Name: Dimethyl carbonate
Chemical Formula: C3H6O3
Synonyms: DMC
CAS Number: 616-38-6
Chemical manufacturers who work with dimethyl carbonate recognize its value as a solvent and methylating agent. Over decades of producing this compound, we have watched numerous industries rely on its versatility, moving from older, more hazardous chemicals to DMC for applications in electronics, paints, coatings, and lithium battery electrolytes. Recognizing the importance of precise identification, we have always committed to labeling clarity, from receiving raw material to filling customer drums.
GHS Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 2)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazards: Causes serious eye irritation; may cause drowsiness or dizziness; highly flammable liquid and vapor
Production staff, logistics teams, and users at our site have all faced risks associated with handling flammable organics. Dimethyl carbonate catches fire easily: open drums near static discharges can lead to flash fires. Smelling sharp vapors in tank areas reminds teams every day that DMC requires well-maintained ventilation and strict control of ignition sources.
Main Ingredient: Dimethyl carbonate (typically >99%)
Minor Impurities: Trace methanol, water, methyl carbonate esters (rarely exceed 1%)
Raw materials enter chemical reactors with purity thresholds closely monitored. Sometimes, residual moisture or unreacted methanol track through processing equipment. For reliable downstream quality, we push for consistent GC analysis and avoid shipping fresh material unless our qualification analytics confirm impurities sit well under regulatory action limits.
Inhalation: Move affected worker to fresh air, seek medical attention for symptoms like headache or dizziness
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing, flush skin with water for at least 15 minutes
Eye contact: Rinse with plenty of water, holding eyelids open, and seek immediate medical care
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek prompt medical care
We have built our emergency procedures on real accident history. Years ago, a minor spill led to an operator experiencing breathing issues; the site’s trained first responders moved him outside, started oxygen, and kept him calm until medical help arrived. Fast access to well-stocked eyewash stations and safety showers reduced the impact of another incident, teaching us to position these stations within unobstructed reach.
Suitable extinguishing agents: Dry chemical, CO2, foam
Hazards from combustion: Releases toxic gases including carbon monoxide, methyl esters, carbon dioxide
Protective equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus for responders, full protective gear
Chemical fires can move quickly through drum storage if not contained. We train our emergency teams to use proper fire-fighting media, never water jets. During a night shift, an electronic control shorted, igniting a pool of dimethyl carbonate; prompt attention from our trained team, using foam units and SCBA gear, kept damage minimal. It reminded us that regular training drills and maintenance of sprinkler systems go beyond compliance — they save lives and prevent environmental disasters.
Personal precautions: Wear chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, flame-retardant clothing, use respirators in enclosed areas
Environmental precautions: Prevent entry to drains, surface water, or soil
Cleanup methods: Use non-sparking tools to contain and collect spills, absorb residual liquid using inert material like vermiculite
Our production workshops are equipped to treat leaks with urgency. We enforce strict procedures that require remote shutdown valves and secondary containment dikes. Operations teams understand that breezing a cleanup risks groundwater contamination and vapor fire. Carefully rolled-out SOPs and spill kits minimize risk of environmental fines and workplace injury, giving every technician ownership over the safety culture.
Handling: Minimize vapor release, avoid open flames, static build-up, and rough handling of containers
Storage: Store in tightly closed, clearly labeled containers, in cool, ventilated, fire-rated rooms separated from strong acids, bases, and oxidizers
Routine tank and drum checks form part of our daily rhythm. Temperature spikes or sloppy stacking caused downtime and product losses in the past. We learned through costly tank repairs that corrosion rates go up with moisture exposure, and leaks in labeling or closure lead to misplaced drums. Transparent checklists and continual retraining reinforce smart behavior and careful teamwork.
Exposure limits: Dimethyl carbonate (TLV not officially established in many regions), internal safe limits recommended around 100 ppm
Engineering controls: Local exhaust ventilation, vapor detectors at process and filling points
Personal protective equipment: Nitrile/PVC gloves, chemical goggles, flame-resistant lab coats or overalls, suitable respiratory protection for vapor-prone areas
Long experience tells us that overreliance on PPE often signals deeper engineering problems. Upgrading vapor extraction and preventing over-pressurization through good plant design always trumps hoping workers wear their respirators for long shifts. Operational reviews and root-cause incident analysis in our facility keep us honest about finding permanent fixes before we trust short-term barriers.
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor: Mild, ester-like
Boiling point: About 90°C
Melting point: About 2°C
Flash point: 18°C (closed cup)
Density: Around 1.07 g/cm³
Solubility: Miscible with many organic solvents, limited solubility in water
Blending DMC for polymer and solvent markets shows up packaging challenges — clarity and fluidity make leaks hard to spot. Quick evaporation rate increases exposure concerns, so our filling lines and sampling stations rely on closed-system designs. Routine in-house testing certifies that each batch meets established spec, so downstream processors avoid variability in product properties.
Stability: Stable under ordinary conditions of storage and use
Materials to avoid: Strong acids, strong bases, powerful oxidizers, moisture for prolonged periods
Hazardous decomposition products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methanol with strong hydrolysis
Our plant has seen issues from process upsets and overblending; for example, trace acidic residues in a storage tank once triggered slow hydrolysis, causing by-product buildup and off-grade product. Vigilant maintenance, scheduled vessel cleaning, and raw material checks keep such risks low, saving reprocessing time and expensive waste disposal.
Acute toxicity: Low oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity in mammals under normal operating concentrations; higher doses trigger central nervous system effects and irritation
Irritation: Prolonged exposure causes eye and respiratory irritation, skin dryness or cracking
Sensitization: No definitive evidence from workplace monitoring
After decades of monitoring, manufacturing operators seldom report major health issues, provided they use the right controls and report minor leaks or symptoms early. Rarely, unprotected technicians reported headaches or eye stinging from poor ventilation in closed rooms. These experiences pressed our leadership to invest in continuous air monitoring and honest incident reporting, which better protects teams, fosters trust, and keeps insurance audits straightforward.
Environmental fate: Biodegradable, breaks down in air and water over time
Aquatic hazards: Large spills can harm aquatic life due to solvent action
Releasing organics to water is a red line in our factory compliance. While lab tests prove DMC breaks down comparatively rapidly, nobody wants responsibility for a fish kill if a transfer hose bursts near a ditch. Our plant maintains sealed handling zones, frequent wastewater checks, and external environmental audits. Relentless focus here not only avoids fines but also upholds trust with local communities who depend on safe water sources.
Methods: Incineration by licensed hazardous waste contractors; never dispose via drains, surface water, or simple landfill
Packaging: Triple-rinse drums, puncture before recycling or disposal
Chemical manufacturers see disposal as a non-negotiable line item. Cutting corners or mishandling end-of-life waste affects not just permit status but team morale and neighborhood confidence. Waste-handling partners who demonstrate real, trackable destruction of leftovers earn our repeat business year after year. Every load shipped for destruction gets audited, minimizing risk of future legal headaches and community blowback.
UN Number: 1161
Proper Shipping Name: Dimethyl carbonate
Hazard Class: 3 (flammable liquid)
Packing Group: II
Transporting flammable liquids calls for precision and reliability. Truck drivers and warehouse supervisors use temperature logs and tamper-evident seals religiously. Every lost drum or shifting load shows up in traffic reports, hurting reputation and insurance costs. Team training focuses on safe drum handling, spill response en route, and communication in case of incidents. Providing high-quality bulk and packaged goods means ensuring that transport partners respect our standards from loading dock to customer gate.
Key global regulations: Listed under several chemical inventories, including REACH (EU), TSCA (US), ENCS (Japan), and AICS (Australia)
Hazard labeling: Flammable liquid, health irritant; explicit labeling mandated by GHS frameworks
Our regulatory team watches changing guidelines across every country where product gets shipped. Getting caught out by a paperwork lapse means costly shipment delays and strained client relationships. Synching documentation with ever-updating online databases, regular revision of SDS sheets, and prompt incident notification keep us agile and trustworthy both locally and globally.
