beerwiz - 14-2-2014 at 06:29
I'm working on a methylating reaction using dimethyl sulfate at low temps (15-16 C) for the first time and want to know how to handle it safely. The
fumes are said to be very toxic if not fatal. I don't have a fume hood and it will be done indoors. I'd appreciate any and all tips to avoid any
health issues.
chemrox - 14-2-2014 at 15:01
The usual safety setup; fume hood or outside, nitrile gloves and if you don't have a hood wear haz-mat mask
They're called, "respirators" btw.
[Edited on 14-2-2014 by chemrox]
ScienceSquirrel - 14-2-2014 at 16:33
I have carried out a number of methylations with dimethyl sulphate in a fume hood and using nitrile gloves.
Keep it cool and avoid all possibility of spills and you should be OK.
I have never smelt it but supposedly it has an odour of peppermint.
I think that you can use aqueous ammonia to deal with any spills.
During WW1 British chemists used to analyse German mustard gas for purity by distillation on the bench.
Dimethyl sulphate is a big pussy compared with mustard gas!