Diethyl sulfate

The primary use of diethyl sulfate is as a chemical intermediate (ethylating agent) in synthesis of ethyl derivatives of phenols, amines, and thiols; as an accelerator in the sulfation of ethylene; and in some sulfonation processes. It is used to manufacture dyes, pigments, carbonless paper, and textiles. It is an intermediate in the indirect hydration (strong acid) process for the preparation of synthetic ethanol from ethylene. Smaller quantities are used in household products, cosmetics, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and laboratory reagents (IARC 1992, 1999, HSDB 2009). In 1966, it was used as a mutagen to create the Luther variety of barley (IARC 1974).
Diethyl sulfate is a colorless, oily liquid with a faint peppermint- like odor, which darkens with age (Budavari, 1996). It is miscible with alcohol and ether (O'Neil, 2006). At higher temperatures, DES rapidly decomposes into monoethyl sulfate and alcohol (NTP, 2011).