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DIMETHYLZINC

4.2 - Spontaneously combustible 4.3 - Dangerous when wet
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 544-97-8
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Spontaneously Combustible
  • Dangerous When Wet
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none none
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Mobile liquid, with peculiar garlic odor.

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
  • Strong Reducing Agent
  • Water-Reactive
  • Pyrophoric
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Ignites in air and burns with a blue flame giving off a peculiar garlicky odor. Explodes in oxygen or ozone. Reacts violently with water to generate methane [Merck, 11th ed., 1989; Brauer(1965)]. Very slow oxidation with traces of air to give methylzinc methylate.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Smoke contains zinc oxide, which can irritate lungs and cause metal fume fever.

Behavior in Fire: Reacts spontaneously with air or oxygen and violently with water, evolving methane. Contact with water applied to adjacent fires will intensify fire. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Inhalation of mist or vapor causes immediate irritation of upper respiratory tract. Excessive or prolonged inhalation of fumes from ignition or decomposition may cause "metal fume fever" (sore throat, headache, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, muscular aches, perspiration, constricting sensation in lungs, weakness, sometimes prostration). Symptoms usually last 12-24 hrs. Eyes are immediately and severely irritated by liquid, vapor, or dilute solutions. If not removed by thorough flushing with water, chemical may permanently damage cornea. Skin will undergo thermal and acid burns when chemical reacts with moisture in skin. Unless washed quickly, skin may be scarred. Treat dilute solutions with same precautions as concentrated liquid. Ingestion, while unlikely, would cause immediate burns at site of contact. Nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea may follow. Tissues may ulcerate if not treated. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
DIMETHYLZINC is very reactive, acts as a strong reducing agent. Combines with acids, with alcohols (methanol, ethanol), and 2-2-dichloropropane as well as with water with explosive violence. When heated to decomposition emits toxic fumes of zinc oxide [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 354]. Oxidants may yield peroxide formation, which is explosive.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]:

DO NOT USE WATER, CO2 OR FOAM ON MATERIAL ITSELF. Some of these materials may react violently with water. CAUTION: For Xanthates, UN3342 and for Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite) UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, USE FLOODING AMOUNTS OF WATER for SMALL AND LARGE fires to stop the reaction. Smothering will not work for these materials, they do not need air to burn.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or DRY sand, EXCEPT for UN1384, UN1923, UN1929 and UN3342.

LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime EXCEPT for UN1384, UN1923, UN1929 and UN3342, or withdraw from area and let fire burn. CAUTION: UN3342 when flooded with water will continue to evolve flammable Carbon disulfide/Carbon disulphide vapors. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers or in contact with substance. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

SMALL SPILL: CAUTION: For spills of Xanthates, UN3342 and for Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite), UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, dissolve in 5 parts water and collect for proper disposal. CAUTION: UN3342 when flooded with water will continue to evolve flammable Carbon disulfide/Carbon disulphide vapors. Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Cartridge-type or fresh air mask for fumes or smoke; PVC fire- retardant or asbestos gloves; full face shield, safety glasses, or goggles; fire-retardant coveralls as standard wear; for special cases, use asbestos coat or rain suit. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
INHALATION: highly unlikely, as liquid or vapor either ignites spontaneously or reacts with moisture to form methane and zinc oxide. Move victim to clean air and administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if breathing has ceased; give oxygen only when authorized by physician; keep victim warm and comfortable; call physician immediately.

EYES: immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 min., holding eyelids apart to insure thorough irrigation; use oils or ointments only when directed by physician, and do not attempt to neutralize with chemicals; get medical attention as soon as possible.

SKIN: immediately flush affected area with large volumes of water; do not attempt to neutralize with chemicals; get medical attention if irritation persists.

INGESTION: highly unlikely, as liquid or vapor either ignites spontaneously or reacts with moisture to form methane and zinc oxide. Do NOT induce vomiting; immediately dilute material by giving large amounts of water or milk; if vomiting occurs, give more fluids; when vomiting ceases, milk or olive oil may be given for their soothing effect; get medical attention. (USCG, 1999)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • C2H6Zn
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: 0°F (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -44°F (USCG, 1999)
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.39 at 50.9°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: 113°F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 95.4 (USCG, 1999)
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

No PAC information available.

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Zinc Compounds N982 & 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • DIMETHYLZINC
  • METHYLZINC
  • ZINC DIMETHYL
  • ZINC METHYL

Version 3.0.0