Diethyl sulfate

Diethyl sulfate is a highly toxic and likely carcinogenic chemical compound with formula (C2H5)2SO4. It occurs as a colorless, oily liquid with a faint peppermint odor and is corrosive. Diethyl sulfate is a highly toxic and likely carcinogenic chemical compound with formula (C2H5)2SO4. It occurs as a colorless, oily liquid with a faint peppermint odor and is corrosive. Diethyl sulfate is used as an alkylating agent to prepare ethyl derivatives of phenols, amines, and thiols. It is used to manufacture dyes and textiles. Diethyl sulfate is a strong alkylating agent which ethylates DNA and thus is genotoxic. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as of 1999 there is not sufficient evidence for the carcinogenic properties of diethyl sulfate in humans, but there is in animals. It is classified as a Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) carcinogen by the IARC. It can be prepared by absorbing ethylene into concentrated sulfuric acid or by fuming sulfuric acid into diethyl ether or ethanol.