Substance profile
Nitroethane
Nitroethane is a colorless liquid with a moderate to strong disagreeable odor.
01 · Identification
What Nitroethane is
Nitroethane is a colorless liquid with a moderate to strong disagreeable odor. Its molecular formula is C2H5NO2 and its molecular weight is 75.07 g/mol. It boils at 114 °C, melts at -89.4 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · Identifiers
Nitroethane identifiers and molecular data
Nitroethane CAS number and EC number
Nitroethane molecular formula and molecular weight
03 · GHS classification
Nitroethane hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Nitroethane pictograms and signal word
Nitroethane hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 3 | H226 | GHS02 |
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H332 | GHS07 |
Nitroethane hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Nitroethane. 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 Nitroethane
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 Nitroethane 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
Nitroethane precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 12 precautionary statements to Nitroethane. 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
Nitroethane 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 | нитроетан |
| Spanish español | Nitroetano |
| Czech čeština | nitroethan |
| Danish dansk | nitroethan |
| German Deutsch | Nitroethan |
| Estonian eesti | nitroetaan |
| Greek ελληνικά | νιτροαιθάνιο |
| English English | nitroethane |
| French français | nitroéthane |
| Croatian hrvatski | nitroetan |
| Italian italiano | nitroetano |
| Latvian latviešu | nitroetāns |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | nitroetanas |
| Hungarian magyar | nitroetán |
| Maltese Malti | nitroetan |
| Dutch Nederlands | nitroëthaan |
| Polish polski | nitroetan |
| Portuguese português | nitroetano |
| Romanian română | nitroetan |
| Slovak slovenčina | nitroetán |
| Slovenian slovenščina | nitroetan |
| Finnish suomi | nitroetaani |
| Swedish svenska | nitroetan |
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
Nitroethane GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Nitroethane, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Warning
Nitroethane
- Flammable liquid and vapour.
- Harmful if inhaled.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- 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.
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF INHALED:
- 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 Nitroethane in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Nitroethane health hazards and exposure limits
Nitroethane hazard summary
Experimental animals tolerate hours or days of exposures at 500 ppm, but many die at concentrations of 1000 ppm. Pathological examination shows liver damage after lethal exposures. Methemoglobinemia was no greater in animals that inhaled nitroethane than in those exposed only to room air. [ACGIH] Tear drawing. An eye and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Nitroethane occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 100.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 100 ppm (310 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 100 ppm (310 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 100 ppm (310 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 100 ppm (310 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 1000 ppm (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 1000.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 1000 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
Nitroethane 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.
Nitroethane boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 114.1 °C (237.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 113.89 °C (237 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 115 °C (239 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Nitroethane melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -89.42 °C (-129 °F) | HSDB | |
| -90 °C (-130 °F) | NIOSH |
Nitroethane density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.0485 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.0448 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Nitroethane solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible in methanol, ethanol, ethyl ether; soluble in chloroform and aqueous solutions of alkalies | HSDB | |
| In water, 4.8X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Nitroethane vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 20.8 mmHg | at 25 °C, Extrapolated | HSDB |
| 21 mmHg | at 25 °C | NIOSH |
Nitroethane flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 27.78 °C (82 °F) | HSDB | |
| 31 °C (87.8 °F) | HSDB |
Nitroethane autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 414.44 °C (778 °F) | HSDB | |
| 410 °C (770 °F) | ICSC |
Nitroethane lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 3.4 % by volume | HSDB |
Nitroethane vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 2.58 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.6 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Nitroethane odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 163 ppm | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 2.1 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor Threshold High: 200.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Nitroethane critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 388 °C (730.4 °F) | calc | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Nitroethane 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.
Nitroethane fire potential
Sudden absorption of the anhydous liquid or gas on activated carbon or Hopcalite may result in flames.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Solubility
Solubility of water in nitroethane 0.9% (by wt); specific heat: 138.5 J/(mol-C) at 25 °C; heat of formation: -141.8 kJ/mol at 25 °C; dielectric constant 28.06 at 30 °C
Source: HSDB
10 · Handling and storage
Nitroethane storage and handling
Nitroethane safe storage
Fireproof. Well closed. Separated from : see Chemical Dangers.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Nitroethane storage conditions
Storage Recommendations: Detached storage preferred. Separate from other flammables and oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Nitroethane incompatible materials
Amines; strong acids, alkalis & oxidizers; hydrocarbons; combustibles; metal oxides.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Nitroethane reactivity
The nitroparaffins, nitromethane, nitropropane, etc. form salts with inorganic bases such as calcium hydroxide. The dry salts are explosive [Chem. Eng. News 30:2344. 1952]. Nitroethane and other nitro compounds are mild oxidizers and should not be heated with easily oxidizable hydrocarbons under confinement [Chem. Eng. News 30:2344. 1940].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Nitroethane in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Nitroethane 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.
Nitroethane under UN 2842 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NITROETHANE | 3 | F1 | III | |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitroethane | 3 | III | |
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
Nitroethane — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Nitroethane?
The CAS number of Nitroethane is 79-24-3. Its EC number is 201-188-9.
What is the chemical formula of Nitroethane?
The molecular formula of Nitroethane is C2H5NO2 and its molecular weight is 75.07 g/mol.
What does a Nitroethane label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Nitroethane carries the pictograms Flame and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Warning.
Is Nitroethane flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Nitroethane H226 — flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is 27.78 °C (82 °F) (HSDB).
Is Nitroethane a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Nitroethane. 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 Nitroethane?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Nitroethane is 100.0 [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 Nitroethane?
The boiling point reported for Nitroethane is 114.1 °C (237.4 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Nitroethane?
The melting point reported for Nitroethane is -89.42 °C (-129 °F) (HSDB).
How should Nitroethane be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Nitroethane the storage statement P403. Storage Recommendations: Detached storage preferred. Separate from other flammables and oxidizing materials. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Nitroethane
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