chemical properties |
colourless gas |
general description |
dimethyl ether is a colorless gas with a faint ethereal odor. dimethyl ether is shipped as a liquefied gas under its vapor pressure. contact with the liquid can cause frostbite. dimethyl ether is easily ignited. its vapors are heavier than air. any leak can be either liquid or vapor. dimethyl ether can asphyxiate by the displacement of air. under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat the containers may rupture violently and rocket. |
air & water reactions |
highly flammable. upon standing and exposure to air (oxygen) tendency to form explosive peroxides. when ethers containing peroxides are heated (distilled) they can detonate [lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 854]. |
reactivity profile |
dimethyl ether is a colorless, highly flammable gas (b. p. -24° c), slightly toxic. very dangerous fire and explosion hazard when exposed to flame, sparks, heat or strong oxidizers. violent reaction with aluminum hydride, lithium aluminum hydride. upon standing and exposure to air (oxygen) tendency to form explosive peroxides. when ethers containing peroxides are heated (distilled) they can detonate [lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 854]. |
health hazard |
inhalation produces some anesthesia (but less than that of ethyl ether), blurring of vision, headache, intoxication, loss of consciousness. liquid or concentrated vapor irritates eyes. contact of liquid with skin may cause frostbite. |
fire hazard |
behavior in fire: containers may explode. vapors are heavier than air and may travel long distance to a source of ignition and flash back. |