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Disinfectants and oxidizers

Ethylene oxide

Also known as Oxirane, Epoxyethane, 1,2-Epoxyethane

CAS 75-21-8Formula C2H4OMolar mass 44.05 g/molEC 200-849-9
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Flammable, Corrosive, Acute toxicity (severe), Serious health hazard 116 suppliers listed
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Ethylene oxide chemical structure, C2H4O, CAS 75-21-8
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless gas at ordinary room temp and pressure, liquid below 12 °C
Melting point
-111.7 °C
Boiling point
10.6 °C
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 0.9
Flash point
-29 °C
HS code
291010
Category
Disinfectants and oxidizers
UN number
UN 1040
Illustrative photo, a bundle of gas cylinders on a manifold in a chemical plant
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Ethylene oxide?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Oxirane is a saturated organic heteromonocyclic parent that is a three-membered heterocycle of two carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. It has a role as a mutagen, an allergen and a mouse metabolite. It is a gas molecular entity, a saturated organic heteromonocyclic parent and an oxacycle.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
oxirane
CAS number
75-21-8 CAS number cross-checked
EC numbers
200-849-9, 617-762-0
Molecular formula
C2H4O
UNII
JJH7GNN18P
MDL number
MFCD00014482
InChIKey
IAYPIBMASNFSPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C2H4O/c1-2-3-1/h1-2H2
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
C1CO1

Synonyms

  • Oxirane
  • Epoxyethane
  • 1,2-Epoxyethane
  • Oxacyclopropane
  • Dihydrooxirene
  • Anprolene
  • Oxidoethane
  • Oxyfume
  • Ethene oxide
  • Dimethylene oxide
  • Amprolene
  • Anproline
  • Aethylenoxid
  • Merpol
  • Oxiran
  • 1,2-Epoxyaethan
  • Oxyfume 12
  • T-Gas
  • Oxirene, Dihydro-
  • Ethyleenoxide
  • Oxiraan
  • Ethox
  • Etylenu tlenek
  • Rcra waste number U115
  • Etilene (ossido di)
Show all 38 synonyms
  • alpha,beta-Oxidoethane
  • Ethylene (oxyde d')
  • ethyleneoxy
  • CIBA-GEIGY 9138
  • Sterilizing gas ethylene oxide 100%
  • Oxide, Ethylene
  • 1,2-Epoxy ethane
  • ethyleneoxide
  • Qazi-ketcham
  • ETO
  • oxyde d'ethylene
  • UN 1040
  • E.O.

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 gas at ordinary room temp and pressure, liquid below 12 °Cexp.
Odour
Sweetexp.
Melting point
-111.7 °Cexp.
Boiling point
10.6 °Cexp.
Density
Relative density (water = 1): 0.9exp.
Flash point
-29 °Cexp.
Autoignition temperature
429 °Cexp.
Solubility
Miscible with waterexp.
Vapour pressure
1,310 mm Hg at 25 °C (extrapolated)exp.

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
44.05 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
44.0262 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
0.02calc.
Topological polar surface area
12.53 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
0calc.
Heavy atoms
3calc.
Rings
1calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
1calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, C1CO1

C1CO1

1 ring, 3 atoms. This chemical is the scaffold itself.

3,057 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS02: Flammable
Flammable
GHS05: Corrosive
Corrosive
GHS06: Acute toxicity (severe)
Acute toxicity (severe)
GHS08: Serious health hazard
Serious health hazard
433NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H220Extremely flammable gas.
  • H301Toxic if swallowed.
  • H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
  • H318Causes serious eye damage.
  • H331Toxic if inhaled.
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation.
  • H336May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
  • H340May cause genetic defects.
  • H350May cause cancer.
  • H360FdMay damage fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child.
  • H372Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Precautionary statements (28)
  • P203Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P222Do not allow contact with air.
  • P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • 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 + P316If swallowed: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P301 + P330 + P331If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting.
  • P302 + P361 + P354If on skin: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P318If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
  • P377Leaking gas fire: do not extinguish, unless leak can be stopped safely.
  • P381In case of leakage, eliminate all ignition sources.
  • P403Store in a well-ventilated place.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 1040
Transport hazard class
2.3

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 aid

Ethylene oxide suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 116 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

116 suppliers in 22 countries

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Ethylene oxide price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

/In the/ manufacture of ethylene glycol and higher glycols, surfactants, acrylonitrile, ethanolamines, petroleum demulsifier, fumigant, rocket propellant, industrial sterilant (e.g., medical plastic tubing), fungicide.

ETO is an antimicrobial and conventional chemical. It is a biocide, Pesticide: fungicide, fumigant, herbicide, insecticide, rodenticide used to control the following pests: American foulbrood disease (Bacillus larvae), animal pathogenic bacteria, animal pathogenic fungi, bacteria, bacterial spores, Candida albicans, European foulbrood disease (Streptoccus pluton), Herpes simplex virus, Hew (FDA/BVM), unspecified microorganisms, Mycobacterium spp., Nosema apis, Pseudomonas spp., Rhinoviruses, storage microorganisms, stored product insects, wax moth. ... ETO is used to sterilize medical or laboratory equipment, pharmaceuticals, and aseptic packaging ...

Read more

or to reduce microbial load on musical instruments, cosmetics, whole and ground spices or other seasoning materials ... and artifacts, archival material or library objects. In North Carolina, ETO is also used to fumigate beehive equipment (eg, woodenware boxes and frames) and wax or plastic combs that are contaminated with the bacteria Paenibacillus larvae, the cause of American Foulbrood Disease.

ETO is used to sterilize new and reusable medical equipment (eg, surgical instruments, hypodermic needles/syringes, surgical prosthetic parts, hemodialysis machines, heart and lung machines, dental instruments, veterinary instruments, heat labile material, moisture labile material, oral and inhalation equipment, diagnostic instruments, thermometers, surgical dressings, first aid equipment). Approximately 7.4 million pounds are used annually for sterilization of medical and laboratory items/equipment. ...

Pharmacological actions

  • Disinfectants

Roles

  • aetiopathogenetic role
  • allergen
  • animal metabolite
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • genotoxin
  • mammalian metabolite
  • metabolite
  • mouse metabolite
  • mutagen

Functional uses

  • Biocide
  • Fragrance
  • Surfactant (surface active agent)

Pharmacology

Ethylene Oxide is colorless, odorless, flammable, toxic gaseous cyclic ether with a sweet ether-like smell. Ethylene oxide is used especially in the synthesis of ethylene glycol and as a sterilizing agent for medical supplies and foods, as a fumigant and as an insecticide. Exposure to this substance is highly irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract, induces nausea and vomiting and causes central nervous system depression. Ethylene oxide is mutagenic in humans and chronic exposure is associated with an increased risk of leukemia, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. (NCI05)

How it is made

(1) Oxidation of ethylene in air or oxygen with silver catalyst, (2) action of an alkali on ethylene chlorohydrin.

Prepared from ethylene chlorohydrin and potassium hydroxide ... manufactured by catalytic oxidation of ethylene.

Direct oxidation ... utilizes the catalytic oxidation of ethylene with oxygen over a silver-based catalyst...

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 603-023-00-X

Health and food

  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II, prohibited in cosmetics
    Name: Ethylene oxide, Ref no: 182, Annex ref: II/182

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 Ethylene oxide is traded under.

HS 2910.10Exact HS code

Oxirane (ethylene oxide)

World exports in 2024
$437M
+1.1% vs 2023, imports $437M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Germany40.7%
  2. Netherlands25.2%
  3. Belgium18.6%
Top importers
  1. Germany23.8%
  2. Italy23.6%
  3. France * partner reported10.7%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Ethylene oxide is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Ethylene oxide, based on the data on this page

What is Ethylene oxide?

Oxirane is a saturated organic heteromonocyclic parent that is a three-membered heterocycle of two carbon atoms and one oxygen atom. It has a role as a mutagen, an allergen and a mouse metabolite. It is a gas molecular entity, a saturated organic heteromonocyclic parent and an oxacycle.

What is the CAS number of Ethylene oxide?

The CAS registry number of Ethylene oxide is 75-21-8.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Ethylene oxide?

The molecular formula of Ethylene oxide is C2H4O and its molar mass is 44.05 g/mol.

What is Ethylene oxide used for?

/In the/ manufacture of ethylene glycol and higher glycols, surfactants, acrylonitrile, ethanolamines, petroleum demulsifier, fumigant, rocket propellant, industrial sterilant (e.g., medical plastic tubing), fungicide. ETO is an antimicrobial and conventional chemical.

Is Ethylene oxide hazardous?

Ethylene oxide carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: extremely flammable gas, toxic if swallowed, causes severe skin burns and eye damage. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Ethylene oxide?

Ethylene oxide is usually classified under HS code 291010 (Oxirane (ethylene oxide)). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Ethylene oxide?

CompoundList lists 116 suppliers of Ethylene oxide in United States, China, India, Germany and 18 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Ethylene oxide in India?

14 suppliers in India list Ethylene oxide on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Ethylene oxide?

Suppliers quote Ethylene oxide on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Ethylene oxide

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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