Bromoethane

Description

Ethyl bromide is a colorless to yellow liquid that becomes a gas at temperatures above 101 °F (38 ℃). Ethyl bromide has an etherlike odor and a burning taste. Ethyl bromide is miscible with alcohols, ether, chloroform, and organic solvents; its water solubility is 9000 mg l-1 at 25 ℃. Ethyl bromide’s vapor density relative to air is 3.76.

Physical properties

Clear, colorless to yellow, volatile liquid with an ether-like odor. Odor threshold concentration is 3.1 ppm (quoted, Amoore and Hautala, 1983).

The Uses of Bromoethane

Bromoethane is an alkylating agent primarily used as a chemical intermediate in organic synthesis, in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, and for the ethylation of gasoline. To a lesser extent, it has been used as a fruit and grain fumigant, refrigerant, and solvent. Although proposed occasionally as a general anesthetic in the earlier part of this century, it has not been used to any extent for this purpose (Sayers et al., 1929; Abreu et al., 1939; ITII, 1979; Sittig, 1979; Torkelson and Rowe, 1981;Merck, 1983).

Definition

ChEBI: Bromoethane is a bromoalkane that is ethane carrying a bromo substituent. It is an alkylating agent used as a chemical intermediate in various organic syntheses. It has a role as a carcinogenic agent, a solvent, a refrigerant, a local anaesthetic and an alkylating agent. It is a bromoalkane, a bromohydrocarbon and a volatile organic compound.

Preparation

Bromoethane was first synthesized in France in 1827 by Serullas from alcohol and bromine reacted with phosphorus. It can be produced commercially by the following methods: reaction of ethanol with hydrogen bromide; distillation of a mixture of hydrogen bromide, ethanol and sulfuric acid; reaction of ethanol with phosphorus and bromine; reaction of ethane with sulfur trioxide and potassium bromide at 300–325 °C; and reaction of ethylene with hydrogen bromide initiated by gamma radiation.

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contactsthe skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove fromexposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing hasstopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transferpromptly to a medical facility. When this chemical hasbeen swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit

Carcinogenicity

Bromoethane was tested for carcinogenicity in a two-year study in male and female Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice by inhalation. In male rats, there was a significant increase in the incidence of adrenal phaeochromocytomas, which was not dose-related. A marginal increase in the incidence of uncommon brain tumours occurred in treated females. In mice, bromoethane induced neoplasms of the uterine endometrium; a marginal increase in the incidence of lung tumours was observed in males. In a screening study by intraperitoneal injection, bromoethane did not increase the incidence of lung tumours in strain A mice.

Storage

Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard/Poison: Storein a secure poison location. Prior to working with thischemical you should be trained on its proper handling andstorage. Before entering confined space where this chemicalmay be present, check to make sure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Store in an explosion-proof refrigerator under an inert atmosphere and protect from light.Keep away from incompatible materials listed above.Where possible, automatically pump liquid from drums orother storage containers to process containers

Toxicity evaluation

Ethyl bromide is an irritant to mucous membranes, is a central nervous system depressant, and causes histopathological changes in the liver, renal tissue, and heart.