General

Synonyms: ethanol, grain alcohol, fermentation alcohol, alcohol, methylcarbinol, absolute alcohol, absolute ethanol, anhydrous alcohol, alcohol dehydrated, algrain, anhydrol, Cologne spirit, duplicating fluid 100C, ethyl hydrate, ethyl hydroxide, jaysol, jaysol s, molasses alcohol, potato alcohol, sekundasprit, spirits of wine, spirit, synasol, tecsol
Molecular C₂H₅OH
CAS No: 64-17-5
EC No: 200-578-6
Annex I Index No: 603-002-00-5

Physical data

Appearance: colourless liquid
Melting point: -144 C
Boiling point: 78 C
Specific gravity: 0.789
Vapour pressure: 1.59
Flash point: 14 C (closed cup)
Explosion limits: 3.3% - 24.5%
Autoignition temperature: 363 C
Water solubility: miscible in all proportions

Stability

Stable. Substances to be avoided include strong oxidising agents, peroxides, acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, alkali metals, ammonia, moisture. Forms explosive mixtures with air. Hygroscopic.

Toxicology

Causes skin and eye irritation. Ingestion can cause nausea, vomitting and inebriation; chronic use can cause serious liver damage. Note that "absolute" alcohol, which is close to 100% ethanol, may nevertheless contain traces of 2-propanol, together with methanol or benzene. The latter two are very toxic, while "denatured" alcohol has substances added to it which make it unpleasant and possibly hazardous to consume. Typical OEL 1000 mg/m3.

Toxicity data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
ORL-CHD LDLO 2000 mg kg^-1
ORL-MUS LD50 3450 mg kg^-1
ORL-RAT LD50 7060 mg kg^-1
ORL-RAT LD50 7060 mg kg^-1
IHL-RAT LC50 20000 ppm/10h

Risk phrases
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
R11 R20 R21 R22 R36 R37 R38 R40.

Transport information

(The meaning of any UN hazard codes which appear in this section is given here.)
UN No 1170. Packing group II. Hazard class 3.0.

Further links

Alcoholics anonymous.

Personal protection

Safety glasses. Suitable ventilation.

Safety phrases
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
S7 S16 S24 S25 S36 S37 S39 S45.

This information was last updated on August 9, 2004. Although we have tried to make it as accurate and useful as possible, we can take no responsibility for its use or misuse.