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Product Name: Petroleum Ether
Synonyms: Light Petroleum, Petroleum Spirits, Benzine
Chemical Family: Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Mixture
Recommended Use: Laboratory Solvent, Extraction Solvent, Cleaning Fluid
Supplier Details: Manufacturer or distributor name, address, emergency contact number
CAS Number: Range from 64742-49-0 to 8032-32-4 reflecting complex mixtures
UN Number: UN1268 or UN3295, depending on specific composition
Emergency Contact: National chemical emergencies center or company-specific support
GHS Classification: Flammable Liquid (Category 1 or 2), Aspiration Hazard (Category 1)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapor, May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways, Causes skin irritation, May cause drowsiness or dizziness
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; No smoking; Ground or bond container and receiving equipment; Use explosion-proof equipment; Avoid breathing vapors; Wear protective gloves, clothing, and eye protection
Pictograms: Flame, Health hazard, Exclamation mark
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, eye contact
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure can cause central nervous system depression, possible organ damage with repeated contact; Risk of chemical pneumonitis from aspiration
Substance: Petroleum Ether
Components: Mixture of liquid hydrocarbons primarily hexane, pentane, and heptane
Chemical Formula: Not applicable (complex mixture)
Concentration: Composed of aliphatic hydrocarbons, carbon chain C5–C7, no single component above regulatory thresholds for separate listing
Impurities: May contain trace aromatics, sulfur compounds in minimal quantities
Component CAS Numbers: Range includes 64742-49-0 (Naphtha petroleum), 109-66-0 (Pentane), 110-54-3 (n-Hexane), 142-82-5 (n-Heptane)
Other Identifiers: EC Numbers and chemical indexes per international chemical inventories
Inhalation: Remove from exposure area; support breathing with fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash gently with soap and water for 15 minutes; change out of contaminated clothing, seek medical help if irritation or signs of toxicity occur
Eye Contact: Flush eyes immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes, contacting medical services if pain or redness remains
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting due to aspiration risk; rinse mouth, obtain urgent medical evaluation; provide material safety information to caregivers
Most Important Symptoms: Drowsiness, headache, nausea, chemical burns, pulmonary edema from aspiration
Special Advice for Emergency Responders: Check vital signs, administer oxygen if needed, remain vigilant for delayed respiratory symptoms
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide; avoid using water streams that can spread liquid
Unsuitable Media: Water jets as these can disperse burning liquid and vapor
Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, irritating vapors, incomplete products of hydrocarbons
Flash Point: Range between −40°C to −20°C, highly volatile under ambient conditions
Explosion Hazards: Vapors form explosive mixtures with air; ignites readily from open flames, static, or sparks
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear including self-contained breathing apparatus for fire responders
Special Procedures: Cool surrounding tanks with water spray; contain runoff; evacuate area; prevent entry to drains or waterways
Advice for Firefighters: Approach upwind, fight fire from safe distance, use non-sparking tools
Personal Precautions: Evacuate nonessential personnel, ventilate area, eliminate all ignition sources, use non-sparking equipment
Personal Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, antistatic footwear, flame-resistant clothing; use respiratory protection for vapor
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spilled material from entering drains, soil, or surface waters; alert authorities if significant environmental release occurs
Containment Methods: Dike area with inert material such as sand or absorbent granules; avoid contact with soil
Cleanup Procedures: Absorb with vermiculite, sand, or commercial absorbent; collect residues in labeled, tightly sealed drum; ventilate and check vapor level before re-occupying area
Disposal: See section on Disposal Considerations for compliance methods
Handling Precautions: Use in well-ventilated locations, away from any ignition source; ground and bond containers during transfer; avoid inhaling vapors and skin or eye contact
Technical Measures: Ground electrical equipment in use, enforce no smoking, store only in approved containers; avoid static buildup
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands after handling, remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse
Storage Requirements: Store in flammable liquid storage cabinet or segregated approved area, keep tightly closed, away from oxidizers, heat, direct sunlight, acids
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, acids, halogens
Additional Cautions: Keep container upright; monitor for leaks; use explosion-proof lighting and electrical equipment
Occupational Storage Limits: Follow local/fire marshal limits for on-site volume
Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV 300 ppm (n-Hexane); OSHA PEL 500 ppm (Petroleum Ether ranges); consult local limits for specifics
Engineering Controls: Utilize local exhaust or mechanical ventilation to keep vapor concentration below occupational limits; use explosion-proof devices
Personal Protective Equipment: Nitrile or neoprene gloves, chemical safety goggles, flame-resistant laboratory coat, antistatic shoes, face shield for splashing risk
Respiratory Protection: Approved organic vapor cartridge respirators, or supplied air if exposure likely over recommended limits
Protective Measures: Emergency eye wash and safety showers available near handling locations; limit access to trained staff
Environmental Controls: Monitor emissions to air; use spill containment trays or sorbents under work areas
Physical State: Clear colorless liquid
Odor: Mild petroleum or gasoline-like
Odor Threshold: Detectable at low ppm
Boiling Point: Between 30°C and 70°C (varies by grade)
Melting Point: Approximately −60°C
Density: About 0.6–0.8 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: High, ranging from 33–50 kPa at 20°C
Vapor Density: >2 (air = 1)
Solubility in Water: Negligible
Partition Coefficient: High log Kow, bioaccumulative potential
Evaporation Rate: Rapid, based on volatility
Viscosity: Low
Auto-ignition Temperature: Between 220°C and 300°C
Explosion Limits: Lower: ~1%, Upper: ~7.5% (v/v in air)
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage, but vapors can form explosive mixtures with air
Reactivity: Reacts with strong oxidizing agents, risk of violent reaction
Conditions to Avoid: Open flames, high temperatures, static discharge, sparks
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, halogens, nitrates, peroxides
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, possibly toxic fumes
Polymerization: Unlikely under normal handling but avoid contamination with incompatible substances
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral/rat): typically >5,000 mg/kg for mixtures; causes drowsiness, narcosis, nausea
Inhalation: CNS depression, headaches, dizziness, loss of consciousness at high concentrations; chemical pneumonitis risk
Skin Contact: Defatting dermatitis, redness, possible allergic response
Eye Contact: Redness, watering, pain, temporary impairment
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure can affect liver, kidneys, peripheral nerves (especially with high n-hexane content)
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogen under IARC, NTP, or OSHA criteria
Reproductive Effects: Animal studies suggest high exposures may cause adverse developmental effects
Other Risks: Aspiration hazard; swallowing can lead to severe lung damage
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic life; LC50 (fish) between 2-10 mg/L for n-hexane-rich fractions
Persistence and Degradability: Subject to moderate biodegradation, persistence possible in the absence of oxygen
Bioaccumulation: High potential due to partition coefficient, risk to aquatic organisms
Mobility: Volatility leads to atmospheric dispersal; can float on water, seep into soil
Environmental Precautions: Avoid release to environment; report large spills to regulatory authorities
Ecological Hazards: Oil film can deplete oxygen in surface water; chronic exposure affects aquatic food chains
Waste Handling: Collect as hazardous waste in sealed containers, label clearly with chemical name and hazard class
Disposal Methods: Incinerate in approved facility with emission controls, or dispose via licensed hazardous waste provider
Container Disposal: Triple rinse empty drums, puncture and send for recycling or certified landfill after decontamination
Prohibited Practices: Never pour into drains, watercourses or landfill without controls
Regulatory Compliance: Follow national, state, local hazardous waste regulations (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act in the US)
Additional Cautions: Keep disposal documentation, track storage duration; unauthorized disposal leads to significant penalties
UN Number: UN1268 (Petroleum Distillates, n.o.s.); UN3295 (Hydrocarbons, Liquid, n.o.s.)
Hazard Class: Flammable liquid, Class 3
Packing Group: II
Labeling Requirements: Flammable liquid flammable diamond, UN number displayed on container
Shipping Name: Petroleum Ether or Petroleum Distillates, n.o.s.
Marine Pollutant: Yes (under IMDG regulations)
Special Precautions: Only trained hazardous materials handlers can transport; use certified flammable liquid packaging; secure upright in vented areas
United States: Listed on TSCA; SARA 311/312 (Fire Hazard, Health Hazard); SARA 313 (for n-Hexane content); RCRA hazardous waste code U043
European Union: Listed on EINECS/REACH; subject to Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulations; assigned Risk and Safety phrases per EU standards
Other International: Australia AICS, Canada DSL, Japan ENCS, China IECSC; check local requirements for control of flammable and toxic substances
Occupational Standards: Subject to workplace exposure limits, safety planning, and training duties
Advertising Restrictions: Restrictions on retail sale or use in consumer products depending on jurisdiction
Additional Agency Oversight: Environmental regulators monitor disposal, release, and emergency response planning; fire code compliance needed for storage/handling
