Substance profile
Diethyl ether
Diethyl ether is colorless, volatile, mobile liquid with a sweetish, pungent odor.
01 · Identification
What Diethyl ether is
Diethyl ether is colorless, volatile, mobile liquid with a sweetish, pungent odor. Its molecular formula is C4H10O and its molecular weight is 74.12 g/mol. It boils at 34.6 °C, melts at -116 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th degree.
02 · Identifiers
Diethyl ether identifiers and molecular data
Diethyl ether CAS number and EC number
Diethyl ether molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Diethyl ether
- ether
- ethyl ether
- Aether
- Anaesthetic Ether
- Anesthesia Ether
- Anesthetic Ether
- Diethyl Ether (Ethyl Ether)
- Diethyl Oxide
- Ethane, 1,1'-Oxybis-
- Ethoxyethane
- Ethyl Oxide
- 3-Oxapentane
- 1,1'-Oxybisethane
- Pronarcol
03 · GHS classification
Diethyl ether hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Diethyl ether pictograms and signal word
Diethyl ether hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 1 | H224 | GHS02 |
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 narcotic | H336 | GHS07 |
Diethyl ether hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H224 | Extremely flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
Diethyl ether supplemental EU statements (EUH)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| EUH019 | May form explosive peroxides. |
| EUH066 | Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Diethyl ether. 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 Diethyl ether
Our own Diethyl ether safety data sheet walks through all sixteen sections of the published data. What it is not is the document an inspector asks for: an SDS is issued for a product by its supplier, so the sheet covering the grade actually standing in your store exists only in that supplier’s version. Collecting those and keeping them current as suppliers revise them is a separate job.
04 · Precautionary statements
Diethyl ether precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 9 precautionary statements to Diethyl ether. 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
Diethyl ether 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 | диетилов етер етер |
| Spanish español | Éter dietílico éter |
| Czech čeština | diethylether ether |
| Danish dansk | diethylether ether |
| German Deutsch | Diethylether Ether |
| Estonian eesti | dietüüleeter eeter |
| Greek ελληνικά | διαιθυλαιθέρας αιθέρας |
| English English | diethyl ether ether |
| French français | diéthyl éther éther |
| Croatian hrvatski | dietil-eter eter |
| Italian italiano | dietiletere etere |
| Latvian latviešu | dietilēteris ēteris |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | dietileteris eteris |
| Hungarian magyar | dietil-éter éter |
| Maltese Malti | eter tad-dietil eter |
| Dutch Nederlands | diëthylether ether |
| Polish polski | eter dietylowy eter |
| Portuguese português | éter dietílico éter |
| Romanian română | dietil eter eter |
| Slovak slovenčina | dietyléter éter |
| Slovenian slovenščina | dietil eter eter |
| Finnish suomi | dietyylieetteri eetteri |
| Swedish svenska | dietyleter eter |
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
Diethyl ether GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Diethyl ether, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Diethyl ether
- Extremely flammable liquid and vapour.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- May form explosive peroxides.
- Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
- 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 eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- IF SWALLOWED:
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- 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 Diethyl ether in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Diethyl ether health hazards and exposure limits
Diethyl ether hazard summary
Abnormal liver function tests has been reported in patients anesthetized with ethyl ether. Abuse of ether by workers, ether jags, has been reported. [ACGIH] Ethyl ether is in the list of Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Reference #1] An eye and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Diethyl ether occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 400.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 400 ppm (1200 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 400 ppm (1200 mg/m3) See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 1900 ppm ; Based on 10% of the lower explosive limit. (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 1900.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 1900 ppm | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
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
Diethyl ether 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.
Diethyl ether boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 34.6 °C (94.3 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 34.44 °C (94 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 34.61 °C (94.3 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Diethyl ether melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -116.3 °C (-177.3 °F) | stable crystals | HSDB |
| -116.11 °C (-177 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -116.28 °C (-177.3 °F) | CAMEO |
Diethyl ether density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.71 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.7134 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.714 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Diethyl ether solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with lower aliphatic alcohols, benzene, chloroform, petroleum ether, fat solvents, many oils; sol in concn hydrochloric acid | HSDB | |
| Sol in acetone; very sol in ethanol | HSDB | ||
| Sol in solvent naphtha, benzene, oils | HSDB |
Diethyl ether vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 440 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 442 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 538 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Diethyl ether flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -45 °C (-49 °F) | CLOSED CUP | HSDB |
| -45 °C (-49 °F) | NIOSH |
Diethyl ether autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 180 °C (356 °F) | HSDB | |
| 170 °C (338 °F) | range, midpoint shown | ICSC |
Diethyl ether lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.9 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 36.5 % by volume | HSDB |
Diethyl ether upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 36 % by volume | HSDB |
Diethyl ether vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2.55 (air = 1) | Air = 1.0 | HSDB |
| 2.6 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
Diethyl ether odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 0.83 ppm (purity not given) | HSDB | |
| Odor detection: in water= 5.83 ppm; in air= 5.83 mg/l (gas); in air: 7.00x10(-1) ppm | Purities not specified | HSDB | |
| 0.99 mg/cu m (odor low) 3.0 mg/cu m (odor high) | HSDB |
Diethyl ether critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 192.7 °C (378.9 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Diethyl ether 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.
Diethyl ether fire potential
When shaken under absolutely dry conditions ether can generate enough static electricity to start a fire.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Diethyl ether storage and handling
Diethyl ether reactive group
CAMEO Chemicals places Diethyl ether in the reactive group Ethers. Compatibility with other chemicals is worked out from the group, not from the individual substance — which is why two substances you have never seen react can still be flagged as a pair that must be separated.
A reactive group is a CAMEO Chemicals (US NOAA) grouping, not a GHS hazard class: it has no code, no category and no legal force. It is what the storage compatibility matrix on this site computes from.
Diethyl ether peroxide formation
B: Compounds that form peroxides on concentration (distillation/evaporation)
Source: Lab and Research Safety, University of Minnesota
Diethyl ether safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from oxidants and other incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Cool. Keep in the dark. Store only if stabilized. Ventilation along the floor.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Diethyl ether storage conditions
Separate from oxidizing materials. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Avoid sunlight.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Diethyl ether incompatible materials
Boron triazide, bromine trifluoride, bromine pentafluoride, bromine, iodine heptafluoride, silver perchlorate, fluorine nitrate, permanganic acid, nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, peroxodisulfuric acid, iodine(VII) oxide, peat soils, thiotriazyl perchlorate, sulfonyl chloride, sulfur, uranyl nitrate, and wood pulp extracts.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Diethyl ether reactivity
Occasional explosions have occurred when aluminum hydride was stored in ether. The explosions have been blamed on the presence of carbon dioxide impurity in the ether, [J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 70:877(1948)]. Diethyl ether and chromium trioxide react violently at room temperature. Solid acetyl peroxide in contact with ether or any volatile solvent may explode violently. A 5-gram portion in ether detonated while being carried, [Chem. Eng. News 27:175(1949)]. Nitrosyl perchlorate ignites and explodes with diethyl ether. A mixture of ether and ozone forms aldehyde and acetic acid and a heavy liquid, ethyl peroxide, an explosive, [Mellor 1:911(1946-1947)].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Diethyl ether in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Diethyl ether 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.
Diethyl ether under UN 1155 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIETHYL ETHER (ETHYL ETHER) | 3 | F1 | I | |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diethyl ether or Ethyl ether | 3 | I | |
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
Diethyl ether — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Diethyl ether?
The CAS number of Diethyl ether is 60-29-7. Its EC number is 200-467-2.
What is the chemical formula of Diethyl ether?
The molecular formula of Diethyl ether is C4H10O and its molecular weight is 74.12 g/mol.
What does a Diethyl ether label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Diethyl ether carries the pictograms Flame and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is Diethyl ether flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Diethyl ether H224 — extremely flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is -45 °C (-49 °F), CLOSED CUP (HSDB).
Is Diethyl ether a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Diethyl ether. 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 Diethyl ether?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Diethyl ether is 400.0 [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 Diethyl ether?
The boiling point reported for Diethyl ether is 34.6 °C (94.3 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Diethyl ether?
The melting point reported for Diethyl ether is -116.3 °C (-177.3 °F), stable crystals (HSDB).
How should Diethyl ether be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Diethyl ether the storage statement P403. Separate from oxidizing materials. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Avoid sunlight. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Diethyl ether
Keep going: substances starting with D, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.
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