Material Safety Data Sheet: Ethylenediamine (EDA)

Identification

Chemical Name: Ethylenediamine
Synonyms: 1,2-Diaminoethane, EDA
CAS Number: 107-15-3
Recommended Use: Intermediate for chemical synthesis, production of chelating agents, pharmaceuticals, resins, rubber accelerators
Manufacturer: Industrial chemical suppliers, details available from purchasing documents
Contact Information: Emergency phone numbers are commonly printed on supplier invoice and container label for direct access
Relevant Restrictions: For professional use in designated facilities. Not for consumer use outside of licensed laboratories or manufacturing

Hazard Identification

Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 3), Acute toxicity—oral, dermal, inhalation (Category 4), Skin corrosion (Category 1B), Serious eye damage (Category 1), Respiratory sensitizer (Category 1), Skin sensitizer (Category 1)
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and serious eye damage, may cause allergic skin and respiratory reactions, harmful if swallowed, harmful if inhaled
Pictograms: Corrosive, Exclamation Mark, Health Hazard, Flame
Signal Word: Danger
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Potential Health Effects: Inhalation or skin contact can trigger asthma-like symptoms or blistering, chronic exposure links to sensitization and persistent respiratory problems

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical: Ethylenediamine
Concentration: 99–100%
Impurities: Trace water, amines in lower concentrations, unspecified by-product residues below 1%
Chemical Formula: C2H8N2
Molecular Weight: 60.10 g/mol

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move person to fresh air at once, keep them calm, support breathing with oxygen if available. Seek medical attention for symptoms like coughing, dizziness, or difficulty breathing
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush skin with running water for at least 15 minutes. Do not delay—prompt medical action limits burns and long-term injury
Eye Contact: Immediately rinse eyes with water, holding eyelids apart, for a minimum of 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Always get medical evaluation for corroded eyes
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water if the person is conscious. Seek medical care, as ingestion can lead to corrosive injury and systemic toxicity
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation, burning pain, severe tissue damage, allergic reactions, respiratory discomfort

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide, water spray for large fires
Hazards from Combustion: Releases nasty fumes: nitrogen oxides, ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Precautions for Firefighters: Wear full body protective gear including self-contained breathing apparatus. EDA vapors heavier than air, so stay out of low areas
Special Procedures: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, cool exposed containers with water, avoid inhaling vapors
Flash Point: 38°C (100°F) closed cup
Explosion Limits: Lower explosive limit 2.7%, upper explosive limit 16% in air

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate non-essential workers, ventilate area, use suitable PPE including gloves, goggles, and respiratory protection
Environmental Protection: Prevent runoff into drains, sewers, and natural water sources as EDA is toxic to aquatic organisms
Methods for Spills: Contain leaks with inert absorbent materials (sand, vermiculite), collect in sealable containers for disposal
Decontamination: Wash area with large amounts of water after cleanup, ventilate thoroughly before return to service
Emergency Procedures: Call local hazardous response team as uncontrolled exposure or cleanup exceeds typical site abilities

Handling and Storage

Handling: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing—transfer only in suitable, well-ventilated locations. Do not inhale vapors. Use explosion-proof equipment, ground containers when transferring liquid
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands immediately after use, remove protective gear and wash contaminated clothing before reuse
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed drum or bottle made of glass, stainless steel, or compatible polyethylene. Keep away from heat, sparks, and ignition sources
Storage Temperature: Keep below 30°C if possible, ideally in dedicated chemical storage rooms with spill containment features
Incompatible Materials: Acids, oxidizers, copper, zinc, aluminum, halogens—risk of fire, violent reaction, and formation of hazardous byproducts

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Limits: OSHA PEL and ACGIH TLV: 10 ppm (25 mg/m3) 8-hr TWA
Monitoring: Regular air monitoring in areas where EDA is handled, especially in confined spaces
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hoods, explosion-proof ventilation equipment. Emergency showers and eyewash stations required nearby
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), splash goggles, face shield, full body suit if large quantities handled
Respiratory Protection: Organic vapor-respirator or SCBA for high concentrations, or during large spill containment

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor: Ammonia-like, pungent
Boiling Point: 116°C (241°F)
Melting Point: 8.5°C (47.3°F)
Vapor Pressure: 11 mmHg at 20°C
Solubility: Completely soluble in water, alcohol, ether
pH: Strongly alkaline when diluted
Density: 0.899 g/cm3 at 20°C
Viscosity: 1.0 mPa·s at 20°C
Explosion Properties: Forms explosive mixtures, even at ambient condition with air
Partition Coefficient (Log Kow): -2.04

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Maintains stability under normal or recommended handling and storage. High temperatures or contamination may trigger decomposition
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, flames, incompatible chemicals, confined areas without ventilation
Hazardous Reactions: Violent reaction possible with acids, strong oxidizers, and reactive metals. Polymerization occurs if mixed with acrylates or other reactive double bonds
Decomposition Products: Toxic vapors of nitrogen oxides, ammonia, carbon monoxide
Materials to Avoid: Acid chlorides, copper compounds, zinc, halogens, inorganic acids

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD50 Oral (rat): 970 mg/kg, LD50 Dermal (rabbit): 560 mg/kg
Inhalation Effects: Breathing vapors triggers coughing, throat pain, risk for acute lung injury
Skin Effects: Direct contact causes severe burns, redness, and blistering
Eye Effects: Severe irritation, burns to cornea, possible vision loss
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may sensitize, triggering asthma-like symptoms on future exposures
Carcinogenicity: Evidence in animals inconclusive, not classified as human carcinogen
Mutagenicity: Data show no known gene mutations in short-term tests
Reproductive Effects: Insufficient evidence for teratogenicity in humans

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Fish (Pimephales promelas) LC50 136 mg/L, 96 hr; water flea EC50 495 mg/L, 48 hr
Persistence: Biodegradable by environmental bacteria over 10–30 days, though acute aquatic effects remain high
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low Log Kow, so minimal risk to food web biomagnification
Soil Mobility: High, mixes with groundwater and travels easily
Other Adverse Effects: High local concentrations in spill events cause fish kills; changes water pH

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Incinerate in licensed hazardous waste facility; do not pour into drains or mix with household trash
Contaminated Packaging: Triple rinse and dispose of as hazardous waste
Special Instructions: Neutralize with dilute acid in controlled setting, monitor local regulations
Restrictions: Never discharge to sewers, surface water, or uncontaminated ground

Transport Information

UN Number: UN1604
UN Proper Shipping Name: Ethylenediamine, solution or Ethylenediamine
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)
Packing Group: I (high danger)
Labeling Requirements: Corrosive (class 8) diamond. Include flammable pictograms if transported by air or sea
Special Transport Measures: Segregate from acids, oxidizers, and foodstuffs
Environmental Hazards: Listed as marine pollutant for some carriers
Emergency Guide Number: 132

Regulatory Information

Safety, Health, Environmental Regulations: OSHA hazard: Yes; SARA Title III—Section 313 listed; TSCA Inventory: Yes
European Union: Classified as dangerous under EU directives, REACH registered
State and Local Rules: States like California have specific worker safety and air quality rules; EDA subject to workplace exposure monitoring
Label Requirements: Corrosive—causes burns; Flammable liquid; Sensitizer
Restrictions: Regulated for transport, storage, and disposal as hazardous chemical, mandatory employee training required in workplaces using EDA