Chemical Name: Ethylene Carbonate
Common Name: EC
Synonyms: 1,3-Dioxolan-2-one, Ethylene Glycol Carbonate
CAS Number: 96-49-1
Recommended Use: Used as a solvent in electrolytes for lithium batteries, as a plasticizer and in synthesis processes
Manufacturer: Contact supplier for name, address, emergency and technical contacts
Emergency Phone Number: Provided by supplier or refer to local chemical emergency hotline
Restrictions: Avoid use outside advised applications and incompatible materials
Classification: Eye irritation (Category 2A), Specific target organ toxicity – single exposure (Category 3, respiratory tract irritation), Skin irritation (Category 2)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation; May cause respiratory irritation; Causes skin irritation
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid inhalation of dust, fumes, or vapor; Wear protective gloves and eye protection; Wash hands thoroughly after handling; Eat or drink only after washing up
Symptoms of Exposure: Eye redness, skin irritation, respiratory discomfort, headache or dizziness after prolonged inhalation
Substance Name: Ethylene Carbonate
Purity: Typically greater than 99%
CAS Number: 96-49-1
Relevant Impurities: Contains trace amounts of water and possible organic by-products depending on supplier
Formula: C3H4O3
Molecular Weight: 88.06 g/mol
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately, provide oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, use plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes, seek medical help for persistent irritation.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes slowly and gently with water for 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open and moving eyes in all directions, remove contact lenses if present and easy, seek immediate care.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, contact poison control or a doctor immediately.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide.
Hazardous Combustion Products: Releases carbon oxides (CO, CO2) and potentially irritating gases if on fire.
Advice for Firefighters: Wear full protective gear and positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus, avoid inhaling gases, cool containers exposed to fire with water spray.
Special Hazards: Vapors may be heavier than air, spreading fire and collecting in low or narrow areas.
Personal Precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and suitable clothing, ventilate area, avoid dust or vapor formation.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers, ditches, or waterways, notify authorities if significant spill occurs.
Methods for Containment: Collect spillage using inert material such as sand or vermiculite, transfer to chemical waste drums.
Cleaning Up: Use wet methods to avoid dust, place contaminated materials in suitable containers for disposal, dispose in accordance with local, federal, and international regulations.
Handling: Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing, use only in well-ventilated settings, avoid breathing vapors or dusts, keep container tightly closed.
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and incompatible substances (strong acids, strong bases, oxidizers), keep containers securely closed.
Specific Practices: Use explosion-proof equipment if dust or mist buildup possible, ground and bond containers during transfer, keep away from food and beverages.
Exposure Limits: No occupational exposure limits established by OSHA, NIOSH or ACGIH; handle as a potential irritant.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or general room ventilation to minimize exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), laboratory coat or protective clothing—use respiratory protection where dust or vapor forms.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling, do not eat, drink, or smoke while using product, promptly remove contaminated clothing.
Appearance: Colorless to pale-yellow, odorless crystalline solid
Odor: Practically odorless
Odor Threshold: Not determined
pH: Not applicable (solid)
Melting Point/Freezing Point: 34–38°C
Boiling Point: 248–250°C
Flash Point: 160°C (Closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Not available
Flammability: Data not available, considered combustible
Explosive Properties: Not explosive
Vapor Pressure: <0.01 mmHg (20°C)
Vapor Density: Approximately 3 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 1.32 g/cm³ (20°C)
Solubility: Soluble in water and common organic solvents
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Log Kow: -0.32
Auto-ignition Temperature: 455°C
Decomposition Temperature: Data not available
Viscosity: Not available
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions of storage and handling
Reactivity: Little risk of hazardous polymerization
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, open flames, incompatible substances (strong acids, bases, oxidizers)
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, strong oxidizers—may react violently
Hazardous Decomposition Products: May give off toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, when heated strongly or burning.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat) > 10,000 mg/kg; LD50 (dermal, rabbit) > 2,000 mg/kg
Effects on Skin: Moderate irritation with direct contact
Effects on Eyes: Severe irritation, possible corneal injury
Effects by Inhalation: Respiratory tract irritation, coughing, headache, dizziness after prolonged exposure
Ingestion Effects: Gastrointestinal pain, nausea, vomiting
Chronic Effects: No chronic toxicity reported in available literature
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, OSHA, NTP or ACGIH
Sensitization: No evidence of skin or respiratory sensitization in animal tests
Mutagenicity or Reproductive Toxicity: Tests show no evidence of mutagenicity or reproductive harm at typical exposure levels
Eco-Toxicity: Not expected to be acutely toxic to aquatic life at dilute concentrations, LC50 (fish, 96hr) > 1,000 mg/L; EC50 (Daphnia, 48hr) > 1,000 mg/L
Persistence/Degradability: Biodegradable under aerobic conditions; breaks down to ethylene glycol and carbon dioxide by microbial action
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low potential, log Kow suggests little likelihood
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to water solubility
Other Adverse Effects: No evidence suggests that EC poses significant risk to ozone or causes other environmental hazards; good practice keeps spills away from natural water or sewer systems
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose product and contaminated materials through a licensed waste disposal contractor, follow local and federal laws
Container Disposal: Rinse empty containers thoroughly and mark for chemical waste pickup, do not reuse containers
Special Precautions: Do not allow undiluted product or large quantities to enter ground or surface water, report all significant accidental releases to authorities
EPA Waste Codes: Not classified under RCRA hazardous waste if uncontaminated, check local listings
Recommended Treatment: Incinerate with appropriate emission control equipment, alternatives include chemical or biological treatment where approved
UN Number: Not regulated under UN Model Regulations
Proper Shipping Name: Ethylene Carbonate
Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous for transport
Packing Group: Not applicable
Transport Labels: No special labeling required under US DOT, IATA, or IMDG
Special Precautions: Protect from mechanical damage and moisture during transportation, use sturdy containers to prevent spillage
Environmental Hazards: Transported product is not a marine pollutant, take care to avoid container leaks in sensitive environments
Bulk Transport: Product not subject to MARPOL or IBC Code restrictions for bulk cargo
OSHA: Not listed as hazardous under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
SARA Title III: Not listed as an Extremely Hazardous Substance; not subject to SARA Section 313 reporting
TSCA: Listed on the US Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
REACH: Listed on REACH registry, subject to general obligations for supply-chain communication and safe use
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Listed on Canadian Domestic Substances List
California Prop 65: Not listed as a known carcinogen or reproductive toxin
Other State or National Lists: Not regulated as a PBT substance, check local and national inventories for updates
Workplace Labeling: Containers must show product identity, hazard statements, and precautionary advice in the receiving language
