Functional Roles
Industries Served
Physical Properties
physical_description
Ethyl silicate appears as a clear colorless liquid with a faint odor. Flash point 125 u00b0F. Less dense than water. Vapors are heavier than air.
color/form
Colorless liquid
odor
Sharp alcohol-like odor
boiling_point
336 u00b0F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)
melting_point
-121.9 u00b0F (USCG, 1999)
flash_point
125 u00b0F (52 u00b0C) (Open cup)
solubility
Solubility in water: slowly hydrolyzes
density
0.933 at 68 u00b0F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float
vapor_density
Relative vapor density (air = 1): 7.22
vapor_pressure
Vapor pressure, Pa at 20 u00b0C: 200
decomposition
When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes.
viscosity
0.6 cP at 25 u00b0C
surface_tension
22.8 DYNES/CM = 0.0228 N/M AT 20 u00b0C
ionization_potential
9.77 eV
odor_threshold
Water: decomposes in water; air: 17 uL/L; odor safety class D; D = 10-50% of distracted persons can detect TLV concn in the air.
refractive_index
Index of refraction: 1.3818 atT 25 u00b0C/D
kovats_retention_index
850
other_experimental_properties
Without special precautions, tetraethoxysilane hydrolyzes to a gel in about 10 days
GHS / SDS Safety
Warning
Irritant
Health Hazard
Flammable
- H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]
- H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]
- H226: Flammable liquid and vapor [Warning Flammable liquids]
- H226 (> 99.9%): Flammable liquid and vapor [Warning Flammable liquids]
- H332 (> 99.9%): Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]
- H319 (> 99.9%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
- H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Narcotic effects]
- H373: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]
- H332: Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H335 (94%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]
- H320: Causes eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
- H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]
- H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
Chemical Identity
| CAS Number | 78-10-4 |
| IUPAC Name | tetraethyl silicate |
| InChI Key | BOTDANWDWHJENH-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| PubChem CID | 6517 |
| INCI Name | TETRAETHYL ORTHOSILICATE |
Synonyms & Trade Names
Full Description
Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) is an organosilicon compound that functions as a coupling agent and crosslinking/curing additive in industrial formulations. This specialty chemical serves critical roles in agriculture, coatings & construction, and industrial manufacturing applications where silicate chemistry is required. TEOS hydrolyzes slowly in water and exhibits a flash point of 125°F, making proper handling procedures essential during storage and processing.