Substance profile
Tetraethyl silicate
Tetraethyl silicate is a colorless liquid with a sharp, ester-like odor.
01 · Identification
What Tetraethyl silicate is
Tetraethyl silicate is a colorless liquid with a sharp, ester-like odor. Its molecular formula is C8H20O4Si and its molecular weight is 208.33 g/mol. It boils at 169 °C, melts at -82.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
02 · Identifiers
Tetraethyl silicate identifiers and molecular data
Tetraethyl silicate CAS number and EC number
Tetraethyl silicate molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for Tetraethyl silicate
- ethyl silicate
03 · GHS classification
Tetraethyl silicate hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
Tetraethyl silicate pictograms and signal word
Tetraethyl silicate hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 3 | H226 | GHS02 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H332 | GHS07 |
| Serious eye damage/eye irritation GHS chapter 3.3 | Category 2A | H319 | GHS07 |
| Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure GHS chapter 3.8 | Category 3 | H335 | GHS07 |
Tetraethyl silicate hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to Tetraethyl silicate. 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 Tetraethyl silicate
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 Tetraethyl silicate 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
Tetraethyl silicate precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 15 precautionary statements to Tetraethyl silicate. 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
Tetraethyl silicate 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 | тетраетилов силикат етилов силикат |
| Spanish español | Silicato de tetraetilo silicato de etilo |
| Czech čeština | tetraethoxysilan |
| Danish dansk | tetraethylsilicat ethylsilicat |
| German Deutsch | Tetraethylsilicat EthylsilicatTetraethoxysilan |
| Estonian eesti | tetraetüülsilikaat etüülsilikaat |
| Greek ελληνικά | πυριτικός τετρααιθυλεστέρας πυριτικό αιθύλιo |
| English English | tetraethyl silicate ethyl silicate |
| French français | silicate de tétraéthyle silicate d'éthyle |
| Croatian hrvatski | tetraetil-silikat etil-silikat |
| Italian italiano | silicato di tetraetile etile silicato |
| Latvian latviešu | tetraetilsilikāts etilsilikāts |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | tetraetilsilikatas etilsilikatas |
| Hungarian magyar | tetraetil-szilikát etil-szilikát |
| Maltese Malti | silikat tat-tetraetil silikat tal-etil |
| Dutch Nederlands | tetraëthylsilicaat ethylsilicaat |
| Polish polski | tetraetoksysilan ortokrzemian tetraetylukrzemian etylu |
| Portuguese português | silicato de tetraetilo silicato de etilo |
| Romanian română | silicat de tetraetil silicat de etil |
| Slovak slovenčina | tetraetyl-silikát etyl-silikát |
| Slovenian slovenščina | tetraetil ortosilikat etil silikat |
| Finnish suomi | tetraetyylisilikaatti etyylisilikaatti |
| Swedish svenska | tetraetylsilikat etylsilikat |
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
Tetraethyl silicate GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for Tetraethyl silicate, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Warning
Tetraethyl silicate
- Flammable liquid and vapour.
- Harmful if inhaled.
- May cause respiratory irritation.
- Causes serious eye irritation.
- 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.
- Wash … thoroughly after handling.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF INHALED:
- IF IN EYES:
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Get medical advice/attention.
- If eye irritation persists:
- Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open Tetraethyl silicate in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
Tetraethyl silicate health hazards and exposure limits
Tetraethyl silicate hazard summary
Rats that survived concentrations of 400 ppm for 7 hours/day for 30 days show liver, kidney, and lung damage. [ACGIH] Causes eye irritation at 250 ppm and tearing at 1,200 ppm; [CSH, p. 402] A skin and respiratory tract irritant; Liquid defats the skin and vapor may depress consciousness; [ICSC] In high-dose animal experiments, it acts as a general anesthetic; [ChemIDplus] See Methyl silicate.
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
Tetraethyl silicate occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 100.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 100 ppm (850 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 100 ppm (850 mg/m3) See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 10 ppm (85 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 10 ppm (85 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 700 ppm (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 700.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 700 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
Tetraethyl silicate 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.
Tetraethyl silicate boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 168.8 °C (335.8 °F) | HSDB | |
| 168.89 °C (336 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 168.89 °C (336 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
Tetraethyl silicate melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -82.5 °C (-116.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| -82.78 °C (-117 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -85.5 °C (-121.9 °F) | CAMEO |
Tetraethyl silicate density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.93 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.933 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 7.8 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB |
Tetraethyl silicate solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Soluble in ether | HSDB | |
| Slightly soluble in benzene | HSDB | ||
| Decomposes in water | decomposes | HSDB |
Tetraethyl silicate vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 1 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 1 mmHg | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.88 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
Tetraethyl silicate flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 51.67 °C (125 °F) | HSDB | |
| 37.22 °C (99 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 37 °C (98.6 °F) | HSDB |
Tetraethyl silicate lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.3 % by volume | HSDB |
Tetraethyl silicate upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 23 % by volume | HSDB |
Tetraethyl silicate vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 7.22 (air = 1) | HSDB |
Tetraethyl silicate odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | 85 ppm | HSDB | |
| Water: decomposes in water; air: 17 uL/L; odor safety class D; D = 10-50% of distracted persons can detect TLV concn in the air. | decomposes | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 3.6 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
Tetraethyl silicate 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.
Tetraethyl silicate fire potential
Flammable liquid when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidizing materials.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
Tetraethyl silicate storage and handling
Tetraethyl silicate safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from acids and oxidants. Cool. Dry. Keep in a well-ventilated room.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Tetraethyl silicate storage conditions
Ethyl silicate must be stored to avoid contact with strong oxidizers (such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine) since violent reactions occur. Before entering confined space where this chemical may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from water. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where ethyl silicate is handled, used, or stored. Metal containers involving the transfer of five gallons or more of ethyl silicate 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 ethyl silicate.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Tetraethyl silicate incompatible materials
Strong oxidizers, water [Note: Reacts with water to form a silicone adhesive (a milky-white mass)].
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Tetraethyl silicate reactivity
ETHYL SILICATE reacts exothermically with acids Strong oxidizing acids may cause a reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. May generate with caustic solutions. May generate flammable hydrogen with alkali metals and hydrides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Tetraethyl silicate in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
Tetraethyl silicate 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.
Tetraethyl silicate under UN 1292 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TETRAETHYL SILICATE | 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tetraethyl silicate | 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
Tetraethyl silicate — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of Tetraethyl silicate?
The CAS number of Tetraethyl silicate is 78-10-4. Its EC number is 201-083-8.
What is the chemical formula of Tetraethyl silicate?
The molecular formula of Tetraethyl silicate is C8H20O4Si and its molecular weight is 208.33 g/mol.
What does a Tetraethyl silicate label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for Tetraethyl silicate carries the pictograms Flame and Exclamation mark and the signal word is Warning.
Is Tetraethyl silicate flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns Tetraethyl silicate H226 — flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is 51.67 °C (125 °F) (HSDB).
Is Tetraethyl silicate a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for Tetraethyl silicate. 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 Tetraethyl silicate?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for Tetraethyl silicate 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 Tetraethyl silicate?
The boiling point reported for Tetraethyl silicate is 168.8 °C (335.8 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of Tetraethyl silicate?
The melting point reported for Tetraethyl silicate is -82.5 °C (-116.5 °F) (HSDB).
How should Tetraethyl silicate be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns Tetraethyl silicate the storage statement P403. Ethyl silicate must be stored to avoid contact with strong oxidizers (such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine) since violent reactions occur. Before entering confined space where this chemical may be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from water. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where ethyl silicate is handled, used, or stored. Metal containers involving the transfer of five gallons or more of ethyl silicate 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 ethyl silicate. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to Tetraethyl silicate
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