Product Name: Tetraethyl Silicate
Synonyms: Tetraethoxysilane, Ethyl Silicate 40
CAS Number: 78-10-4
Recommended Use: Industrial manufacturing, coatings, crosslinking agent
Supplier Information: Manufacturer and emergency contact details as provided on product label
Emergency Phone: Local poison control or CHEMTREC
Classification: Flammable Liquid Category 3, Serious Eye Damage Category 2, Acute Toxicity (Oral, Inhalation, Dermal) Category 4, Skin Irritant Category 2
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, harmful if inhaled, harmful if swallowed, may cause respiratory irritation, flammable liquid and vapor
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, flames, avoid breathing vapors, use only outdoors or in well-ventilated area, wash hands after handling, wear eye protection and gloves
Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Symbols: Flame, Exclamation mark
Chemical Name: Tetraethyl Silicate
Concentration: 95-100%
Chemical Formula: Si(OC2H5)4
Impurities: May contain ethanol (<1%) as hydrolysis byproduct
Inhalation: Take the person to fresh air, seek medical help if symptoms such as coughing, headache, or drowsiness persist
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with plenty of soap and water, seek medical advice if irritation continues
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, remove contact lenses if present, seek prompt medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, never induce vomiting, consult a poison control center or doctor immediately
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation to eyes, skin, respiratory tract, stomach pain, dizziness
Protection for First Responders: Use appropriate personal protective equipment, provide adequate ventilation
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, alcohol-resistant foam
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jets may spread fire
Specific Hazards Arising: Incomplete combustion releases toxic fumes such as silicon oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Protective Equipment: Full protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus
Advice for Firefighters: Stay upwind, avoid inhaling fumes, prevent runoff from entering drains
Flash Point: 33°C (91°F) (Closed cup)
Autoignition Temperature: ~220°C (428°F)
Explosion Limits: Lower: ~1.3%, Upper: ~23% (in air for ethanol evolved during hydrolysis)
Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, avoid breathing vapors, stay upwind, use personal protective equipment including gloves, goggles, and respirators if needed
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry to sewers, basements, or confined spaces, contain spill with sand or inert absorbent
Methods for Cleanup: Absorb spill with non-combustible material (sand, earth), collect in containers for disposal, ventilate area, wash area with water after removal
Notification Procedures: Report spills as required by local, state, and national laws
Safe Handling: Use only in a chemical fume hood or well-ventilated area, avoid all contact with eyes and skin, ground containers when transferring liquid, keep away from ignition sources
Hygiene Practices: Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking during use, wash thoroughly after handling, keep contaminated clothing separately
Storage Requirements: Store tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from heat, sparks, flame, oxidizers, strong acids, and bases, use explosion-proof electrical equipment
Container Requirements: Use only appropriately labeled, corrosion-resistant containers, vent containers periodically to prevent pressure buildup
Storage Temperature: 5-30°C recommended for product stability
Exposure Limits: OSHA and ACGIH have not established specific limits for tetraethyl silicate; consult local regulations for guidance
Engineering Controls: Use mechanical ventilation, exhaust systems, and explosion-proof equipment
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), goggles or face shields, lab coats or chemically resistant aprons, NIOSH-approved respirator for high vapor concentrations
Additional Measures: Eyewash stations and emergency showers should be nearby, keep exposure to minimum by using closed systems
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Slightly fruity or ethanol-like
Boiling Point: 167°C (332°F)
Melting Point: -77°C (-107°F)
Vapor Pressure: 2.6 hPa at 20°C
Density: 0.93 g/cm³ at 20°C
Solubility in Water: Hydrolyzes, decomposes slowly
Solubility in Solvents: Miscible with organic solvents (alcohol, ether)
Viscosity: 0.82 mPa·s at 20°C
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): ~1.0
pH: Not applicable (hydrolyzes in water)
Evaporation Rate: Moderate compared to water
Decomposition Temperature: Above 200°C
Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, oxidizing agents, moisture
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Silicon dioxide, ethanol, carbon oxides
Polymerization: Does not polymerize
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, open flames, sparks, direct sunlight, humidity
Reactivity: Reacts slowly with water forming ethanol and silicon dioxide
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Effects: Eye and skin irritation, possible respiratory tract irritation, headaches, nausea, dizziness
Chronic Effects: Extended inhalation may impact central nervous system, repeated contact can dry or crack skin
Oral LD50 (rat): ~6270 mg/kg
Inhalation LC50 (rat): ~16.8 mg/L (4 hours)
Dermal LD50 (rabbit): >5000 mg/kg
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: Not expected to be mutagenic under normal conditions
Other Data: Hydrolysis product (ethanol) presents inhalation and ingestion hazard especially for sensitive groups
Aquatic Toxicity: Toxic to aquatic organisms, especially at high concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Hydrolyzes slowly forming silicon dioxide and ethanol, ethanol is biodegradable
Bioaccumulation: Expected to have low bioaccumulation potential
Mobility in Soil: High mobility in liquid form, hydrolyzed product less mobile
Additional Data: Ethanol intermediate may contribute to oxygen depletion in water bodies
Precautions: Prevent entry into soil, ditches, waterways, and drains
Waste Disposal Methods: Follow national, regional, and local regulations for hazardous chemical disposal, use incineration in permitted facility where possible
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers retain product residue, triple rinse then offer for recycling or disposal as hazardous waste
Precautions: Do not discharge into drain or water courses, prevent environmental release
Special Instructions: Consult with licensed waste disposal company for further guidance
United Nations Number (UN): UN1292
Proper Shipping Name: Tetraethyl silicate
Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquid)
Packing Group: III
Labels: Flammable liquid
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as marine pollutant per IMDG
Special Transport Precautions: Keep away from food and feedstuffs, transport in tightly sealed containers, follow all regulatory guidelines during transport, secure containers against movement
OSHA Hazards: Flammable liquid, irritant
TSCA: Listed
SARA 313: Not subject to reporting
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Listed
EU Regulation (REACH): Registered substance
WHMIS Classification (Canada): Class B2 (Flammable Liquid), Class D2B (Toxic Material)
Other Regulations: Follow workplace requirements for hazardous substances, review any state or local guidelines for specific requirements
