Product Safety Summary for Dimethyl Carbonate
SUBSTANCE NAME
Dimethyl carbonate
Carbonic acid, dimethyl ester
Dimethylcarbonat
DMCGENERAL STATEMENT
Dimethyl carbonate is a colorless liquid with a pleasant odour. It is an organic compound with a wide range ofuses and applications, both in industrial and consumer level. Its main use is as raw material for theproduction of plastics and as solvent for several different applications. Its use as solvent has considerablyincreased due to its low hazard properties for human health and environment in comparison to other solvent
alternatives. Dimethyl carbonate is a flammable substance. Flammability is its main hazard property.
Therefore, fire prevention needs to be carefully managed.

CHEMICAL IDENTITYEC Name:
EC-No. :CAS-No. :Molecular formula:
Structural formula:dimethyl carbonate210-478-4
616-38-6
C3H6O3

USES AND APPLICATIONS
Dimethyl carbonate is a colorless liquid used as monomer for the manufacturing of polycarbonatediols and as
raw material for the production of certain plastics. It is also used in chemical, pharmaceutical and agriculturalindustry. Dimethyl carbonate can also be found in products such as pH-regulators, flocculants, precipitants
and neutralization agents. Its main use is as cleaning agent and as solvent in paints, adhesives, sealants, inks
and electrolyte solutions for batteries.

PHYSICAL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Dimethyl carbonate is a colorless liquid at room temperature and pressure. It has a pleasant odor.
Melting point/range:
Boiling point/boiling range:
Decomposition temperature:
Flashpoint:
Flammability (solid, gaseous):
Ignition temperature:

April 10th, 2012

4.65 °C at atmospheric pressure
90.35 °C at atmospheric pressure
Not determined
16.7 °C (closed cup) at atmospheric pressure
highly flammable
458 °C at atmospheric pressure

Page 1

Product Safety Summary for Dimethyl Carbonate
Explosion limits:
Lower:
Upper:
Explosive properties:
Molecular weight:
pH value:log Pow:
Vapor pressure:
Vapor density:
Relative density:
Dissociation constant:Solubility in/Miscibility
with water:
Dynamic Viscosity:
Oxidising properties:

4.22%
12.87%
Not explosive.
90.0779 g/mol
Not applicable
0.354 (at 20 °C)
7570.4 Pa at 25 °C
Not determined
1.0633 at 25 °C
Not applicable114.7 g/l (at 20 °C)
0.585 mPa.s (at 20°C)
Not applicable

HEALTH EFFECTS
Dimethyl carbonate is a small molecule which is highly water soluble and has an octanol/water partition
coefficient of 0.354. It could be expected that it is likely to be absorbed into the body by the dermal route of
exposure and, based on its moderate vapour pressure of 7.57 KPa at 25 °C and its boiling point of 90 °C, it
could also be expected that absorption through inhalation might be likely. However, according to the toxicity
studies, there was no indication of inhalatory or dermal absorption, metabolism, excretion or distribution.
The acute rat oral, dermal and inhalation studies, together with the repeat dose inhalation study and the one
generation reproductive toxicity study indicated no resultant adverse toxicity. Similarly, there was noevidence of significant skin or eye irritation or sensitization potential.
EFFECT ASSESSMENT
Acute Toxicity(oral/dermal/inhalation)
Irritation/Corrosivity(skin/eye/respiratory tract)
Sensitization(skin/respiratory tract)
Repeated Dose Exposure

Mutagenicity
CarcinogenicityReproductive Toxicity

April 10th, 2012RESULT
Dimethyl carbonate is of low acute toxicity via oral, skin andinhalation routes of exposure.
Dimethyl carbonate is not irritating to the skin or to the eyes.
Corrosivity was not tested on the basis of the absence of irritation
properties.
Based on the available data Dimethyl carbonate is not considered
to have skin or respiratory sensitization properties.
Test results with oral exposure indicate that there is no marked
repeated dose toxicity.
Repeated dose toxicity via the inhalation and dermal exposure
route have not been tested.
All available test data indicates that Dimethyl carbonate does notcause mutagenic effects.
No carcinogenicity data is available.
All available data suggest that Dimethyl carbonate has no adverse
fertility or reproductive effects.

Page 2

Product Safety Summary for Dimethyl Carbonate
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Dimethyl carbonate is partitioned into air and water with negligible amounts in soil, sediment and biota. In
the aqueous environment it is considered to be readily biodegradable. Its low partition coefficient suggeststhat Dimethyl carbonate has low bioaccumulation potential. All available information indicates that Dimethylcarbonate is not environmentally hazardous.
EFFECT ASSESSMENT
Aquatic Toxicity

RESULTFish, daphnia, algae and plant studies indicate that theenvironmental toxicity of dimethyl carbonate is low.

FATE AND BEHAVIOR
Biodegradation

RESULT
Dimethyl carbonate is readily biodegradable in water.
Biodegradability in soil and sediment is not relevant.
Based on the low partition coefficient it is concluded that thebioaccumulation potential of Dimethyl carbonate is very low anddoes not need to be studied further.
Dimethyl carbonate is neither PBT nor vPvB based on
biodegradation and bioaccumulation results and no hazard toaquatic species.

Bioaccumulation potential

PBT/vPvB conclusion

EXPOSURE
Human Health
Exposure to Dimethyl carbonate can occur to workers in industrial facilities where it is produced, stored,
handled or processed. Professional users or consumers may come into contact with Dimethyl carbonate
through commonly used formulated products, such as paints, sealants, adhesives, inks, cleaners and batteries.
Based on the physical properties of Dimethyl carbonate, skin contact and inhalation are the most likely routesof exposure. The health effects of dimethyl carbonate are such that it does not pose a risk to any kind of user.
The most relevant risk of Dimethyl carbonate is its flammability. Therefore, fire prevention is the mostrelevant measure to protect workers.
Environment
Dimethyl carbonate may be released to the environment in air and water from manufacturing and industrial
use facilities. All identified uses of the substance have been assessed as safe for the environment. The
physical properties of the substance are such that exposure to sediment is unlikely. Indirect release tosediment is also unlikely since the substance is readily biodegradable.

RISK MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Dimethyl carbonate poses very low human health and environmental risks. However, it is a good practice totrain personnel that handle the substance and to protect workers who may be exposed to Dimethyl carbonate
by taking the usual precautionary measures to protect against chemical exposure. Therefore, protective
clothing, gloves and safety glasses should be worn when handling Dimethyl carbonate. Unless highconcentrations are present, respiratory protection is not required, provided ventilation is good.
Flammability is the main hazard property of Dimethyl carbonate, therefore risk management needs to focus
on fire prevention. Containers and equipment containing Dimethyl carbonate should be correctly labeledclearly indicating its flammability. All electrical installations should be explosion proof. The creation andaccumulation of static discharge during transfer of the substance should be controlled by precautionary
measures such as grounding and bonding containers and equipment. Dimethyl carbonate should be stored inApril 10th, 2012

Page 3

Product Safety Summary for Dimethyl Carbonate
a special, ventilated, enclosure, grouped by risk category and adequately isolated from incompatible
substances or substances that may give rise to hazardous reactions. In addition, Dimethyl carbonate should
be stored in undamaged, secure packaging. Only those quantities necessary for immediate work should bekept in the work area. Open pouring should be avoided and operations involving the possible release ofliquid, vapor, dust, etc. should be carried out using closed processes or, failing this, in well-ventilated areas orin installations with local extraction systems.
For environmental protection in case of accidental release: do not allow product to reach sewage system or
any water course. Retain and dispose of contaminated wash water.

STATE AGENCY REVIEWThis substance has been registered under REACH (EC) No. 1907/2006.
Dimethyl carbonate is included in the OECD list of High Production Volume (HPV) chemicals.
Dimethyl carbonate is listed in the following Chemical Inventories: AICS, EINECS, IECSC, Canada DSL, KECI,ECNS, TSCA, PICCS, NZIoC.

REGULATORY INFORMATION/CLASSIFICATION AND LABELINGClassification of the substance according to REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008:
Flammable liquid:

Flammable liquid Category 2; H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapor.

Labeling according to REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008:
Pictogram:

Signal word: Danger
Hazard statements:

H225: Highly flammable liquid and vapor.

CONTACT INFORMATION WITHIN COMPANY
For further information on this substance or product safety summaries in general, please contact:
Company:
Department:
Address:
Town/Country:
Postal code:
E-mail:April 10th, 2012

UBE Chemical Europe, S.A
Corporate Social Responsibility
Poligono Industrial El Serrallo, s/nGrao de Castellon (Castellon), Spain
12100
sds.ube.eu@ube.es

Page 4

Product Safety Summary for Dimethyl Carbonate
Additional information can be found at:
http://www.ube.es
http://www.icca-chem.org/en/Home/ICCA-initiatives/global-product-strategy/

GLOSSARY
Acute toxicity
AICS
Biodegradation
Bioaccumulation
Canadian DSL
Carcinogenicity
CAS
Chronic toxicity
EINECS
ENCS
Flash point
Genotoxicity
GHS
HPV
Hydrolyze
IECSC
Intermediate
KECI
Monomer

Mutagenicity
NZIoC
PBT
Persistence
PICCS

April 10th, 2012

Harmful effect resulting from a single or shortterm exposure to a substance.
Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances.
Decomposition or breakdown of a substance undernatural conditions (actions of micro-organisms
etc).
Progressive accumulation in living organisms of achemical substance present in the environment.
Domestic Substances List of Canada.
Substance effects causing cancer.
Chemical Abstracts Service (division of theAmerican Chemical Society).
Harmful effect after repeated exposures or longterm exposure to a substance.
European Inventory of Existing Commercial
Chemical Substances
Existing Notified Chemical Substances (Japan).
The lowest temperature at which vapor of thesubstance may form an ignitable mixture with air.
Substance effect that causes damage to genes,
including mutagenicity and clastogenicity.
Globally Harmonized System of Classification andLabeling of Chemicals
High Production Volume Chemicals.
Undergo hydrolysis; decompose by reacting withwater.
Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances
Produced or Imported in China.
Substance that is manufactured for and consumed
in or used for chemical processing in order to betransformed into another substance.
Korean Existing Chemical Inventory.
Means a substance which is capable of forming
covalent bonds with a sequence of additional likeor unlike molecules under the conditions of therelevant polymer-forming reaction used for theparticular process.
Substance effect that cause mutation on genes.
New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals
Persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic chemical.
Refers to the length of time a compound stays in
the environment, once introduced.
Philippine Inventory of Chemicals and Chemical
Substances.

Page 5

Product Safety Summary for Dimethyl Carbonate
Risk Management Measures

REACH (EC) No. 1907/2006
REGULATION (EC) No 1272/2008
Reprotoxicity
Sensitizing
SedimentTSCA
Vapor pressurevPvB

Engineering controls, conditions and protective
equipment needed to be implemented to ensurethat the risks to human health and theenvironment are adequately controlled.
European Commission Regulation concerning theRegistration, Evaluation, Authorization andRestriction of Chemicals.
European Commission Regulation onClassification, Labeling and Packaging ofSubstances and Mixtures.
Including teratogenicity, embryotoxicity andharmful effects on fertility.
Allergenic.
Topsoil, sand and minerals washed from land into
water forming in the end a layer at the bottom ofrivers and sea.
Toxic Substance Control Act (USA).
A measure of a substance’s property to evaporate.
Very persistent, very bio-accumulative.

DATE OF ISSUE
April 2012

REVISION
Version 1.0

DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this paper is intended as advice only and whilst the information isprovided in utmost good faith and has been based on the best information currently available, is to berelied upon at the user’s own risk. No representations or warranties are made with regards to its
completeness or accuracy and no liability will be accepted by UBE Chemical Europe, S.A for damages of
any nature whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance on the information.

April 10th, 2012

Page 6