Product Name: Ethanesulfonic Acid Methyl Ester
Chemical Formula: C3H8O3S
CAS Number: 126-27-4
Synonyms: Methyl ethanesulfonate, Methane sulfonic acid methyl ester
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, chemical intermediate
Manufacturer’s Details: [Manufacturer contact information and emergency phone number]
GHS Classification: Acute Toxicity (oral, dermal, inhalation), Skin Irritation, Eye Damage, Carcinogenicity (suspected)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, causes skin and eye irritation, may cause respiratory tract irritation, suspected of causing cancer
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, Exclamation mark, Health hazard
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, fumes, or vapors. Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye and face protection. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Use only in a well-ventilated area.
Chemical Name: Methyl ethanesulfonate
Concentration: 98–100%
Impurities: Trace levels of related alkyl sulfonates
Molecular Weight: 124.16 g/mol
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Give oxygen by trained personnel if breathing is difficult. Seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical assistance.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, removing contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing and obtain medical attention.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth thoroughly with water. Never give anything by mouth to someone unconscious. Call medical help or poison control immediately.
Advice for Physician: Treat symptoms and maintain vital functions. Chemical burns to skin and eyes require immediate specialized treatment.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam, water spray
Unsuitable Media: Direct water jets may spread fire
Specific Hazards: Emits toxic fumes of sulfur oxides, carbon oxides, methyl compounds when burned
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Advice for Firefighters: Approach fire from upwind. Cool exposed containers with water spray to prevent pressure build-up.
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, ventilate area, avoid dust/vapor inhalation. Wear gloves, goggles, lab coat, and appropriate respiratory protection.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spillage from entering drains, waterways, or soil. Inform authorities if large release occurs.
Methods for Cleanup: Absorb with inert material like sand or vermiculite. Place waste in a secure, labeled container for proper disposal. Clean area with soap and water. Ensure proper ventilation before allowing personnel into the contaminated area.
Handling: Use only inside chemical fume hood or well-ventilated space. Avoid inhaling vapors, ingestion, and contact with skin or eyes. Practice safe handling procedures and proper hygiene. Store pipettes, waste, and contaminated materials separately.
Storage: Store in tightly closed, properly labeled container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Keep away from incompatible substances like strong oxidizers, strong bases. Protect from light, heat, ignition sources, and moisture.
Engineering Controls: Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to control airborne levels below recommended exposure limits.
Respiratory Protection: Approved air-purifying respirator or supplied air equipment if exposure potential exists.
Skin Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), lab coat, apron
Eye Protection: Chemical safety goggles plus full-face shield
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face after handling and before breaks or eating. Remove contaminated clothing before leaving the laboratory area.
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Irritating, sulfurous odor
Odor Threshold: Not established
pH: Not available
Melting Point: -30°C
Boiling Point: 112-118°C
Flash Point: 33°C (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Not determined
Flammability: Flammable liquid
Vapor Pressure: 10 mmHg (20°C)
Vapor Density: 4.3 (air=1)
Relative Density: 1.22 g/cm³
Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohol, ether
Partition Coefficient: log Kow: −1.01
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 420°C
Decomposition Temperature: Not specified
Viscosity: Not determined
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions of storage and handling
Reactivity: Reacts with strong bases, amines, oxidizing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Toxic gases including sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methyl compounds on decomposition
Conditions to Avoid: Excess heat, light, moisture, ignition sources, incompatible substances
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Violent reaction with strong oxidizers or reducing agents possible
Acute Toxicity: Oral (rat) LD50: 95 mg/kg. Inhalation and dermal exposure hazardous
Irritation/Corrosiveness: Causes burns or severe irritation to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes
Carcinogenicity: IARC Group 2B – possibly carcinogenic to humans; positive mutagenicity in vitro
Routes of Exposure: Skin, eyes, inhalation, ingestion
Symptoms: Coughing, shortness of breath, nausea, headaches, skin redness, blurred vision, long-term effects possible on liver, kidneys
Sensitization: Not classified as sensitizer, but exposure history should be tracked. Chronic exposure can amplify toxic effects.
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms, potential for long-term aquatic effects
Persistence and Degradability: Not readily biodegradable. Can persist in environment if released in quantity
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low based on log Kow
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to water solubility
Other Adverse Effects: May disrupt aquatic ecosystems or soil microflora if uncontrolled release occurs
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of as hazardous chemical waste via incineration by licensed contractor
Disposal Containers: Use approved, closure-secured, chemical-resistant containers clearly labeled for hazardous waste
Environmental Precautions: Do not pour into drains, sewers, or natural waterways
Special Instructions: Follow local, regional, and national regulations for hazardous chemical disposal. Contaminated packaging should be handled as chemical waste.
UN Number: UN 1245
Proper Shipping Name: Methyl ethanesulfonate
Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: II (medium danger)
Transport Labels: Flammable liquid, Toxic substance
Special Transport Precautions: Keep away from foodstuffs, acids, oxidizers, heat sources during transport. Transport only by experienced personnel following regulatory requirements.
International Inventories: Listed on TSCA (USA), EINECS (EU), DSL (Canada) in hazardous substances lists
OSHA Status: Regulated under Hazard Communication Standard
SARA Title III: Subject to reporting under Section 313 (toxic chemical release inventory)
California Proposition 65: Known to the State of California to cause cancer
REACH Status (EU): Candidate list substance, subject to authorization and restriction
Other Regulations: National and local workplace safety and environmental agency standards apply. Employees working with this chemical require hazard training and personal protective equipment at all times.
