Synonyms: 2-Methoxy-2-methylpropane; tert-Butyl methyl ether; Methyl 1,1-dimethyl ethyl ether; MTBE
CAS No.: 1634-04-4
Molecular Weight: 88.15
Chemical Formula: C5H12O
Product Codes:
J.T. Baker: 9034, 9042, 9043
Mallinckrodt: 5398
Ingredient CAS No Percent Hazardous --------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ --------- Methyl tert-butyl Ether 1634-04-4 99 - 100% Yes
Emergency Overview
--------------------------
DANGER! EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. VAPOR MAY CAUSE FLASH FIRE. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED, INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. MAY AFFECT CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, BLOOD, AND KIDNEYS. A CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANT. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 2 - Moderate (Life)
Flammability Rating: 3 - Severe (Flammable)
Reactivity Rating: 1 - Slight
Contact Rating: 2 - Moderate (Life)
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT & APRON; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES; CLASS B EXTINGUISHER
Storage Color Code: Red (Flammable)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Inhalation:
Inhalation of vapor can irritate respiratory tract. Causes central nervous system effects. Breathing high concentrations in air can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache.
Ingestion:
May cause nausea, vomiting. Other symptoms similar to inhalation may occur. Laryngeal, ocular, and respiratory muscles are affected in severe poisoning.
Skin Contact:
A mild skin irritant which causes loss of natural oils. May be a route of absorption into the body.
Eye Contact:
Vapors can irritate eyes; splashes may cause damage to eye tissue.
Chronic Exposure:
Symptoms noted above may be produced by cumulative exposure.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.
Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Call a physician.
Ingestion:
Induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact:
Remove any contaminated clothing. Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation develops or persists.
Eye Contact:
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately.
Fire:
Flash point: -27C (-17F)
Autoignition temperature: 435C (815F)
Flammable limits in air % by volume:
lel: 1.6; uel: 8.4
Extremely Flammable Liquid and Vapor! Vapor may cause flash fire.
Explosion:
Above the flash point, explosive vapor-air mixtures may be formed. Vapors can flow along surfaces to distant ignition source and flash back. Sealed containers may rupture when heated. Sensitive to static discharge.
Fire Extinguishing Media:
Water spray, dry chemical, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide. Water spray may be used to keep fire exposed containers cool.
Special Information:
In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode.
Ventilate area of leak or spill. Remove all sources of ignition. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8. Isolate hazard area. Keep unnecessary and unprotected personnel from entering. Contain and recover liquid when possible. Use non-sparking tools and equipment. Collect liquid in an appropriate container or absorb with an inert material (e. g., vermiculite, dry sand, earth), and place in a chemical waste container. Do not use combustible materials, such as saw dust. Do not flush to sewer! If a leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse the vapors, to protect personnel attempting to stop leak, and to flush spills away from exposures. US Regulations (CERCLA) require reporting spills and releases to soil, water and air in excess of reportable quantities. The toll free number for the US Coast Guard National Response Center is (800) 424-8802.
J. T. Baker SOLUSORB® solvent adsorbent is recommended for spills of this product.
Protect against physical damage. Store in a cool, dry well-ventilated location, away from any area where the fire hazard may be acute. Outside or detached storage is preferred. Separate from incompatibles. Containers should be bonded and grounded for transfers to avoid static sparks. Storage and use areas should be No Smoking areas. Use non-sparking type tools and equipment, including explosion proof ventilation. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (vapors, liquid); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.
Airborne Exposure Limits:
-ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 50 ppm (TWA), A3 - Confirmed animal carcinogen with unknown relevance to humans
Ventilation System:
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee exposures below the Airborne Exposure Limits. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for details. Use explosion-proof equipment.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
If the exposure limit is exceeded and engineering controls are not feasible, a half-face organic vapor respirator may be worn for up to ten times the exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. A full-face piece organic vapor respirator may be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-face piece positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres. Where respirators are required, you must have a written program covering the basic requirements in the OSHA respirator standard. These include training, fit testing, medical approval, cleaning, maintenance, cartridge change schedules, etc. See 29CFR1910.134 for details.
Skin Protection:
Wear impervious protective clothing, including boots, gloves, lab coat, apron or coveralls, as appropriate, to prevent skin contact.
Eye Protection:
Use chemical safety goggles and/or a full face shield where splashing is possible. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work area.
Appearance:
Clear, colorless liquid.
Odor:
Characteristic ethereal odor.
Solubility:
4.8 g/100g of water.
Specific Gravity:
0.74
pH:
No information found.
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
100
Boiling Point:
55C (131F)
Melting Point:
-110C (-166F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
No information found.
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
245 @ 25C (77F)
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
No information found.
Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage. Unstable in acid solutions.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide may form when heated to decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Oxidizers, acids.
Conditions to Avoid:
Heat, flames, ignition sources and incompatibles.
Methyl tert butyl ether: Oral rat LD50: 4 gm/kg; inhalation rat LC50: 23576 ppm/4H.
--------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
---NTP Carcinogen---
Ingredient Known Anticipated IARC Category
------------------------------------ ----- ----------- -------------
Methyl tert-butyl Ether (1634-04-4) No No 3
Environmental Fate:
When released into the soil, this material is not expected to biodegrade. When released into the air, this material is expected to adversely affect the ozone layer. When released into the soil, this material is expected to quickly evaporate. When released to water, this material is expected to quickly evaporate. When released into the water, this material is expected to have a half-life between 1 and 10 days. This material has an estimated bioconcentration factor (BCF) of less than 100. This material is not expected to significantly bioaccumulate. When released into the air, this material is expected to be readily degraded by reaction with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals. When released into the air, this material is not expected to be degraded by photolysis. When released into the air, this material is expected to have a half-life between 1 and 10 days.
Environmental Toxicity:
No information found.
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be handled as hazardous waste and sent to a RCRA approved incinerator or disposed in a RCRA approved waste facility. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.
Domestic (Land, D.O.T.)
-----------------------
Proper Shipping Name: METHYL TERT-BUTYL ETHER
Hazard Class: 3
UN/NA: UN2398
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 215L
International (Water, I.M.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: METHYL BUTYL ETHER
Hazard Class: 3
UN/NA: UN2398
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 215L
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
Ingredient TSCA EC Japan Australia
----------------------------------------------- ---- --- ----- ---------
Methyl tert-butyl Ether (1634-04-4) Yes Yes Yes Yes
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
--Canada--
Ingredient Korea DSL NDSL Phil.
----------------------------------------------- ----- --- ---- -----
Methyl tert-butyl Ether (1634-04-4) Yes Yes No Yes
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
-SARA 302- ------SARA 313------
Ingredient RQ TPQ List Chemical Catg.
----------------------------------------- --- ----- ---- --------------
Methyl tert-butyl Ether (1634-04-4) No No Yes No
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
-RCRA- -TSCA-
Ingredient CERCLA 261.33 8(d)
----------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------
Methyl tert-butyl Ether (1634-04-4) 1000 No No
Chemical Weapons Convention: No TSCA 12(b): No CDTA: No
SARA 311/312: Acute: Yes Chronic: Yes Fire: Yes Pressure: No
Reactivity: No (Pure / Liquid)
Australian Hazchem Code: 3[Y]E
Poison Schedule: None allocated.
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required by the CPR.
NFPA Ratings: Health: 2 Flammability: 3 Reactivity: 0
Label Hazard Warning:
DANGER! EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. VAPOR MAY CAUSE FLASH FIRE. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED, INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. MAY AFFECT CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, BLOOD, AND KIDNEYS. A CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANT. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
Label Precautions:
Keep away from heat, sparks and flame.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.
Avoid breathing vapor.
Keep container closed.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Label First Aid:
If swallowed, induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes or skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. In all cases call a physician.
Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
No Changes.
************************************************************************************************
Prepared by: Environmental Health & Safety
Phone Number: (314) 654-1600 (U.S.A.)