[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of diethyl carbonate, is diethyl carbonate toxic?

Properties of diethyl carbonate

basic nature

Diethyl carbonate (Diethyl Carbonate, DEC) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C5H10O3. It is a colorless transparent liquid with a faint odor. DEC has a molecular weight of 118.13, a boiling point of about 126°C, a melting point of -43°C, and a relative density of 0.975g/cm³. It has a low viscosity and high volatility at normal temperature and pressure.

Chemical Properties

Diethyl carbonate is relatively stable in chemical properties and is not easy to react with water, but it will hydrolyze to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide under alkaline conditions. It is a polar solvent, can dissolve a variety of organic and inorganic salts. DEC has good chemical compatibility with most plastics, rubber and other materials, and is not easy to cause corrosion or dissolution.

Diethyl carbonate use

Solvent Application

Because of its good solubility and low toxicity, diethyl carbonate is widely used in coatings, inks and adhesives industries, as a highly efficient solvent. In some cases, it can replace more toxic solvents, such as benzene, toluene and dichloromethane, and become an environmentally friendly solvent choice.

Lithium battery electrolyte

In the lithium-ion battery industry, diethyl carbonate is one of the important components of the electrolyte. Its low viscosity and high electrochemical stability make it an ideal solvent to help improve the conductivity and thermal stability of the battery, extend the battery life and improve its safety.

chemical intermediates

Diethyl carbonate is also an important chemical intermediate for the production of carbonate compounds and polycarbonates. It can participate in a variety of chemical reactions, such as ester exchange reaction, acylation reaction, etc., to generate a variety of organic compounds, such as pharmaceutical intermediates and pesticides.

Other uses

Diethyl carbonate is also used in the synthesis of fragrances, dyes and plastics industries. Its low toxicity and low irritation make it more and more used as a solvent or additive in cosmetics and personal care products.

Diethyl carbonate upstream and downstream raw materials

Upstream raw materials

The main upstream feedstocks for diethyl carbonate include ethanol, carbon dioxide and phosgene. Ethanol, as the basic raw material of organic chemical industry, reacts with carbon dioxide or phosgene to produce diethyl carbonate through esterification reaction. In recent years, with the development of green chemical technology, the process of using renewable resources to prepare ethanol and carbon dioxide has been widely concerned and applied, which helps to reduce production costs and environmental impact.

Downstream Products

The downstream products of diethyl carbonate include polycarbonate, pharmaceutical intermediates, lithium ion battery electrolyte, etc. Polycarbonate is an important engineering plastic, widely used in electronic appliances, automobiles, construction and medical fields. Pharmaceutical intermediates are used to synthesize a variety of drugs, such as anti-tumor drugs, antibacterial drugs and so on. Lithium-ion battery electrolyte is an important part of the new energy industry. With the rapid development of new energy vehicles and energy storage markets, the demand is also increasing.

Diethyl carbonate storage method

Storage conditions

Diethyl carbonate should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environment. The storage temperature should be controlled between 0-30°C to prevent the product from volatilizing at high temperature or crystallizing at low temperature. Storage containers shall be of a well-sealed corrosion-resistant material such as stainless steel, glass fiber reinforced plastic or high-density polyethylene to prevent hydrolysis in contact with moisture in the air.

Safety Precautions

Because diethyl carbonate has a certain degree of volatility and flammability, fire sources should be avoided during storage and use, and a good ventilation environment should be maintained. Operators should wear protective gloves and goggles to avoid direct contact with skin and eyes. Appropriate fire extinguishing equipment, such as dry powder fire extinguishers, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, etc. shall be provided to deal with sudden fires.

Regulatory requirements

In the transport and storage of diethyl carbonate, should follow the relevant hazardous chemicals regulations and standards, such as "dangerous chemicals safety management regulations" and "dangerous goods transport rules" and so on. The packaging, labeling and safety data sheets (SDS) of chemicals should be complete to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the information to provide effective guidance and assistance in emergency situations.

Conclusion

As an important organic chemical raw material, diethyl carbonate has broad application prospects and market demand. Its excellent physical and chemical properties make it widely used in many industries, including solvents, lithium battery electrolytes, chemical intermediates, etc. With the development of new energy and environmental protection industry, the market prospect of diethyl carbonate will be broader. Reasonable storage and safety management is still the key link to ensure its safe use, which requires enterprises to strictly abide by relevant laws and regulations and standards to ensure the safety in the process of production and use.