1.1 Product Characteristics

Ethylbenzene (C₆H₅CH₂CH₃), also known as phenylethane or alpha-methyltoluene, under ambient condition is a colourless clear liquid with a sweet, gasoline-like odour.

Chemically, it is a monocyclic alkylaromatic compound with a molecular weight of 106.

It is miscible with most of the commonly used organic solvents in any ratio, but is only sparingly soluble in water (170 ppm under ambient conditions). Spilled ethylbenzene will float on water and partition strongly towards air. Due to its high evaporation rate, no significant environmental hazards are expected. For other typical parameters, please consult Appendix 1 of this brochure.

Being rather volatile and having a flash point of 19-23 °C, ethylbenzene is classified as a highly flammable substance, which in use may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixtures.

Short-term exposure to ethylbenzene in humans results in respiratory effects, such as throat irritation and lung constriction, irritation to the eyes, and neurological effects such as dizziness.

Ethylbenzene has a characteristic odour which can be detected at low concentrations (1-2.3 ppm).

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