Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets
Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.
The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.
Diss Factsheets
Use of this information is subject to copyright laws and may require the permission of the owner of the information, as described in the ECHA Legal Notice.
EC number: 216-653-1 | CAS number: 1634-04-4
- Life Cycle description
- Uses advised against
- Endpoint summary
- Appearance / physical state / colour
- Melting point / freezing point
- Boiling point
- Density
- Particle size distribution (Granulometry)
- Vapour pressure
- Partition coefficient
- Water solubility
- Solubility in organic solvents / fat solubility
- Surface tension
- Flash point
- Auto flammability
- Flammability
- Explosiveness
- Oxidising properties
- Oxidation reduction potential
- Stability in organic solvents and identity of relevant degradation products
- Storage stability and reactivity towards container material
- Stability: thermal, sunlight, metals
- pH
- Dissociation constant
- Viscosity
- Additional physico-chemical information
- Additional physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials
- Nanomaterial agglomeration / aggregation
- Nanomaterial crystalline phase
- Nanomaterial crystallite and grain size
- Nanomaterial aspect ratio / shape
- Nanomaterial specific surface area
- Nanomaterial Zeta potential
- Nanomaterial surface chemistry
- Nanomaterial dustiness
- Nanomaterial porosity
- Nanomaterial pour density
- Nanomaterial photocatalytic activity
- Nanomaterial radical formation potential
- Nanomaterial catalytic activity
- Endpoint summary
- Stability
- Biodegradation
- Bioaccumulation
- Transport and distribution
- Environmental data
- Additional information on environmental fate and behaviour
- Ecotoxicological Summary
- Aquatic toxicity
- Endpoint summary
- Short-term toxicity to fish
- Long-term toxicity to fish
- Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
- Toxicity to aquatic plants other than algae
- Toxicity to microorganisms
- Endocrine disrupter testing in aquatic vertebrates – in vivo
- Toxicity to other aquatic organisms
- Sediment toxicity
- Terrestrial toxicity
- Biological effects monitoring
- Biotransformation and kinetics
- Additional ecotoxological information
- Toxicological Summary
- Toxicokinetics, metabolism and distribution
- Acute Toxicity
- Irritation / corrosion
- Sensitisation
- Repeated dose toxicity
- Genetic toxicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Toxicity to reproduction
- Specific investigations
- Exposure related observations in humans
- Toxic effects on livestock and pets
- Additional toxicological data
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Description of key information
Additional information
MTBE is a colourless mobile liquid with a characteristic terpene-like odor. It has a melting point of - 108.6 ˚C (Scholz et al., 1990) and a boiling point of 55.3 ºC (Scholz et al., 1990). The relative density of MTBE is 0.74 at 20 ˚C (Budavari, 1989). The vapour pressure of MTBE is 33000 Pa at 25 °C (Harlan Laboratories Ltd, 2009). The water solubility of MTBE is 41850 mg/l at 20 ˚C (Oil Products Research, 1997). The octanol/water partition coefficient (log Pow) is 1.06 (Hüls, 1989). The substance is not surface active; the surface tension of 1.07 g/l solution in water is 72.5 mN/m at 21.5 °C (SafePharm Laboratories, 2008). MTBE has a static viscosity of 0.464 mm²/s at 20 °C and 0.409 mm²/s (static) at 40 °C (SafePharm Laboratories, 2008).
The substance has a flash point of -28 °C (Scholz et al., 1990). Based on this value and a boiling point of 55.3 °C, MTBE should be classified as a Flammable Liquid Category 2 (H225) under the criteria of the CLP Regulation. The molecular structure of MTBE does not contain groups that indicate potential reactivity with water or pyrophoric properties. The auto-ignition temperature of MTBE is 460 °C ( Scholz et al., 1990). The substance is not expected to have explosive and oxidising properties.
The substance remains undissociated in water, as it does not contain chemical groups which can undergo dissociation. MTBE is a stable chemical and is not expected to show instability when mixed with typical organic solvents.
In accordance with column 2 of REACH Annex VII, a study on granulometry is not needed as MTBE is a liquid and used in a non solid or granular form.
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.