and as a starting fuel for engines.
Used as a solvent for waxes, fats, oils, perfumes, alkaloids, dyes, gums, resins, nitrocellulose, hydrocarbons, raw rubber, and smokeless powder. ... used as an inhalation anesthetic, a refrigerant, in diesel fuels, in dry cleaning, as an extractant, and as a chemical reagent for various organic reactions.
For azeotropic distillation (entrainer) to obtain better separation.
"Unrefined" grade is used as component of cold weather starting fluids for diesel and gasoline engines, usually blended with other volatile, flammable materials such as propane and butane.
Industrial uses: Solvent, Other, Freeze-thaw additive, Intermediate, Laboratory chemicals.
Consumer uses: Other.
Industries and functions
Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name ETHYL ETHER(solvent)
Pharmacological actions
- Anesthetics, Inhalation
- Solvents
Roles
- anaesthetic
- general anaesthetic
- inhalation anaesthetic
- non-polar solvent
- pharmaceutical
- refrigerant
- solvent
Functional uses
- Solvent
Cosmetic functions
- Solvent
Pharmacology
Ether is an organic compound in which two carbon atoms are linked through an oxygen atom (C-O-C). An ether may be a product of the condensation of alcohols. Ether also refers loosely to diethyl-ether, a colorless, volatile, highly inflammable liquid used in industry and biomedical research, and historically important as an anesthetic agent. In vivo, ether acts similarly to alcohol and chloroform, but its stimulant action on the heart is much more marked. Ether is a rapidly diffusible stimulant. (NCI04)
How it is made
Produced on large scale by dehydration of ethanol or by hydration of ethylene, both processes being carried out in the presence of sulfuric acid.
Vapor phase dehydration of ethanol in a fixed-bed reactor using an alumina catalyst in greater than 95% yield.
/From/ ethylene (catalytic hydration, byproduct of ethanol production)
Regulatory status
Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance
Diethyl ether is controlled. Only documented suppliers can list it, and buyers must upload a valid licence with their request. Every request is reviewed before suppliers see it.
Reference: UN Convention against Illicit Traffic 1988 Table II, India NDPS controlled substance, HS 2022 subheading 2909.11 (diethyl ether)
Our policy on controlled substancesEurope
- EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)Index no: 603-022-00-4
Health and food
- EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
- Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels
Controls
- US DEA controlled substance or listed chemical
- Drug precursor (UN 1988 Convention)
United States
- TSCA inventory (USA)Status: Active in US commerce
HS code and trade data
Customs classification and reported world trade statistics
Global trade
World import and export statistics for the HS code Diethyl ether is traded under.
Ethers: acyclic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, diethyl ether
- Germany31.8%
- India * partner reported20.1%
- United States12.4%
- United States22.5%
- Canada9.3%
- South Korea5.3%
* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.
The HS code shown for Diethyl ether is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.
Related chemicals
Parent and salt forms, stereoisomers, similar structures and isomers
Salt and hydrate forms
Records that share this compound as their parent
Stereoisomers and isotopic forms
Same connectivity, different stereochemistry or isotopes (same InChIKey skeleton)
Similar structures
Nearest neighbours by Morgan fingerprint Tanimoto similarity
Same formula isomers
Different compounds that share this molecular formula
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Diethyl ether, based on the data on this page
What is Diethyl ether?
What is the CAS number of Diethyl ether?
What is the molecular formula and weight of Diethyl ether?
What is Diethyl ether used for?
Is Diethyl ether hazardous?
What is the HS code of Diethyl ether?
Can I buy Diethyl ether on CompoundList?
Guides for buyers
Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Diethyl ether
- Article, QualityPharma grades explained: IP vs BP vs USP vs EPWhat the Indian, British, US and European pharmacopoeias are, how their monographs differ, what multi grade claims mean and why a grade alone does not make a product fit for medicines.Read
- Guide, SafetyHow to read a safety data sheet in 10 minutesA section by section method to pull the essentials out of any 16 section SDS: identity, hazards, composition, storage, PPE, properties, transport and emergency measures.Read
- Guide, Trade and logisticsShipping dangerous goods: UN numbers, classes and packing groupsHow the UN dangerous goods system works for chemicals, from the nine classes and UN numbers to packing groups, UN packaging marks, labels, documents and segregation.Read
Request as a licensed buyer
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