Substance profile
Dimethyl Ether
Dimethyl Ether is a colorless gas @ usual temp, but easily condensible with a slight ethereal odor.
01 · Identification
What Dimethyl Ether is
Dimethyl Ether is a colorless gas @ usual temp, but easily condensible with a slight ethereal odor. It boils at -24.8 °C, melts at -141 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th degree.
02 · Identifiers
Dimethyl Ether identifiers and molecular data
Dimethyl Ether CAS number and EC number
Dimethyl Ether molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Dimethyl Ether hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Dimethyl Ether pictograms and signal word
Dimethyl Ether hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable gases GHS chapter 2.2 | Category 1A | H220 | GHS02 |
Dimethyl Ether hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Dimethyl 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 Dimethyl Ether
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 Dimethyl Ether 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
Dimethyl Ether precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 3 precautionary statements to Dimethyl 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.
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
Dimethyl 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 | диметилов етер |
| Spanish español | Éter dimetílico |
| Czech čeština | dimethylether |
| Danish dansk | dimethylether |
| German Deutsch | Dimethylether |
| Estonian eesti | dimetüüleeter |
| Greek ελληνικά | διμεθυλαιθέρας |
| English English | dimethyl ether |
| French français | diméthyl éther |
| Croatian hrvatski | dimetil-eter |
| Italian italiano | dimetiletere |
| Latvian latviešu | dimetilēteris |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | dimetileteris |
| Hungarian magyar | dimetil-éter |
| Maltese Malti | eter tad-dimetil |
| Dutch Nederlands | dimethylether |
| Polish polski | eter dimetylowy metoksymetantlenek metylu |
| Portuguese português | éter dimetílico |
| Romanian română | dimetil eter |
| Slovak slovenčina | dimetyléter |
| Slovenian slovenščina | dimetil eter |
| Finnish suomi | dimetyylieetteri |
| Swedish svenska | dimetyleter |
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
Dimethyl Ether GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Dimethyl Ether, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Dimethyl Ether
- Extremely flammable gas.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Dimethyl Ether in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Dimethyl Ether health hazards and exposure limits
Dimethyl Ether hazard summary
In animal studies at lethal concentrations, dimethyl ether acts as a general anesthetic. [ChemIDplus] Liquid will cause frostbite. [CHRIS] Dimethyl 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] Caused slight intoxication at 50,000 ppm, some incoordination at 82,000 ppm, an unconsciousness at 200,000 ppm (after 17 minutes) in human volunteers; [AIHA]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Dimethyl Ether carcinogenicity classification
Cancer Classification: Group D Not Classifiable as to Human Carcinogenicity
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.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Dimethyl 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.
Dimethyl Ether boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | -24.82 °C (-12.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -22.22 °C (-8 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| -23.6 °C (-10.5 °F) | ICSC |
Dimethyl Ether melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -141.5 °C (-222.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| -138.5 °C (-217.3 °F) | CAMEO |
Dimethyl Ether density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.0019 g/cm³ | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 0.61 g/cm³ | ICSC | ||
| 0.0019 g/cm³ | DOE PAC |
Dimethyl Ether solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | 1 vol water takes up 37 vol gas | HSDB | |
| Sol in ether, acetone, chloroform; ethyl alcohol | HSDB | ||
| SOL IN ORG SOLVENTS EXCEPT FOR POLYALCOHOLS | HSDB |
Dimethyl Ether vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 2.128 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 4450 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Dimethyl Ether flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -41.11 °C (-42 °F) | HSDB | |
| -3.89 °C (25 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Flammable gas | ICSC |
Dimethyl Ether autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 350 °C (662 °F) | HSDB |
Dimethyl Ether lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 3.4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 2 % by volume | CAMEO |
Dimethyl Ether upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 27 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 50 % by volume | CAMEO |
Dimethyl Ether vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 1.6 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.617 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
Dimethyl Ether critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 127 °C (260.6 °F) | HSDB |
Dimethyl Ether corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | NONCORROSIVE | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Dimethyl 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.
Dimethyl Ether fire potential
DANGEROUS; WHEN HEATED OR EXPOSED TO FLAME OR OXIDIZERS.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Dimethyl Ether storage and handling
Dimethyl Ether peroxide formation
D*: Other compounds that may form peroxides
Source: Lab and Research Safety, University of Minnesota
Dimethyl Ether safe storage
Fireproof. Cool.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Dimethyl Ether storage conditions
Seperate from oxidizing materials. Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Avoid sunlight.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Dimethyl Ether incompatible materials
Forms explosive mixture with air. Forms unstable peroxides in containers that been opened or remain in storage for more than 6 months. Peroxides can be detonated by friction, impact or heating. Violent reaction with strong oxidizers, aluminum hydride, lithium aluminum hydride. Keep away from heat, air, sunlight.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Dimethyl Ether reactivity
DIMETHYL ETHER is a colorless, highly flammable gas (b. p. -24 °C), slightly toxic. Very dangerous fire and explosion hazard when exposed to flame, sparks, heat or strong oxidizers. Violent reaction with aluminum hydride, lithium aluminum hydride. Upon standing and exposure to air (oxygen) tendency to form explosive peroxides. When ethers containing peroxides are heated (distilled) they can detonate [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 854].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Dimethyl Ether in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Dimethyl 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.
Dimethyl Ether under UN 1033 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIMETHYL ETHER | 2 | 2F | — | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 2 is “Gases” (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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimethyl ether | 2.1 | — | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 2.1 is “Flammable gas” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Dimethyl Ether — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Dimethyl Ether?
The CAS number of Dimethyl Ether is 115-10-6. Its EC number is 204-065-8.
What does a Dimethyl Ether label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Dimethyl Ether carries the pictograms Flame and Gas cylinder and the signal word is Danger.
Is Dimethyl Ether flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Dimethyl Ether H220 — extremely flammable gas. The flash point reported for it is -41.11 °C (-42 °F) (HSDB).
Is Dimethyl Ether a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Dimethyl 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 boiling point of Dimethyl Ether?
The boiling point reported for Dimethyl Ether is -24.82 °C (-12.7 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Dimethyl Ether?
The melting point reported for Dimethyl Ether is -141.5 °C (-222.7 °F) (HSDB).
How should Dimethyl Ether be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Dimethyl Ether the storage statement P403. Seperate from oxidizing materials. Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Avoid sunlight. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Dimethyl Ether
Keep going: substances starting with D, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.