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Annex II Entry 664 CMR15/10/2010

Chloromethyl methyl ether

Chloromethyl methyl ether is listed in Annex II as a prohibited substance for cosmetic products placed on the EU market.

Prohibited substance— Annex II, EU Regulation 1223/2009
Entry: 664
CMR

Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 107-30-2
CAS 107-30-2PubChem CID 7864

Chloromethyl Methyl Ether

Chloromethyl methyl ether is an ether. ChEBI

IUPAC name
chloro(methoxy)methane
Molecular formula
C2H5ClO
Molecular weight
80.51 g/mol
Exact mass
80.0028925 Da
XLogP3
0.8
Topological polar surface area
9.2 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
0
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
1
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

Methane, chloromethoxy-Chlorodimethyl etherChloromethoxymethaneMethoxymethyl chlorideMethyl chloromethyl etherMethoxychloromethaneCMMEChlordimethylether
16 more reported names
DimethylchloroetherEther, chloromethyl methylEther, dimethyl chloroMonochlorodimethyl etherMethylchloromethyl etherMonochloromethyl methyl etherEther methylique monochloreRCRA waste number U046alpha,alpha-Dichlorodimethyl etherMethyl chloromethyl ether, anhydrous334G5B96VGNSC-21208chlorodimethyletherchloromethyl methyl methoxychloromethaneRefChem:125444203-480-1
External database identifiers

Evidence from additional scientific databases

EMBL-EBI ChEBI
Exact identifier matchCHEBI:82271

Chloromethyl methyl ether

Formula
C2H5ClO
Average mass
80.514 g/mol
Monoisotopic mass
80.00289 Da
Formal charge
0
  • ether — is a (CHEBI:25698)
  • ether — is a (CHEBI:25698)
Cross-references from this source
  • CAS: 107-30-2 — KEGG COMPOUND
  • MANUAL_X_REF: C19160 — KEGG COMPOUND
  • MANUAL_X_REF: HMDB0031332 — HMDB

Mapped by: Exact CAS cross-reference in the ChEBI compound record. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match7864

Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.

  • First Aid: Signs and Symptoms of Chloromethyl Methyl Ether Exposure: Acute exposure to chloromethyl methyl ether may produce severe irritation and burning of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Sore throat, fever, chills, dypsnea (difficulty breathing), chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary edema with productive cough may be noted.; Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to chloromethyl methyl ether may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.; Inhalation Exposure:; 1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to chloromethyl methyl ether.; 2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.; 3. Obtain aut Source: CAMEO Chemicals
  • ERG2024, Guide 131 (Methyl chloromethyl ether): General First Aid:; · Call 911 or emergency medical service.; · Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination.; · Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely.; · Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.; · If victim is not breathing:; -- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance.; -- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other device).; -- If no pulse detected or no respiratory medical device available, provide continuous compressions. Conduct a pulse check every two minutes or monitor for any signs of spontaneous respirations.; · Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.; · For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.; · In case of contact with substance, remove immediately by flushing skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.; · For severe burns, immediate medical attention is required.; · Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, Source: Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)
  • First Aid: (General first aid procedures); Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.; Skin: Soap wash immediately - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing, wash the skin with soap and water, and get medical attention promptly.; Breathing: Respiratory support; Swallow: Medical attention immediately - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. Source: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Signal: Danger Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H225: Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]; H302: Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H312: Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]; H332: Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]; H350: May cause cancer [Danger Carcinogenicity] Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P317, P318, P321, P330, P362+P364, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
  • Signal: Danger Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H225 (100%): Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]; H302+H312+H332 (84.4%): Harmful if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, oral; acute toxicity, dermal; acute toxicity, inhalation]; H302 (100%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H312 (100%): Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]; H319 (84.4%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H332 (100%): Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]; H350 (100%): May cause cancer [Danger Carcinogenicity] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P317, P318, P321, P330, P337+P317, P362+P364, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 45 reports by companies from 4 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Danger Source: NITE-CMC
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H225: Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]; H302: Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]; H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]; H318: Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H330: Fatal if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]; H341: Suspected of causing genetic defects [Warning Germ cell mutagenicity]; H350: May cause cancer [Danger Carcinogenicity]; H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure] Source: NITE-CMC
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P284, P301+P317, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P308+P316, P316, P317, P318, P320, P321, P330, P363, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H225: Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]; H301: Toxic if swallowed [Danger Acute toxicity, oral]; H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]; H318: Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H330: Fatal if inhaled [Danger Acute toxicity, inhalation]; H350: May cause cancer [Danger Carcinogenicity]; H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]; H373: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure] Source: NITE-CMC
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P260, P264, P264+P265, P270, P271, P280, P284, P301+P316, P301+P330+P331, P302+P361+P354, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P308+P316, P316, P317, P318, P319, P320, P321, P330, P363, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
  • Toxicity Summary: ... Based upon the lack of persistence of BCME /bis(chloromethyl) ether/ and CMME /chloromethyl methyl ether/ in the environment, average human exposure to these compounds is likely to be very low. ... General population exposure to BCME and CMME occurs where they are produced by the widespread burning of this synergist in mosquito coils. ...Quantitative information on the kinetics and metabolism ... in humans is not available. However, it is anticipated that although in vivo BCME and CMME would be rapidly hydrolyzed in tissues to formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride, and methanol, formaldehyde and hydrogen chloride, respectively, there should be alkylation activity. ... BCME and CMME are acutely toxic by inhalation or ingestion. ...During inhalation of BCME /in laboratory animal studies/, irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract were noted as well as necrotizing bronchitis. Skin application resulted in erythema and necrosis, and application to the eye resulted in corneal necrosis. Similar effects were noted after exposure to CMME. Increased mortality and tracheal hyperplasia were observed in rats and hamsters following multiple inhalation exposure to ... BCME ... Similar results Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Bioconcentration: Hydrolysis half-lives are sufficiently fast (hydrolysis occurs in pure water with a half-life <1 sec(1)) to preclude any possibility of bioconcentration in the food chain(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: The fate of chloromethyl methyl ether in moist soil is unknown. However, since it hydrolyzes so rapidly in pure water(1), it is expected to disappear rapidly from moist soil(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Chloromethyl methyl ether will hydrolyze instantaneously in water (half-life <1 sec)(1). Reaction products include methanol, formaldehyde, HCl, and chloromethylformate(1,2). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: Chloromethyl methyl ether will hydrolyze in humid air (half-life 3.5 min to 6.5 hr)(1,2). However, results suggest that the hydrolysis is surface catalyzed and therefore may not represent the true half-life in atmospheric room air or outside air(SRC). The half-life of chloromethyl methyl ether with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals has been determined to be approximately 7 days(3,SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record

Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.

Additional source coverage and match status
SourceResultChecked
EMBL-EBI ChEBIExact match2026-08-31
NIH PubChem PUG-ViewExact match2026-08-31

A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.

Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

Record details

Chemical name

Chloromethyl methyl ether

Regulatory information

Key data

Annex
Entry number
664

Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex II are shown as well.

Annex II 669
Nearby record in the same annex

Propiolactone

CAS: 57-57-8
EC: 200-340-1

What Annex II means for Chloromethyl methyl ether

Chloromethyl methyl ether is listed as a prohibited substance under Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and must not be intentionally added. Article 17 separately addresses unintended small quantities that are technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice and compatible with the Article 3 safety requirement.

Formulators must screen their ingredients and raw materials to ensure none contain this substance. Suppliers should provide documentation confirming absence when requested.

The page also surfaces 12 related annex records with overlapping identifiers, annex logic or naming patterns.

Compliance checklist

  • Verify this substance is absent from all raw materials and finished formulations.
  • Request absence confirmation or CoA from raw material suppliers.
  • Document the screening result in the Product Information File (PIF).
  • This substance has CMR classification. Review the CMR table above and verify current Annex II/III status before use.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Chloromethyl methyl ether is listed in Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and is prohibited as an intentionally added cosmetic ingredient. Article 17 provides a narrow exception for unintended small quantities that are technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice, provided the product remains safe under Article 3.

CAS 107-30-2 is the unique numerical identifier assigned to Chloromethyl methyl ether by the Chemical Abstracts Service. In cosmetic compliance work, the CAS number is used to cross-reference the substance across regulatory databases, raw material specifications and safety assessment reports. Multiple EU annex entries may share the same CAS number if the same substance appears under different conditions or in different annexes.

Chloromethyl methyl ether has a CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic) classification under EU CLP Regulation. Under Article 15 of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, CMR substances of category 1A or 1B are prohibited in cosmetics unless specifically permitted. Category 2 CMR substances may be used only if assessed safe by the SCCS. Always verify current annex status and any applicable derogations before use.

Use the INCI Checker tool on this site to paste your full ingredient list (INCI) and scan it against all Annex II–VI entries. The tool highlights any ingredients that match restricted, prohibited or allergen-flagged records. This is useful for rapid compliance screening of finished product formulas or raw material declarations.

Source note for Annex II record Chloromethyl methyl ether

This page summarizes one Annex II record for Chloromethyl methyl ether from public European Commission cosmetic materials and adds linked inventory or identifier matches when available.

Use this record page to review Annex II conditions for Chloromethyl methyl ether, but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.

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