Substance profile
2-methoxyethyl acetate
2-methoxyethyl acetate is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor.
01 · Identification
What 2-methoxyethyl acetate is
2-methoxyethyl acetate is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odor. Its molecular formula is C5H10O3 and its molecular weight is 118.13 g/mol. It boils at 145 °C, melts at -65.1 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 2nd degree.
02 · Identifiers
2-methoxyethyl acetate identifiers and molecular data
2-methoxyethyl acetate CAS number and EC number
2-methoxyethyl acetate molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for 2-methoxyethyl acetate
- methylglycol acetate
03 · GHS classification
2-methoxyethyl acetate hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
2-methoxyethyl acetate pictograms and signal word
2-methoxyethyl acetate hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Acute toxicity - dermal GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H312 | GHS07 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H332 | GHS07 |
2-methoxyethyl acetate hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H360FD | May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to 2-methoxyethyl acetate. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for 2-methoxyethyl acetate
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of 2-methoxyethyl acetate issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
2-methoxyethyl acetate precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 10 precautionary statements to 2-methoxyethyl acetate. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
2-methoxyethyl acetate name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | 2-метоксиетилов ацетат метилгликолов ацетат |
| Spanish español | Acetato de 2-metoxietilo acetato de metilglicol |
| Czech čeština | 2-methoxyethyl-acetát methylglykol-acetát |
| Danish dansk | 2-methoxyethylacetat methylglycolacetat |
| German Deutsch | 2-Methoxyethylacetat Methylglycolacetat |
| Estonian eesti | 2-metoksüetüülatsetaat metüülglükoolatsetaat |
| Greek ελληνικά | οξικός 2-μεθοξυαιθυλεστέρας οξικό 2-μεθοξυαιθύλιοοξική μεθυλογλυκόλη |
| English English | 2-methoxyethyl acetate methylglycol acetate |
| French français | acétate de 2-méthoxyéthyle acétate de méthylglycol |
| Croatian hrvatski | 2-metoksietil-acetat metilglikol-acetat |
| Italian italiano | 2-metossietil-acetato acetato di etilenglicolmonometiletereacetato di metilglicol |
| Latvian latviešu | 2-metoksietilacetāts metilglikolacetāts |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | 2-metoksietilacetatas metilglikolio acetatas |
| Hungarian magyar | 2-metoxietil-acetát metilglikol-acetát |
| Maltese Malti | aċetat ta’ 2-metossietil aċetat tal-metilglikol |
| Dutch Nederlands | 2-methoxyethylacetaat methylglycolacetaat |
| Polish polski | octan 2-metoksyetylu octan metyloglikoluester metoksyetylowy kwasu octowego |
| Portuguese português | acetato de 2-metoxietilo acetato de metilglicol |
| Romanian română | acetat de 2-metoxietil acetat de metilglicol |
| Slovak slovenčina | (2-metoxyetyl)-acetát metylglykol-acetát |
| Slovenian slovenščina | 2-metoksietil acetat metilglikol acetat |
| Finnish suomi | 2-metoksietyyliasetaatti metyyliglykoliasetaatti |
| Swedish svenska | 2-metoxietylacetat metylglykolacetat |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
2-methoxyethyl acetate GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for 2-methoxyethyl acetate, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
2-methoxyethyl acetate
- May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.
- Harmful if inhaled.
- Harmful in contact with skin.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF ON SKIN:
- IF INHALED:
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- Wash with plenty of water/…
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open 2-methoxyethyl acetate in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
2-methoxyethyl acetate health hazards and exposure limits
2-methoxyethyl acetate hazard summary
After repeated 8-hour exposures to 200-1000 ppm, animals show evidence of kidney and bone marrow damage. [ACGIH] For ethylene glycol ethers, there is limited positive evidence of spontaneous abortions and decreased sperm counts in humans and strong positive evidence of birth defects and testicular damage in animals. [ATSDR Case Studies # 29] Potential adverse effects include injury to the bone marrow, kidneys, and CNS (unconsciousness). May be a reproductive toxin and defat the skin; [ICSC] See Glycol ethers.
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
2-methoxyethyl acetate occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 25.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 25 ppm (120 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 25 ppm (120 mg/m3) [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 0.1 ppm (0.5 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 0.1 ppm (0.5 mg/m3) [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 200 ppm (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 200.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs: Human data: It has been stated that methyl Cellosolve® acetate is slightly less toxic than methyl Cellosolve® [Gosselin et al. 1984]. | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
2-methoxyethyl acetate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
2-methoxyethyl acetate boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 145 °C (293 °F) | HSDB | |
| 145 °C (293 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
2-methoxyethyl acetate melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -65.1 °C (-85.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -65 °C (-85 °F) | NIOSH |
2-methoxyethyl acetate density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.01 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.0065 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.0074 g/cm³ | at 19 °C | HSDB |
2-methoxyethyl acetate solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with most organic solvents, oils | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in water, ethyl ether, and ethanol; soluble in carbon tetrachloride. | HSDB | ||
| Infinitely soluble in water at 25 °C; water infinitely soluble in methyl cellosolve acetate at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
2-methoxyethyl acetate vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 2 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 2 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 7 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB |
2-methoxyethyl acetate flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 45 °C (113 °F) | HSDB | |
| 55.6 °C (132.1 °F) | Open cup | HSDB | |
| 48.89 °C (120 °F) | NIOSH |
2-methoxyethyl acetate autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 394 °C (741.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 393.33 °C (740 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 380 °C (716 °F) | ICSC |
2-methoxyethyl acetate lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.7 % by volume | HSDB |
2-methoxyethyl acetate upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 8.2 % by volume | HSDB |
2-methoxyethyl acetate vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 4.1 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 4.07 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
2-methoxyethyl acetate odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 0.33 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Odor Threshold High: 0.64 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 0.33 ppm) | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
2-methoxyethyl acetate fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
2-methoxyethyl acetate fire potential
MODERATE /FIRE HAZARD/ WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT OR FLAME; CAN REACT WITH OXIDIZING MATERIALS
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
2-methoxyethyl acetate storage and handling
2-methoxyethyl acetate peroxide formation
D: Other compounds that may form peroxides
Source: Lab and Research Safety, University of Minnesota
2-methoxyethyl acetate safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants, strong bases and strong acids. Keep in the dark.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
2-methoxyethyl acetate storage conditions
Fire proof. Separated from strong oxidants, strong bases, strong acids. Keep in the dark.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
2-methoxyethyl acetate incompatible materials
Nitrates, strong oxidizers, alkalis & acids
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
2-methoxyethyl acetate reactivity
Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 2-methoxyethyl acetate in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
2-methoxyethyl acetate — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of 2-methoxyethyl acetate?
The CAS number of 2-methoxyethyl acetate is 110-49-6. Its EC number is 203-772-9.
What is the chemical formula of 2-methoxyethyl acetate?
The molecular formula of 2-methoxyethyl acetate is C5H10O3 and its molecular weight is 118.13 g/mol.
What does a 2-methoxyethyl acetate label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for 2-methoxyethyl acetate carries the pictograms Health hazard and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is 2-methoxyethyl acetate flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns 2-methoxyethyl acetate no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 45 °C (113 °F) (HSDB).
Is 2-methoxyethyl acetate a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for 2-methoxyethyl acetate. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for 2-methoxyethyl acetate?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for 2-methoxyethyl acetate is 25.0 [ppm] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of 2-methoxyethyl acetate?
The boiling point reported for 2-methoxyethyl acetate is 145 °C (293 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of 2-methoxyethyl acetate?
The melting point reported for 2-methoxyethyl acetate is -65.1 °C (-85.2 °F) (HSDB).
How should 2-methoxyethyl acetate be stored?
Fire proof. Separated from strong oxidants, strong bases, strong acids. Keep in the dark. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
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