Ethyl Bromide (Bromoethane)
1. Basic Identification
IUPAC Name: Bromoethane
Chinese Name:
Synonyms: Ethyl bromide, Bromic ether, Monobromoethane
EINECS No.: 203-275-6
MDL No.: MFCD00000232
Molecular Formula: \(\boldsymbol{C_2H_5Br}\)
Molecular Weight: 108.97
SMILES: CCBr
UN Number: UN 1891
HS Code: 2903399090
Hazard Classification: Class 3 Flammable Liquid Cat.2 + Class 6.1 Toxic Substance, Packing Group II
Chemical Category: Low-molecular alkyl bromide, industrial ethylating agent, pharmaceutical/pesticide synthesis intermediate, refrigerant, solvent
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
Appearance
Colorless transparent volatile liquid, sweet ether-like odor; slowly decomposes under light to turn pale yellow, releases bromine trace.
Physical Constant Table
| Parameter | Standard Value | Remarks |
| Melting Point | -119 ℃ | Fully liquid under normal storage |
| Boiling Point | 38.4 ℃ (760 mmHg) | Ultra-low boiling point, extremely volatile at room temperature |
| Density (20 ℃) | 1.460–1.465 g/mL | Heavier than water, sinks rapidly |
| Refractive Index \(n_{20/D}\) | 1.423–1.425 | Purity detection index |
| Closed Cup Flash Point | -20 ℃ | Extremely highly flammable liquid |
| Autoignition Temperature | 511 ℃ |
|
| Explosion Limit in Air (V/V) | 6.0% ~ 11.0% | Flammable vapor easily accumulates in low terrain |
| Water Miscibility | Slightly soluble in water |
|
| Organic Miscibility | Fully miscible with ethanol, acetone, benzene, toluene, ethyl acetate |
|
Core Chemical Characteristics
- Active ethylating reagent
Bromine atom is good leaving group, undergoes nucleophilic substitution with amines, phenols, carboxylate salts to introduce ethyl group; mild reaction condition, high conversion rate. - Light-sensitive decomposition
Long-term light exposure decomposes to ethane, ethylene, HBr and elemental bromine, liquid turns yellow; must use light-proof packaging. - Hydrolysis stability
Stable in neutral cold water; slow hydrolysis under high temperature/strong alkali to ethanol and sodium bromide. - Incompatible hazardous materials: Strong oxidants, strong alkalis, alkali metals, open flames, static sparks, ammonia
3. Export Industrial Quality Specifications
Premium Ethylation Synthetic Grade ≥99.0% (Mainstream Export)
| Test Item | Standard Spec | Test Method |
| Ethyl Bromide Main Content | ≥99.0 wt% | GC-FID Gas Chromatography |
| Ethanol Impurity | ≤0.10 % | GC |
| Moisture Content | ≤0.08 % | Karl Fischer Titration |
| Color (APHA) | ≤20 | Platinum-Cobalt Colorimetry |
| Distillate 37–40 ℃ Fraction | ≥95 vol% | Atmospheric distillation test |
| Appearance | Colorless clear liquid without yellow discoloration | Visual Inspection |
Pharma Ultra-Pure Grade ≥99.5%
Ultra-low alcohol and halogen impurities, dedicated for high-purity drug intermediate ethylation.
4. Main Industrial Applications
4.1 Pharmaceutical Fine Chemical Industry (High-value consumption)
- Ethylation reagent for antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, central nervous system APIs; introduces ethyl group on amino/phenolic hydroxyl to adjust drug lipophilicity.
- Raw material for quaternary ammonium salt drug intermediates, local anesthetic precursors.
4.2 Pesticide Industry
- Building block for herbicides, fungicides, insecticides; ethyl substitution constructs high-activity heterocyclic pesticide skeletons.
- Synthesis raw material for plant growth regulators.
4.3 Chemical Synthetic Field
- Universal ethylating agent for organic synthesis, phase transfer catalyst precursor raw material.
- Low-temperature solvent for special extraction, refrigerant medium for low-temperature experimental equipment.
4.4 Other Fields
- Analytical chemical derivatization reagent for chromatographic detection of polar compounds.
- Flame retardant auxiliary additive for synthetic resin.
5. Toxicology, Health Hazards & First Aid
Toxicity Profile
- Acute Oral LD50 (Rat): 1350–1600 mg/kg (Category 4 harmful if swallowed)
- Dermal hazard: Absorbable through intact skin; degreasing irritation, long contact causes erythema and blisters.
- Inhalation hazard: Volatile vapor irritates respiratory tract, high concentration induces headache, nausea, narcosis, liver/kidney damage.
- Eye hazard: Liquid splashing leads to severe conjunctival corrosion and corneal irritation.
- Environmental hazard: Toxic to aquatic organisms, volatile organic pollutant.
Typical Exposure Symptoms
Inhalation: Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, chest discomfort; skin contact: dry red rash, blisters after prolonged exposure.
Complete First-Aid Procedures
- Inhalation: Evacuate victim to fully ventilated fresh air immediately, oxygen inhalation; hospital liver/kidney function examination if lethargic.
- Skin Contact: Strip all contaminated clothing at once; continuously flush affected skin with large-volume cold running water for ≥15 minutes.
- Eye Contact: Force open upper/lower eyelids, irrigate eyes with abundant flowing cold water uninterrupted for ≥15 minutes; mandatory ophthalmic examination.
- Oral Intake: DO NOT induce vomiting; drink large amounts of milk or pure water for dilution and rush to hospital.
6. Storage, Handling & Incompatibility Rules
Mandatory Storage Conditions
- Warehouse classification: Special Class3 flammable + Class6.1 toxic dual-hazard liquid warehouse, fully isolated from oxidants, alkalis, ignition sources, food raw materials.
- Temperature control: Storage ≤20 ℃, cool dark warehouse, strictly avoid sunlight irradiation to prevent photolysis discoloration.
- Sealing requirement: 200L light-proof plastic-lined carbon steel drum fully sealed with PTFE gaskets; warehouse equipped with flammable toxic vapor leakage alarm, full explosion-proof electrical equipment.
- Static control: All transfer pipelines fully grounded; only non-sparking copper tools allowed for loading and sampling.
- Shelf life: 12 months under intact light-proof packaging.
Strictly Separated Incompatible Materials
Potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, caustic soda, sodium metal, ammonia, welding equipment, open flames.
Safe Operation Specifications
- Operators wear organic vapor gas-proof respirator, nitrile solvent-resistant protective suit, full-face impact safety goggles, thick solvent gloves.
- All feeding, transfer and sampling operations under fully sealed negative pressure explosion-proof fume hood; smoking, mobile phone use and spark-generating tools completely prohibited within 15m radius.
- Small leakage: Absorb liquid with dry inert sand, isolate all heat sources, collect waste into sealed toxic flammable hazardous waste metal barrels.
- Large leakage: Build sand retaining dikes to contain liquid, block rainwater and sewage pipelines to prevent toxic flammable vapor diffusion.
7. Export Packaging & Global Transportation Regulations
Standard Export Packaging Modes
- Industrial ethylation grade: 200L light-proof plastic-lined carbon steel drum
- Medium batch: 25L thick-wall light-proof plastic-lined iron drum
- Pharma reagent small package: 1L / 5L amber glass bottle with shockproof carton outer packaging
UN Transport Compliance Rules
UN 1891, Class3 Highly Flammable Liquid + Class6.1 Toxic Substance, Packing Group II
- Road transport: Special multi-hazard dangerous goods vehicles, full explosion-proof electrical parts, leakage collection trays, dual dry powder & CO₂ fire extinguishers.
- Ocean shipment: IMDG dual hazard labels (Flammable + Toxic), single-layer stacking only, segregated from food, alkali and oxidizer cargo holds.
- Loading ban: Mixed loading with alkaline chemicals, edible goods, feed, metal powders is completely forbidden.
Full Export Document Package
- Batch Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- GHS-compliant MSDS / SDS
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Marine Dangerous Goods Declaration
- REACH Registration Compliance Report
8. GHS Global Hazard Label Statements
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements:
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapor
H302 Harmful if swallowed
H312 Harmful in contact with skin
H332 Harmful if inhaled
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Precautionary Statements:
P210 Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames — No smoking
P261 Avoid breathing toxic volatile vapor/mist
P280 Wear gas-proof respirator, solvent-resistant protective suit, gloves and eye/face protection
P301+P312 IF SWALLOWED: Call poison center / doctor immediately
P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse continuously with plenty of cold water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical help
P403+P235 Store in cool, dark, ventilated multi-hazard warehouse, tightly sealed light-proof packaging
P501 Dispose of waste liquid as toxic flammable halogenated hydrocarbon hazardous waste per local environmental laws
9. Fire Emergency Disposal Plan
Approved Fire Extinguishing Agents
- Primary: Carbon dioxide (CO₂), dry chemical powder
- Auxiliary: Alcohol-resistant foam
Forbidden Agents
High-pressure water jet (liquid heavier than water floats and spreads flammable toxic vapor widely)
Fire Site Operation Steps
- Full evacuation of personnel to upwind safe zone ≥300 meters, cut all ignition sources near fire area.
- Continuously cool surrounding light-proof storage drums with water mist only on outer walls to prevent pressure expansion rupture.
- Collect all oily residual waste after fire; deliver to professional halogen-containing hazardous waste incineration plant for harmless treatment, never discharge waste into water bodies or soil.
10. Printable Export COA Template
CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS
Product Name: Ethyl Bromide (Bromoethane)
CAS No.: 105-37-3
Grade: Export Pharmaceutical & Pesticide Ethylation Industrial Grade
Batch No.: ____________
Net Weight: 200kg/drum
Manufacture Date: ____________
| Test Item | Standard Spec | Test Result | Test Method |
| Ethyl Bromide Purity | ≥99.0 % |
| GC Gas Chromatography |
| Ethanol Impurity | ≤0.10 % |
| GC |
| Moisture Content | ≤0.08 % |
| Karl Fischer Titration |
| Color (APHA) | ≤20 |
| Platinum-Cobalt Colorimetry |
| Distillation Range 37–40℃ Fraction | ≥95 vol% |
| Atmospheric Distillation |
| Appearance | Colorless clear liquid without yellow discoloration | Visual Inspection |
|
Conclusion: This batch complies with export industrial standard of Ethyl Bromide.
Inspector Signature: ____________
Issuance Date: ____________
11. E-commerce Listing Copy (Alibaba / Echemi Direct Use)
Product Title
Ethyl Bromide Bromoethane CAS 105-37-3 99% Colorless Light-Sensitive Highly Flammable Toxic Liquid Ethylating Agent Pharmaceutical API Intermediate Herbicide Synthesis Raw Material Low-Temp Solvent
Short Description
Ethyl bromide (C₂H₅Br, CAS 105-37-3) high-purity light-sensitive dual-hazard flammable toxic alkyl bromide liquid. Core industrial ethylating reagent for pharmaceutical and pesticide intermediate synthesis; also used as low-temperature extraction solvent and refrigerant medium. Complete UN1891 Class3+6.1 dual-hazard dangerous goods export documents COA, MSDS and TDS for bulk drum sea shipment.
Full Description
Ethyl bromide is a low-carbon alkyl bromide fine chemical, supplied as colorless volatile liquid with ≥99% GC purity, prone to photolysis and yellowing without light-proof packaging. It has high ethyl substitution activity, widely applied in ethylation modification of amines, phenols and carboxylate salts across pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Ultra-low boiling point leads to strong volatility, flammable and toxic vapor easily accumulates at low ground, requiring full explosion-proof light-proof sealed storage and closed negative-pressure operation.
Core downstream application sectors: ethylating synthesis reagent for antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and central nervous system pharmaceutical intermediates; building block for broad-spectrum herbicides and fungicides; low-temperature solvent for special chemical extraction and laboratory cooling equipment; precursor for quaternary ammonium phase transfer catalysts. We supply standard industrial general grade and ultra-low-impurity pharmaceutical special grade.
Packed in 200L light-proof plastic-lined sealed steel drums for full-container sea freight. Classified UN1891 dual-hazard dangerous goods (highly flammable + toxic), we provide complete IMDG dual-hazard transport, commodity inspection and REACH compliance certificates for long-term bulk supply to pharmaceutical fine chemical factories, pesticide synthesis manufacturers and special solvent enterprises.
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