Substance profile
Bromoethane
Bromoethane is a liquid with an ether-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Bromoethane is
Bromoethane is a liquid with an ether-like odor. Its molecular formula is C2H5Br and its molecular weight is 108.97 g/mol. It boils at 38.2 °C, melts at -118 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · Identifiers
Bromoethane identifiers and molecular data
Bromoethane CAS number and EC number
Bromoethane molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Bromoethane
- ethyl bromide
03 · GHS classification
Bromoethane hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Bromoethane pictograms and signal word
Bromoethane hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 2 | H225 | GHS02 |
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H332 | GHS07 |
| Carcinogenicity GHS chapter 3.6 | Category 2 | H351 | GHS08 |
Bromoethane hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H351 | Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Bromoethane. 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 Bromoethane
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 Bromoethane 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
Bromoethane precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 16 precautionary statements to Bromoethane. 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
Bromoethane 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 | бромоетан етилбромид |
| Spanish español | Bromoetano bromuro de etilo |
| Czech čeština | bromethan ethylbromid |
| Danish dansk | bromethan |
| German Deutsch | Bromethan Ethylbromid |
| Estonian eesti | bromoetaan etüülbromiid |
| Greek ελληνικά | βρωμοαιθάνιο αιθυλοβρωμίδιο |
| English English | bromoethane ethyl bromide |
| French français | bromoéthane bromure d'éthyle |
| Croatian hrvatski | brometan etil-bromid |
| Italian italiano | bromoetano bromuro di etile |
| Latvian latviešu | brometāns etilbromīds |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | brometanas etilo bromidas |
| Hungarian magyar | bróm-etán etil-bromid |
| Maltese Malti | bromoetan bromur tal-etil |
| Dutch Nederlands | broomethaan ethylbromide |
| Polish polski | bromoetan bromek etylu |
| Portuguese português | bromoetano brometo de etilo |
| Romanian română | bromoetan bromură de etil |
| Slovak slovenčina | brómetán etylbromid |
| Slovenian slovenščina | bromoetan etil bromid |
| Finnish suomi | bromietaani etyylibromidi |
| Swedish svenska | brometan etylbromid |
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
Bromoethane GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Bromoethane, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Bromoethane
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
- Suspected of causing cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>.
- Harmful if inhaled.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- Obtain special instructions before use.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- 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 INHALED:
- IF exposed or concerned:
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- Rinse mouth.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Bromoethane in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Bromoethane health hazards and exposure limits
Bromoethane hazard summary
Anesthesia and liver toxicity occur in animal inhalation studies; [ACGIH] A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Bromoethane carcinogenicity classification
Under the conditions of these 2-year inhalation studies, there was some evidence of carcinogenic activity of bromoethane for male F344/N rats, as indicated by increased incidences of pheochromocytomas of the adrenal gland; neoplasms of the brain and lung may also have been related to exposure to bromoethane. For female F344/N rats, there was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity, as indicated by marginally increased incidences of neoplasms of the brain and lung. For male B6C3F1 mice, there was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity, based on marginally increased incidences of neoplasms of the lung. There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity for female B6C3F1 mice, as indicated by neoplasms of the uterus.
Source: US National Toxicology Program · TR-363: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Bromoethane (Ethyl Bromide) (CASRN 74-96-4) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies) (1989 )
Evaluation: No epidemiological data relevant to the carcinogenicity of bromoethane were available. There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of bromoethane. Overall evaluation: Bromoethane is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
Bromoethane occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 200.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 200 ppm (890 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 200 ppm (890 mg/m3) See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 200 ppm | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | 250 ppm | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| IDLH | 2000 ppm (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 2000.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 2000 ppm | Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) |
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
Bromoethane 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.
Bromoethane boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 38.2 °C (100.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 38.33 °C (101 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 38.39 °C (101.1 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Bromoethane melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -118.4 °C (-181.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| -118.89 °C (-182 °F) | NIOSH |
Bromoethane density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.46 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.4604 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.46 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Bromoethane solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | In water, 1.067, 0.965, 0.914, and 0.896 g/100 g water at 0, 10, 20, and 30 °C, respectively | HSDB | |
| Miscible with ethanol, ether, chloroform | HSDB | ||
| In water, 9,000 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Bromoethane vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 375 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 375 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 467 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Bromoethane flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -20 °C (-4 °F) | Closed cup | HSDB |
| -23.33 °C (-10 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| -20 °C (-4 °F) | ICSC |
Bromoethane autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 511.11 °C (952 °F) | HSDB | |
| 511 °C (951.8 °F) | ICSC |
Bromoethane lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 6.8 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 6.75 % by volume | CAMEO |
Bromoethane upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 8 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 11.25 % by volume | CAMEO |
Bromoethane vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 3.76 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Bromoethane odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 890 mg/cu m (Odor low); 890 mg/cu m (Odor high) | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 3.1 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor threshold from CHEMINFO | Haz-Map |
Bromoethane critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 776.8 °C (1430.2 °F) | HSDB |
Bromoethane corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Liquid ethyl bromide will attack some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Bromoethane 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.
Bromoethane fire potential
Dangerously flammable by heat, open flame (sparks), oxidizers.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Bromoethane storage and handling
Bromoethane safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from incompatible materials. Cool. Dry. Well closed. Ventilation along the floor.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Bromoethane storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Light sensitive. Refrigerate before opening. Over time, pressure may increase causing containers to burst. Handle and open container with care.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Bromoethane incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Carbon oxides, Hydrogen bromide gas.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Bromoethane reactivity
ETHYL BROMIDE will react with steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. It can react vigorously with oxidizers. It reacts with strong bases. It also reacts with chemically active metals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, powdered aluminum, zinc and magnesium. It will attack some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings. (NTP, 1992)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Bromoethane in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Bromoethane UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
Bromoethane under UN 1891 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETHYL BROMIDE | 3 | FT1 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 3 is “Flammable liquids” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethyl bromide | 3 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 3 is “Flammable and combustible liquid” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Bromoethane — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Bromoethane?
The CAS number of Bromoethane is 74-96-4. Its EC number is 200-825-8.
What is the chemical formula of Bromoethane?
The molecular formula of Bromoethane is C2H5Br and its molecular weight is 108.97 g/mol.
What does a Bromoethane label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Bromoethane carries the pictograms Flame, Health hazard and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is Bromoethane flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Bromoethane H225 — highly flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is -20 °C (-4 °F), Closed cup (HSDB).
Is Bromoethane a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI assigns Bromoethane H351 — suspected of causing cancer. That is category 2: the evidence points that way but is not conclusive. IARC places it in Group 3: not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans.
What is the exposure limit for Bromoethane?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Bromoethane is 200.0 [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 Bromoethane?
The boiling point reported for Bromoethane is 38.2 °C (100.8 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Bromoethane?
The melting point reported for Bromoethane is -118.4 °C (-181.1 °F) (HSDB).
How should Bromoethane be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Bromoethane the storage statement P403. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Light sensitive. Refrigerate before opening. Over time, pressure may increase causing containers to burst. Handle and open container with care. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Bromoethane
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