Substance profile
Ethyl chloroformate
Ethyl chloroformate is a water-white liquid with a sharp, like hydrochloric acid odor.
01 · Identification
What Ethyl chloroformate is
Ethyl chloroformate is a water-white liquid with a sharp, like hydrochloric acid odor. It boils at 95 °C, melts at -80.6 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
02 · Identifiers
Ethyl chloroformate identifiers and molecular data
Ethyl chloroformate CAS number and EC number
Ethyl chloroformate molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Ethyl chloroformate hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Ethyl chloroformate pictograms and signal word
Ethyl chloroformate 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 1 or 2 | H330 | GHS06 |
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 1A or 1B or 1C | H314 | GHS05 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
Ethyl chloroformate hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H330 | Fatal if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Ethyl chloroformate. 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 Ethyl chloroformate
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 Ethyl chloroformate 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
Ethyl chloroformate precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 15 precautionary statements to Ethyl chloroformate. 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
Ethyl chloroformate 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 | етилов хлороформат |
| Spanish español | Cloroformiato de etilo |
| Czech čeština | ethyl-chlorformiát |
| Danish dansk | ethylchlorformiat |
| German Deutsch | Ethylchlorformiat Chlorameisensäureethylester |
| Estonian eesti | etüülkloroformiaat |
| Greek ελληνικά | χλωρομυρμηκικός αιθυλεστέρας χλωρομυρμηκικό αιθύλιο |
| English English | ethyl chloroformate |
| French français | chloroformiate d'éthyle |
| Croatian hrvatski | etil-klorformijat |
| Italian italiano | cloroformiato di etile |
| Latvian latviešu | etilhlorformiāts |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | etilchlorformiatas |
| Hungarian magyar | etil-klórformiát |
| Maltese Malti | kloroformat tal-etil |
| Dutch Nederlands | ethylchloorformiaat |
| Polish polski | chloromrówczan etylu ester etylowy kwasu chloromrówkowego |
| Portuguese português | cloroformiato de etilo |
| Romanian română | cloroformiat de etil |
| Slovak slovenčina | etyl-chlórmetanoát |
| Slovenian slovenščina | etil kloroformat |
| Finnish suomi | etyyliklooriformiaatti |
| Swedish svenska | etylklorformiat |
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
Ethyl chloroformate GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Ethyl chloroformate, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Ethyl chloroformate
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
- Fatal if inhaled.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- 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:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- Do NOT induce vomiting.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Ethyl chloroformate in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Ethyl chloroformate health hazards and exposure limits
Ethyl chloroformate hazard summary
Corrosive to skin; Highly toxic; [Quick CPC] A corrosive substance that causes lacrimation and may cause lung edema after inhalation of high concentrations; [ICSC] A strong irritant to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; Capable of causing severe burns to the eyes and skin; [HSDB] Reacts with water; [MSDSonline] See CHLOROFORMATES.
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethyl chloroformate 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.
Ethyl chloroformate boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 95 °C (203 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 93.89 °C (201 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 95 °C (203 °F) | ICSC |
Ethyl chloroformate melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -80.6 °C (-113.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| -81.11 °C (-114 °F) | CAMEO |
Ethyl chloroformate density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.1 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.1403 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.135 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
Ethyl chloroformate solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | PRACTICALLY INSOL & GRADUALLY DECOMP IN WATER | HSDB | |
| MISCIBLE WITH ALC, BENZENE, CHLOROFORM, ETHER | HSDB | ||
| Solubility in water: reaction | ICSC |
Ethyl chloroformate vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 41.2534 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 22.4 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Ethyl chloroformate flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 16.11 °C (61 °F) | HSDB | |
| 16 °C (60.8 °F) | ICSC |
Ethyl chloroformate autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 500 °C (932 °F) | HSDB |
Ethyl chloroformate lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 3.2 % by volume | decomposes | ICSC |
Ethyl chloroformate upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 27.5 % by volume | decomposes | ICSC |
Ethyl chloroformate vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 3.7 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Ethyl chloroformate critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 235 °C (455 °F) | HSDB |
Ethyl chloroformate corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Ethyl chloroformate 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.
Ethyl chloroformate fire potential
DANGEROUS; WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT, FLAME, OXIDIZERS
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Ethyl chloroformate storage and handling
Ethyl chloroformate safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants, food and feedstuffs and incompatible materials. See Chemical Dangers. Cool. Dry. Well closed.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Ethyl chloroformate storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from acids, alkalies, amines, alcohols, oxidizing materials, & water. Normally kept refrigerated.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Ethyl chloroformate incompatible materials
... WILL REACT WITH WATER OR STEAM TO PRODUCE TOXIC AND CORROSIVE FUMES; CAN REACT VIGOROUSLY WITH OXIDIZING MATERIAL.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Ethyl chloroformate reactivity
ETHYL CHLOROFORMATE decomposes slowly in water to form ethanol, HCl, and CO2 Attacks many metals especially in humid atmosphere [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 476]. May react vigorously or explosively if mixed with diisopropyl ether or other ethers in the presence of trace amounts of metal salts [J. Haz. Mat., 1981, 4, 291].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethyl chloroformate in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Ethyl chloroformate 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.
Ethyl chloroformate under UN 1182 — 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 CHLOROFORMATE | 6.1 | TFC | I | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 6.1 is “Toxic substances” (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 chloroformate | 6.1 | I | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 6.1 is “Poisonous materials” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
Ethyl chloroformate — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Ethyl chloroformate?
The CAS number of Ethyl chloroformate is 541-41-3. Its EC number is 208-778-5.
What does a Ethyl chloroformate label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Ethyl chloroformate carries the pictograms Flame, Skull and crossbones and Corrosion and the signal word is Danger.
Is Ethyl chloroformate flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Ethyl chloroformate H225 — highly flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is 16.11 °C (61 °F) (HSDB).
Is Ethyl chloroformate a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Ethyl chloroformate. 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 Ethyl chloroformate?
The boiling point reported for Ethyl chloroformate is 95 °C (203 °F), at 760 mmHg (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Ethyl chloroformate?
The melting point reported for Ethyl chloroformate is -80.6 °C (-113.1 °F) (HSDB).
How should Ethyl chloroformate be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Ethyl chloroformate the storage statement P403. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from acids, alkalies, amines, alcohols, oxidizing materials, & water. Normally kept refrigerated. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Ethyl chloroformate
Keep going: substances starting with E, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.