SIGMA-ALDRICH
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Date Printed: 04/19/2006
Date Updated: 01/29/2006
Version 1.11
Section 1 - Product and Company Information
Product Name TERT-BUTYL METHYL ETHER, ANHYDROUS,
99.8%
Product Number 306975
Brand ALDRICH
Company Sigma-Aldrich
Address 3050 Spruce Street
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103 US
Technical Phone: 800-325-5832
Fax: 800-325-5052
Emergency Phone: 314-776-6555
Section 2 - Composition/Information on Ingredient
Substance Name CAS # SARA 313
METHYL TERT BUTYL ETHER 1634-04-4 Yes
Formula C5H12O
Synonyms tert-Butyl methyl ether * 1,1-Dimethylethyl
methyl ether * 2-Methoxy-2-methylpropane * Methyl
tert-butyl ether (ACGIH) * Methyl
1,1-dimethylethyl ether * Propane,
2-methoxy-2-methyl- (9CI) * tert-Butoxymethane *
2-methoxy-2-methylpropane * MTBE
RTECS Number: KN5250000
Section 3 - Hazards Identification
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Flammable (USA) Highly Flammable (EU). Harmful.
Irritating to skin. Limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect.
Target organ(s): Kidneys. Central nervous system. Possible
Carcinogen (US).
HMIS RATING
HEALTH: 2*
FLAMMABILITY: 3
REACTIVITY: 0
NFPA RATING
HEALTH: 2
FLAMMABILITY: 3
REACTIVITY: 0
*additional chronic hazards present.
For additional information on toxicity, please refer to Section 11.
Section 4 - First Aid Measures
ORAL EXPOSURE
If swallowed, wash out mouth with water provided person is
conscious. Call a physician.
INHALATION EXPOSURE
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing give
artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
DERMAL EXPOSURE
In case of contact, immediately wash skin with soap and copious
amounts of water.
EYE EXPOSURE
In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with copious amounts
of water for at least 15 minutes.
Section 5 - Fire Fighting Measures
FLAMMABLE HAZARDS
Flammable Hazards: Yes
EXPLOSION HAZARDS
Vapor may travel considerable distance to source of ignition and
flash back. Container explosion may occur under fire conditions.
FLASH POINT
- 27.0 癋 - 33.0 癈 Method: closed cup
EXPLOSION LIMITS
Lower: 1.6 % Upper: 15.1 %
AUTOIGNITION TEMP
374 癈
FLAMMABILITY
N/A
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA
Suitable: For small (incipient) fires, use media such as
"alcohol" foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. For large
fires, apply water from as far as possible. Use very large
quantities (flooding) of water applied as a mist or spray; solid
streams of water may be ineffective. Cool all affected
containers with flooding quantities of water.
FIREFIGHTING
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus
and protective clothing to prevent contact with skin and eyes.
Specific Hazard(s): Vapor may travel considerable distance to
source of ignition and flash back. Flammable liquid.
Specific Method(s) of Fire Fighting: Use water spray to cool
fire-exposed containers.
Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures
PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED IN CASE OF LEAK OR SPILL
Evacuate area. Shut off all sources of ignition. Use nonsparking
tools.
PROCEDURE(S) OF PERSONAL PRECAUTION(S)
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, rubber boots, and heavy
rubber gloves.
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METHODS FOR CLEANING UP
Cover with an activated carbon adsorbent, take up and place in
closed containers. Transport outdoors. Ventilate area and wash
spill site after material pickup is complete.
Section 7 - Handling and Storage
HANDLING
User Exposure: Do not breathe vapor. Do not get in eyes, on
skin, on clothing. Avoid prolonged or repeated exposure.
STORAGE
Suitable: Keep tightly closed. Keep away from heat, sparks, and
open flame.
Section 8 - Exposure Controls / PPE
ENGINEERING CONTROLS
Safety shower and eye bath. Use nonsparking tools. Mechanical
exhaust required.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Respiratory: Use respirators and components tested and approved
under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN
(EU). Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are
appropriate use a full-face respirator with multi-purpose
combination (US) or type AXBEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as
a backup to engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole
means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Hand: Compatible chemical-resistant gloves.
Eye: Chemical safety goggles.
GENERAL HYGIENE MEASURES
Remove and wash contaminated clothing promptly. Wash thoroughly
after handling.
EXPOSURE LIMITS, RTECS
Country Source Type Value
USA ACGIH TWA 40 PPM
Section 9 - Physical/Chemical Properties
Appearance Physical State: Liquid
Property Value At Temperature or Pressure
Molecular Weight 88.15 AMU
pH N/A
BP/BP Range 55.0 - 56.0 癈 760 mmHg
MP/MP Range N/A
Freezing Point N/A
Vapor Pressure 209.385 mmHg 20 癈
Vapor Density 3.1 g/l
Saturated Vapor Conc. N/A
SG/Density 0.74 g/cm3
Bulk Density N/A
Odor Threshold N/A
Volatile% 100 %
VOC Content N/A
Water Content N/A
Solvent Content N/A
Evaporation Rate N/A
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Viscosity N/A
Surface Tension N/A
Partition Coefficient Log Kow: 0.94
Decomposition Temp. N/A
Flash Point - 27.0 癋 Method: closed cup
- 33.0 癈
Explosion Limits Lower: 1.6 %
Upper: 15.1 %
Flammability N/A
Autoignition Temp 374 癈
Refractive Index 1.369
Optical Rotation N/A
Miscellaneous Data N/A
Solubility Other Solvents: ETHER VERY SOLUBLE IN
ETHANOL, ETHYL
N/A = not available
Section 10 - Stability and Reactivity
STABILITY
Stable: Stable.
Materials to Avoid: Oxidizing agents, Strong acids.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Section 11 - Toxicological Information
ROUTE OF EXPOSURE
Skin Contact: Causes skin irritation.
Skin Absorption: May be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
Eye Contact: May cause eye irritation.
Inhalation: Material may be irritating to mucous membranes and
upper respiratory tract. May be harmful if inhaled.
Ingestion: May be harmful if swallowed.
SENSITIZATION
Sensitization: Will not occur
TARGET ORGAN(S) OR SYSTEM(S)
Kidneys. Central nervous system.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE
MTBE (methyl-tert-butyl ether) is reported to metabolize to
tert-butyl alcohol and formaldehyde by microsomal demethylation
Aspiration or inhalation may cause chemical pneumonitis. CNS
depression. Dizziness. Vomiting. Exposure can cause: Nausea. To
the best of our knowledge, the chemical, physical, and
toxicological properties have not been thoroughly investigated.
In another unpublished study MTBE was shown to be carcinogenic
due to "increased incidence of a rare type of kidney tumor" in
male rats and an "increase in the incidence of hepatocellular
adenomas" in female mice. According to an article in Toxicology
and Industrial Health, volume II, number 2, pages 119-149, 1995;
MTBE (methyl-tert-butyl ether) should be considered a "potential
human carcinogen" due to "an increase in leydig interstitial
cell tumors of testes in male rats" and an "increase in
lymphomas, leukemias, and uterine sarcomas" in female rats.
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TOXICITY DATA
Oral
Rat
4000 mg/kg
LD50
Inhalation
Rat
23,576 ppm
LC50
Oral
Mouse
5960 UL/KG
LD50
Inhalation
Mouse
141,000 mg/m3
LC50
Remarks: Behavioral:General anesthetic.
Intraperitoneal
Mouse
1700 UL/KG
LD50
IRRITATION DATA
Eyes
Rabbit
Remarks: No irritation effect
Eyes
Rabbit
Remarks: Mild irritation effect
CHRONIC EXPOSURE - CARCINOGEN
Result: This product is or contains a component that has been
reported to be possibly carcinogenic based on its IARC, ACGIH,
NTP, or EPA classification.
IARC CARCINOGEN LIST
Rating: Group 3
ACGIH CARCINOGEN LIST
Rating: A3
CHRONIC EXPOSURE - TERATOGEN
Species: Mouse
Dose: 4000 PPM/6H
Route of Application: Inhalation
Exposure Time: (6-15D PREG)
Result: Specific Developmental Abnormalities: Musculoskeletal
system. Effects on Embryo or Fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death,
e.g., stunted fetus).
CHRONIC EXPOSURE - REPRODUCTIVE HAZARD
Species: Rat
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Dose: 8000 PPM/6H
Route of Application: Inhalation
Exposure Time: (MULTIGENERATION)
Result: Effects on Newborn: Viability index (e.g., # alive at
day 4 per # born alive). Effects on Newborn: Growth statistics
(e.g., reduced weight gain).
Species: Mouse
Dose: 6 GM/KG
Route of Application: Oral
Exposure Time: (5D MALE)
Result: Paternal Effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm duct.
Species: Mouse
Dose: 8000 PPM/6H
Route of Application: Inhalation
Exposure Time: (6-15D PREG)
Result: Specific Developmental Abnormalities: Craniofacial
(including nose and tongue). Specific Developmental
Abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system. Effects on Fertility:
Post-implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants
per total number of implants).
Section 12 - Ecological Information
ACUTE ECOTOXICITY TESTS
Test Type: LC50 Fish
Species: Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow)
Time: 96 h
Value: 672 mg/l
Test Type: LC50 Fish
Species: other fish
Time: 96 h
Value: > 1,000 mg/l
Section 13 - Disposal Considerations
APPROPRIATE METHOD OF DISPOSAL OF SUBSTANCE OR PREPARATION
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose
of this material. Burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an
afterburner and scrubber but exert extra care in igniting as this
material is highly flammable. Observe all federal, state, and
local environmental regulations.
Section 14 - Transport Information
DOT
Proper Shipping Name: Methyl tert-butyl ether
UN#: 2398
Class: 3
Packing Group: Packing Group II
Hazard Label: Flammable liquid
PIH: Not PIH
IATA
Proper Shipping Name: Methyl tert-butyl ether
IATA UN Number: 2398
Hazard Class: 3
Packing Group: II
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Section 15 - Regulatory Information
EU DIRECTIVES CLASSIFICATION
Symbol of Danger: F-Xi
Indication of Danger: Highly Flammable. Irritant.
R: 11-38
Risk Statements: Highly flammable. Irritating to skin.
S: 9-16-24
Safety Statements: Keep container in a well-ventilated place.
Keep away from sources of ignition - no smoking. Avoid contact
with skin.
US CLASSIFICATION AND LABEL TEXT
Indication of Danger: Flammable (USA) Highly Flammable (EU).
Harmful.
Risk Statements: Irritating to skin. Limited evidence of a
carcinogenic effect.
Safety Statements: Keep container in a well-ventilated place.
Keep away from sources of ignition - no smoking. Wear suitable
protective clothing.
US Statements: Target organ(s): Kidneys. Central nervous system.
Possible Carcinogen (US).
UNITED STATES REGULATORY INFORMATION
SARA LISTED: Yes
DEMINIMIS: 1 %
NOTES: This product is subject to SARA section 313 reporting
requirements.
TSCA INVENTORY ITEM: Yes
CANADA REGULATORY INFORMATION
WHMIS Classification: This product has been classified in
accordance with the hazard criteria of the CPR, and the MSDS
contains all the information required by the CPR.
DSL: Yes
NDSL: No
Section 16 - Other Information
DISCLAIMER
For R&D use only. Not for drug, household or other uses.
WARRANTY
The above information is believed to be correct but does not
purport to be all inclusive and shall be used only as a guide. The
information in this document is based on the present state of our
knowledge and is applicable to the product with regard to
appropriate safety precautions. It does not represent any
guarantee of the properties of the product. Sigma-Aldrich Inc.,
shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or
from contact with the above product. See reverse side of invoice
or packing slip for additional terms and conditions of sale.
Copyright 2006 Sigma-Aldrich Co. License granted to make unlimited
paper copies for internal use only.
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