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Chemical Datasheet

DIMETHYL SULFIDE

3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 75-18-3   (DIMETHYL SULFIDE)
  • 1164
  • Flammable Liquid
  • DSL
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • DIMETHYLSULPHIDE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
2 0
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A clear colorless to straw colored liquid with a disagreeable odor. Flash point less than 0°F. Less dense than water and slightly soluble in water. Vapors are heavier than air.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Slightly soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic and irritating sulfur dioxide is formed.

Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel considerable distance to source of ignition and flash back. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation causes moderate irritation of upper respiratory system. Contact of liquid with eyes causes moderate irritation. Repeated contact with skin may extract oils and result in irritation. Ingestion causes nausea and irritation of mouth and stomach. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Organosulfides, such as DIMETHYL SULFIDE, are incompatible with acids, diazo and azo compounds, halocarbons, isocyanates, aldehydes, alkali metals, nitrides, hydrides, and other strong reducing agents. Reactions with these materials generate heat and in many cases hydrogen gas. Many of these compounds may liberate hydrogen sulfide upon decomposition or reaction with an acid. Dimethyl sulfide rapidly decomposes dibenzoyl peroxide explosively in the absence of solvent, [J. Org. Chem., 1972, 37, 2885]. The sulfide also decomposes xenon difluoride explosively at ambient temps, [J, Chem Soc., 1984, 2827]. Interaction of dimethyl sulfide and oxygen is explosive at 210°C and above, [Atmos. Environ., 1967, 1, 491-497]. A delayed explosion occurred in a system containing nitric acid, dimethyl sulfide, and 1, 4-dioxane, even with cooling with liquid nitrogen, [Chem. Abs., 1972, 76, 13515].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 130 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 130 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]:

CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 130 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Immiscible / Noxious)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Respirator with organic vapor canister; rubber or plastic gloves; goggles or face shield. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Dimethyl sulfide 75-18-3 Liquid >480 271 271
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
INHALATION: move victim to fresh air at once; enforce rest, and keep warm; get medical attention immediately.

EYES: flush with water for at least 15 min.; if irritation persists, get medical attention.

SKIN: flush with plenty of water and wash thoroughly; get treatment for any lasting irritation.

INGESTION: if large amounts are swallowed, induce vomiting by tickling the back of the throat with the finger or by giving an emetic such as two tablespoons of common salt in a glass of warm water; get medical attention. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C2H6S
Flash Point: -36°F (USCG, 1999)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): 2.2 % (USCG, 1999)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): 19.7 % (USCG, 1999)
Autoignition Temperature: 403°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -144°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 0.85 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
Boiling Point: 99°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 62.1 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

Chemical ERPG-1 ERPG-2 ERPG-3
Dimethyl Sulfide (75-18-3) 0.5 ppm star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1. 1000 ppm 5000 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. LEL = 22000 ppm
star-in-circle icon indicates that odor should be detectable near ERPG-1.
1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL.
(AIHA, 2022)

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Dimethyl sulfide; (2-Thiopropane) (75-18-3) 0.5 ppm 1000 ppm 5000 ppm 1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL. LEL = 22000 ppm
1-flame icon indicates value is 10-49% of LEL.
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names