Agent Name |
Dimethyl disulfide |
CAS Number |
624-92-0 |
Formula |
C2-H6-S2 |
Major Category |
Other Classes |
Synonyms |
2,3-Dithiabutane; Dimethyl disulfide; Dimethyldisulfide; Disulfide, dimethyl; Methyldisulfide; Methyldithiomethane; [ChemIDplus] Methyl disulfide; Dimethyl disulphide; MDS; Methyldithiomethane; DMDS; 2,3-Dithiabutane; Methyl disulphide; [CHEMINFO] |
Category |
Sulfur Compounds |
Description |
Colorless, oily liquid with a garlic-like odor; [CAMEO] Strong, nauseating odor; [CHEMINFO] |
Sources/Uses |
Used to as a chemical intermediate: [CAMEO] Released in Kraft pulping to make paper; Also used as a "gas well down hole process aid"; Proposed to replace methyl mercaptan as a jet fuel additive; [NTP] Occupational exposure also occurs at sewage treatment plants. It occurs naturally in many foods. [HSDB] Also used as a sulfiding agent in refineries, a solvent for sulfur, to reduce coke deposits in the petrochemical industry, an artificial flavoring agent, and a corrosion inhibitor; [CHEMINFO] |
Comments |
A mild skin irritant, dimethyl disulfide is toxic by inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion. Workers are warned by the nauseating odor, but those exposed to high concentrations may experience fatigue, dyspnea, and upper respiratory tract irritation. At lethal concentrations, animals suffer severe lung injury and paralysis of respiratory muscles. [CHEMINFO] |
Exposure Assessment |
Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
TLV (ACGIH) |
0.5 ppm |
Vapor Pressure |
28.7 mm Hg |
Odor Threshold Low |
0.00078 ppm |
Odor Threshold High |
0.0036 ppm |
Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 15.85 mg/m3/2H |
Explanatory Notes |
Odor threshold (detection) from CHEMINFO; |
Adverse Effects |
Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
Neurotoxin |
Other CNS Neurotoxin |
Links to Other NLM Databases |
|
|