Material Safety Data Sheet: 2-Ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol

Identification

Product Name: 2-Ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol
Chemical Formula: C6H14O2
Synonyms: 2-Methyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, MEPD
Manufacturer/Supplier: Chemical supply firms specializing in laboratory reagents and intermediates
CAS Number: 115-70-8
Recommended Use: Intermediate for synthesis, industrial manufacturing applications, research settings
Contact Information: Provided on product label or Safety Data Sheet from supplier

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous based on current data, but good laboratory hygiene strongly advised
Health Hazards: May cause mild skin and eye irritation, ingestion could lead to nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort, inhalation possible irritation of mucous membranes
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as hazardous to aquatic environments, avoid large releases into waterways
Signal Word: None required under GHS, caution is still recommended
Hazard Statements: May cause irritation on contact
Pictograms: No signal required according to common classifications

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: 2-Ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol
CAS Registry Number: 115-70-8
Purity: Typically above 98% for most commercial applications
Impurities: Small amounts of related glycols may be present but do not typically alter hazard profile

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, immediately seek medical attention if irritation persists
Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek medical attention if irritation develops
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, provide oxygen if breathing becomes difficult, consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting unless instructed by medical personnel, seek prompt medical attention for significant exposure
Acute Symptoms: Temporary discomfort including stinging, redness, or mild headache in some cases
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically, no specific antidotes are known

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry powder, foam, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Strong water jets may spread spill
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon oxides including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide may form during heating or burning
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Special Precautions: Prevent runoff into sewers or water sources, cool fire-exposed containers with water
Flammability: Low, but under certain heat conditions can ignite, always use care with nearby ignition sources

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Put on appropriate protective gear including gloves and safety goggles
Environmental Precautions: Prevent large amounts from entering waterways, use absorbents to clean up small spills
Methods for Cleaning Up: Soak up with inert material such as sand or vermiculite, sweep or shovel into a suitable container for disposal, ventilate area once cleaned
Disposal: Follow local and national regulations when disposing material from spill or cleanup

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use only with adequate ventilation, avoid contact with skin and eyes, do not breathe vapors or dust, keep away from food, beverages, and feed
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, keep tightly closed and in original container, protect from sunlight, moisture, and incompatible chemicals
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers, acids, and bases can react with the substance, segregate accordingly

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Use laboratory fume hood or well-ventilated area, keep eyewash stations and emergency showers accessible
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene recommended), safety glasses with side-shields or full face shield, lab coat or apron, properly fitted respiratory protection if ventilation is insufficient
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in work areas, launder contaminated clothing before reuse
Occupational Exposure Limits: Not established for this material, minimize exposure as a general practice

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Mild, somewhat sweet
Boiling Point: Around 210°C (410°F)
Melting Point: Approximately 49°C (120°F)
Flash Point: Above 120°C (closed cup); not easily ignited
Autoignition Temperature: Data suggest over 380°C
Solubility: Soluble in water, also mixes with many organic solvents
Vapor Pressure: Low at ambient temperature
Density: Around 0.960 g/cm³ at 20°C
Viscosity: Moderate for a diol
Partition Coefficient (log Pow): Low, less potential for bioaccumulation

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, direct sunlight, mixing with strong oxidizing agents or acids
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not polymerize under normal conditions
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon oxides can form under combustion
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers (e.g. peroxides, nitrates), acid chlorides, strong acids and bases

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low acute toxicity by oral, dermal, and inhalation routes in animal studies
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: May cause mild irritation to skin on prolonged or repeated exposure
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Eye contact can lead to temporary discomfort and inflammation
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: No known sensitizing effects reported in literature
Chronic Effects: No chronic health effects have been strongly linked with normal handling, always minimize unnecessary exposure
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, or OSHA as carcinogenic
Mutagenicity: No data showing mutagenic effects in available studies
Reproductive Toxicity: Animal data do not indicate reproductive hazards

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Material is considered low hazard based on biodegradation and toxicity studies, large spills can still impact local aquatic life
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in natural environments
Bioaccumulative Potential: Unlikely to bioaccumulate due to low log Pow and rapid biodegradation
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile in soil and water given solubility, do not allow uncontrolled release
Other Adverse Effects: Avoid uncontrolled release, always follow good chemical practice to protect the environment

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Do not discharge into drains or surface water, dispose of through approved chemical waste processor
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers, offer for recycling or disposal in line with national, state, and local regulations
Special Precautions: Contaminated packaging may require special handling, consult waste management professionals
Regulatory Compliance: Comply with all applicable chemical, environmental, and waste legislation

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated under current transport guidelines
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous for road, rail, sea, or air according to international agreements
Packing Group: None assigned
Environmental Hazards: Avoid spillage into environment during loading and unloading
Special Precautions: Keep containers tightly sealed and upright, protect from damage during movement; always transport following safety and legal requirements from supplier documents

Regulatory Information

EU Regulations (REACH): Registered, not listed as a substance of very high concern
U.S. Regulations (TSCA): Listed on TSCA inventory
Canadian Regulations: Appears on DSL/NDSL
Other Regulations: Always check local, regional, and country-specific chemical inventories and use guidelines
Workplace Controls: Follow occupational health and safety laws regarding hazardous materials, maintain chemical inventory logs, and train all handlers in safe chemical management