Product Name: Dimethoxymethane
Synonyms: Methylal, Formaldehyde dimethyl acetal
CAS Number: 109-87-5
Recommended Use: Used as a solvent, chemical intermediate, and fuel additive.
Supplier Details: Include company address, emergency phone number, and relevant contact information.
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 2); Acute toxicity, oral (Category 4); Eye Irritation (Category 2A); Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure (Category 3).
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapor. Harmful if swallowed. Causes serious eye irritation. May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Pictograms: Flame, Exclamation mark.
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces. Avoid breathing vapors. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye protection.
Chemical Name: Dimethoxymethane
Concentration: 99% or higher
CAS Number: 109-87-5
Impurities: Trace amounts of methanol, formaldehyde, or water may be present.
Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air. If conscious but symptoms like dizziness or nausea develop, seek medical attention without delay. Artificial respiration and oxygen may be needed.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash affected area thoroughly with soap and water. If skin irritation persists, see a healthcare provider.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes. Lift eyelids to ensure full rinsing. Immediate medical attention helps limit damage.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Never induce vomiting unless instructed by a professional. Get medical help. Consider risk of methanol poisoning as a related hazard.
Most Important Symptoms: Headache, drowsiness, irritation, confusion, and respiratory distress in serious cases.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Water can be used for cooling containers only.
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not spray water directly since vapors can spread, making flashback more likely.
Specific Hazards: Vapors form explosive mixtures with air. Rapid ignition possible at room temperature. Decomposition can release toxic gases like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective suit.
Special Procedures: Remove exposed containers from fire area if safe to do so. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ventilate zone, and eliminate sources of ignition. Wear personal protective equipment including gloves, goggles, and suitable respirators.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent runoff to drains, surface and ground waters.
Containment Methods: Stop leak if possible without risk. Use non-sparking tools.
Cleanup Procedures: Absorb with inert materials such as dry sand or earth. Keep in closed container for disposal. Wash area afterward, ensuring vapor buildup doesn’t occur.
Handling: Keep in tightly closed containers. Use with proper ventilation. Take measures against static discharge.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from sunlight, heat, and incompatible substances like strong acids, oxidizing agents, or alkalis. Containers should be properly labeled and sealed.
Specific Conditions: Avoid contact with open flames, hot surfaces, and ignition sources. Keep away from food and beverages.
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH recommends a TWA of 1,000 ppm (3,160 mg/m³) for dimethoxymethane.
Engineering Controls: Use adequate local exhaust ventilation to maintain vapor concentrations below recommended limits.
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles or face shield. Flame-resistant gloves, lab coat, and chemical-resistant apron. Approved respirators for concentrations above limits.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling and before eating or drinking. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Ether-like, sweet odor
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: Not applicable
Melting Point/Freezing Point: -97°C
Boiling Point: 42°C (108°F)
Flash Point: -6°C (21°F) (Closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Rapid
Flammability: Highly flammable
Explosive Limits: Lower: 2.2% Upper: 19% (volume in air)
Vapor Pressure: 360 mmHg at 20°C
Vapor Density: 2.6 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 0.82 (water = 1)
Solubility: Miscible with water
Partition Coefficient: log Kow: -0.36
Auto-ignition temperature: 234°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not determined
Viscosity: Low
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures when kept in closed containers.
Reactivity: May react with strong oxidizers. Can react with acids, releasing formaldehyde.
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Generates explosive peroxides over time.
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, alkalis, oxidizing materials, halogens.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and formaldehyde under fire conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, flames, sparks, static charges, and exposure to air for extended periods.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): ~1,650 mg/kg; Inhalation LC50 (rat, 4h): 57,720 ppm
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact.
Potential Effects: Headache, nausea, dizziness, central nervous system depression from inhalation. Eye and skin irritation. May aggravate respiratory conditions.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause liver and kidney injury. No evidence for mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, or reproductive toxicity under expected use. Metabolites include methanol, which has its own hazards.
Ecotoxicity: Aquatic toxicity is moderate. LC50 (fish, 96h): 6,130 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegradable in water and soil; half-life in aquatic systems varies from a few days to about a week.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low log Kow indicates low potential for bioconcentration.
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to water solubility.
Other Adverse Effects: Releases can contribute to ground-level ozone formation. No significant impact on ozone depletion or global warming.
Waste Disposal: Treat as hazardous waste. Utilize chemical incineration with afterburner and scrubber. Do not pour into drains or release to the environment.
Container Disposal: Empty containers must not be reused. Triple rinse, puncture, and dispose of through a licensed facility.
Special Instructions: Comply with local and federal regulations for hazardous waste disposal. Consult with certified waste disposal contractor for recommended options.
UN Number: UN1230
UN Proper Shipping Name: Dimethoxymethane
Transport Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquids)
Packing Group: II
Labels: Flammable Liquid
Marine Pollutant: Not designated
Special Precautions: Secure tightly. Use spark-proof vehicles. Placard as flammable. Emergency procedures required in case of leakage or fire.
OSHA Status: Regulated as a hazardous material.
SARA Title III, Sections 302/304/313: Not listed as an extremely hazardous substance or reportable chemical.
TSCA: Listed in the TSCA Inventory.
REACH Registration: Meets regulatory requirements for import or manufacture in the EU.
Canadian WHMIS Classification: B2 (Flammable Liquids), D2B (Toxic Material Causing Other Toxic Effects)
Other Regulations: Check local, national, and regional rules for workplace handling and storage. Emergency planning and environmental reporting may be triggered by site use volume.
