Substance profile
Pentan-3-one
Pentan-3-one is colorless, mobile liquid with an acetone odor.
01 · Identification
What Pentan-3-one is
Pentan-3-one is colorless, mobile liquid with an acetone odor. Its molecular formula is C5H10O and its molecular weight is 86.13 g/mol. It boils at 102 °C, melts at -39 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · Identifiers
Pentan-3-one identifiers and molecular data
Pentan-3-one CAS number and EC number
Pentan-3-one molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Pentan-3-one
- diethyl ketone
03 · GHS classification
Pentan-3-one hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Pentan-3-one pictograms and signal word
Pentan-3-one hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 2 | H225 | GHS02 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 | H335 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 narcotic | H336 | GHS07 |
Pentan-3-one hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H336 | May cause drowsiness or dizziness. |
Pentan-3-one supplemental EU statements (EUH)
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| EUH066 | Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Pentan-3-one. 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 Pentan-3-one
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 Pentan-3-one 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
Pentan-3-one precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 5 precautionary statements to Pentan-3-one. 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
Pentan-3-one 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 | пентан-3-он диетилкетон |
| Spanish español | Pentan-3-ona dietilcetona |
| Czech čeština | pentan-3-on diethylketon |
| Danish dansk | pentan-3-on diethylketon |
| German Deutsch | 3-Pentanon Diethylketon |
| Estonian eesti | pentaan-3-oon dietüülketoon |
| Greek ελληνικά | πενταν-3-όνη διαιθυλοκετόνη |
| English English | pentan-3-one diethyl ketone |
| French français | pentan-3-one diéthylcétone |
| Croatian hrvatski | pentan-3-on dietil-keton |
| Italian italiano | 3-pentanone dietilchetone |
| Latvian latviešu | pentān-3-ons dietilketons |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | pentan-3-onas dietilketonas |
| Hungarian magyar | pentán-3-on dietil-keton |
| Maltese Malti | pentan-3-on keton tad-dietil |
| Dutch Nederlands | pentaan-3-on diëthylketon |
| Polish polski | pentan-3-on keton dietylowydimetyloaceton |
| Portuguese português | pentan-3-ona dietilcetona |
| Romanian română | pentan-3-onă dietil-cetonă |
| Slovak slovenčina | pentan-3-ón dietylketón |
| Slovenian slovenščina | pentan-3-on dietil keton |
| Finnish suomi | pentan-3-oni dietyyliketoni |
| Swedish svenska | pentan-3-on dietylketon |
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
Pentan-3-one GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Pentan-3-one, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
Pentan-3-one
- Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
- May cause respiratory irritation.
- May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- 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.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Pentan-3-one in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Pentan-3-one health hazards and exposure limits
Pentan-3-one hazard summary
A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; [ICSC]; Can cause headache, dizziness, weakness, and loss of consciousness; [CAMEO]
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Pentan-3-one occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | none See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 200 ppm (705 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 200 ppm (705 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | N.D. | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
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
Pentan-3-one 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.
Pentan-3-one boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 101.7 °C (215.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 101.67 °C (215 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 102.22 °C (216 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Pentan-3-one melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -39 °C (-38.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -42.22 °C (-44 °F) | NIOSH |
Pentan-3-one density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.81 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.8098 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.8159 g/cm³ | at 19 °C | CAMEO |
Pentan-3-one solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with ethanol, ether; soluble in carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | |
| Solubility at 20 °C: 2.6 wt% water in 3-pentanone | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| In water, 47,000 mg/L at 20 °C; 38,000 mg/L at 100 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Pentan-3-one vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 25.85 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 37.7 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 35 mmHg | at 25 °C | NIOSH |
Pentan-3-one flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 13 °C (55.4 °F) | open cup | HSDB |
| 12.78 °C (55 °F) | NIOSH |
Pentan-3-one autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 450 °C (842 °F) | HSDB | |
| 452 °C (845.6 °F) | ICSC |
Pentan-3-one lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.6 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 1.6 % by volume | by volume | HSDB |
Pentan-3-one upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 6.4 % by volume | HSDB |
Pentan-3-one vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 3 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Pentan-3-one odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 0.85 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Odor Threshold High: 9.4 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 2.8 ppm) | Haz-Map |
Pentan-3-one critical temperature and pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical temperature and pressure | 288.31 °C (551 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Pentan-3-one 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.
Pentan-3-one fire potential
Dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame ...
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Pentan-3-one storage and handling
Pentan-3-one safe storage
Fireproof. Well closed. Separated from oxidants. Ventilation along the floor. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Pentan-3-one storage conditions
Diethyl ketone must be stored to avoid contact with oxidizing materials (such as peroxides, perchlorates, chlorates, permanganates, and nitrates) Since violent reactions may occur. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from sources of heat. Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where diethyl ketone is handled, used or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of diethyl ketone should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of diethyl ketone. Wherever this diethyl ketone is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical equipment and fittings.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Pentan-3-one incompatible materials
Violent reaction with oxidizers, causing fire and explosion hazard. Forms explosive mixture with air. Incompatible with strong acids, aliphatic amines. Attacks many plastics, rubber and coatings. May accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition of its vapors.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Pentan-3-one reactivity
DIETHYL KETONE is incompatible with the following: Strong oxidizers, alkalis, mineral acids, (hydrogen peroxide + nitric acid) (NIOSH, 2024).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Pentan-3-one in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Pentan-3-one 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.
Pentan-3-one under UN 1156 — 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 KETONE | 3 | F1 | II | |
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 ketone | 3 | II | |
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
Pentan-3-one — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Pentan-3-one?
The CAS number of Pentan-3-one is 96-22-0. Its EC number is 202-490-3.
What is the chemical formula of Pentan-3-one?
The molecular formula of Pentan-3-one is C5H10O and its molecular weight is 86.13 g/mol.
What does a Pentan-3-one label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Pentan-3-one carries the pictograms Flame and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Danger.
Is Pentan-3-one flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Pentan-3-one H225 — highly flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is 13 °C (55.4 °F), open cup (HSDB).
Is Pentan-3-one a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Pentan-3-one. 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 Pentan-3-one?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Pentan-3-one is none See Appendix G (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)). 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 Pentan-3-one?
The boiling point reported for Pentan-3-one is 101.7 °C (215.1 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Pentan-3-one?
The melting point reported for Pentan-3-one is -39 °C (-38.2 °F) (HSDB).
How should Pentan-3-one be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Pentan-3-one the storage statement P403. Diethyl ketone must be stored to avoid contact with oxidizing materials (such as peroxides, perchlorates, chlorates, permanganates, and nitrates) Since violent reactions may occur. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from sources of heat. Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where diethyl ketone is handled, used or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of diethyl ketone should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening and closing containers of diethyl ketone. Wherever this diethyl ketone is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical equipment and fittings. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Pentan-3-one
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