Substance profile
Methyl vinyl ether
Methyl vinyl ether is colorless, compressed gas or colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant odor.
01 · Identification
What Methyl vinyl ether is
Methyl vinyl ether is colorless, compressed gas or colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant odor. Its molecular formula is C3H6O and its molecular weight is 58.08 g/mol. It boils at 6 °C, melts at -122 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th degree.
02 · Identifiers
Methyl vinyl ether identifiers and molecular data
Methyl vinyl ether CAS number and EC number
Methyl vinyl ether molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Methyl vinyl ether hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Methyl vinyl ether pictograms and signal word
Methyl vinyl ether hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable gases GHS chapter 2.2 | Category 1A | H220 | GHS02 |
Methyl vinyl ether hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Methyl vinyl 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 Methyl vinyl 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 Methyl vinyl 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
Methyl vinyl ether precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 3 precautionary statements to Methyl vinyl 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
Methyl vinyl 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 | винилметилов етер |
| Spanish español | Éter de metilo y vinilo |
| Czech čeština | methyl(vinyl)ether |
| Danish dansk | methylvinylether |
| German Deutsch | Methylvinylether |
| Estonian eesti | metüülvinüüleeter |
| Greek ελληνικά | μεθυλοβινυλαιθέρας |
| English English | methyl vinyl ether |
| French français | méthyl vinyl éther |
| Croatian hrvatski | metil-vinil-eter |
| Italian italiano | metil-vinil-etere |
| Latvian latviešu | metilvinilēteris |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | metilvinileteris |
| Hungarian magyar | metil-vinil-éter |
| Maltese Malti | eter tal-vinil tal-metil |
| Dutch Nederlands | methylvinylether |
| Polish polski | eter metylowo-winylowy metoksyeten |
| Portuguese português | éter metílico e vinílico |
| Romanian română | metil-vinil-eter |
| Slovak slovenčina | metyl(vinyl)éter |
| Slovenian slovenščina | metil vinil eter |
| Finnish suomi | metyylivinyylieetteri |
| Swedish svenska | metylvinyleter |
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
Methyl vinyl ether GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Methyl vinyl ether, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Methyl vinyl 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 Methyl vinyl ether in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Methyl vinyl ether health hazards and exposure limits
Methyl vinyl ether hazard summary
Inhalation can cause CNS depression. The liquid can cause frostbite. [CHRIS] Vinyl methyl ether, stabilized (UN1087) has warning of explosive polymerization; [ERG 2016] See Butyl vinyl ether.
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
08 · Physical and chemical properties
Methyl vinyl 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.
Methyl vinyl ether boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 6 °C (42.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Methyl vinyl ether melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -122 °C (-187.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -122.22 °C (-188 °F) | CAMEO |
Methyl vinyl ether density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.7725 g/cm³ | at 0 °C | HSDB |
| 0.777 g/cm³ | at 0 °C | CAMEO |
Methyl vinyl ether solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in ethanol, ether, acetone, benzene | HSDB | ||
| In water, 0.97 wt% /15,000 mg/L/ at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Methyl vinyl ether vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 1316 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 1316 mmHg | Haz-Map |
Methyl vinyl ether flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | -56.11 °C (-69 °F) | CAMEO |
Methyl vinyl ether autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 287.22 °C (549 °F) | HSDB |
Methyl vinyl ether lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2.6 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. | HSDB |
Methyl vinyl ether upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 39 % by volume | HSDB |
Methyl vinyl ether vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Methyl vinyl 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.
Methyl vinyl ether fire potential
A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Methyl vinyl ether storage and handling
Methyl vinyl ether peroxide formation
D*: Other compounds that may form peroxides
Source: Lab and Research Safety, University of Minnesota
Methyl vinyl ether incompatible materials
Can react vigorously with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Methyl vinyl ether reactivity
VINYL METHYL ETHER reacts vigorously with oxidizing materials. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat, flame or strong oxidizing agents. Reacts, possibly explosively with halogens (bromine, chlorine) or hydrogen halides (hydrogen bromide, hydrogen chloride) [Baker, 1980, p. 487]. On contact with dilute acids or even mildly acidic solids (calcium chloride, ceramics) undergoes rapid, exothermic homopolymerization, which cannot be prevented by antioxidants. Must be stored in the presence of base [MVE Brochure, Billingham, ICI, 1962].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Methyl vinyl ether in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Questions
Methyl vinyl ether — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Methyl vinyl ether?
The CAS number of Methyl vinyl ether is 107-25-5. Its EC number is 203-475-4.
What is the chemical formula of Methyl vinyl ether?
The molecular formula of Methyl vinyl ether is C3H6O and its molecular weight is 58.08 g/mol.
What does a Methyl vinyl ether label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Methyl vinyl ether carries the pictograms Flame and Gas cylinder and the signal word is Danger.
Is Methyl vinyl ether flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Methyl vinyl ether H220 — extremely flammable gas. The flash point reported for it is -56.11 °C (-69 °F) (CAMEO).
Is Methyl vinyl ether a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Methyl vinyl 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 Methyl vinyl ether?
The boiling point reported for Methyl vinyl ether is 6 °C (42.8 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Methyl vinyl ether?
The melting point reported for Methyl vinyl ether is -122 °C (-187.6 °F) (HSDB).
How should Methyl vinyl ether be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Methyl vinyl ether the storage statement P403.
Nearby
Substances next to Methyl vinyl ether
Keep going: substances starting with M, or search the whole database by name, CAS number, pictogram or signal word.