Bis-2 chloroethyl ether manufacturer: Technical Guide to CAS 111-44-4, Quality, Applications and Supplier Selection
When sourcing a Bis-2 chloroethyl ether manufacturer, buyers need more than a product name and quoted price. The correct chemical identity, CAS number, purity, analytical controls, documentation, packaging, regulatory requirements and safe handling arrangements all matter. Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether, also known as 2,2′-dichlorodiethyl ether, is a chlorinated ether with CAS No. 111-44-4 and molecular formula C₄H₈Cl₂O. Because it presents significant health and transport hazards, responsible sourcing requires documented quality and safety controls rather than price-based supplier selection alone.
This guide explains what buyers, procurement teams, technical professionals and chemical users should evaluate when assessing the substance and selecting a qualified supplier.
Quick answer: Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether is a chlorinated ether identified by CAS No. 111-44-4, molecular formula C₄H₈Cl₂O and molecular weight approximately 143.01 g/mol. A qualified supplier should be able to provide consistent specifications, batch-level analytical documentation, an appropriate SDS, compliant packaging and traceability.
Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether at a glance
Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether is an organic compound containing an ether linkage between two 2-chloroethyl groups. NIST identifies its molecular formula as C₄H₈Cl₂O and molecular weight as 143.012, while PubChem identifies CAS No. 111-44-4 and the same molecular formula.
| Property | Information |
| Chemical name | Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether |
| Common synonym | 2,2′-Dichlorodiethyl ether |
| CAS No. | 111-44-4 |
| EC No. | 203-870-1 |
| Molecular formula | C₄H₈Cl₂O |
| Molecular weight | Approx. 143.01 g/mol |
| Chemical class | Chlorinated ether |
| Physical form | Liquid |
| Appearance | Typically colourless to pale yellow/clear liquid |
| UN number | UN 1916 |
| Key analytical consideration | GC assay and identity testing |
| Safety documentation | SDS and applicable transport documentation |
The exact commercial specification should always be confirmed against the supplier’s current specification sheet and certificate of analysis (COA), rather than inferred from a general database.
Chemical identity and nomenclature
One of the first sourcing problems is terminology. The same substance can appear under several names in databases, technical documents and supplier catalogues.
Common names include:
- Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether
- 2,2′-Dichlorodiethyl ether
- 2-Chloroethyl ether
- Dichloroethyl ether
- Di(2-chloroethyl) ether
- BCEE
- DCEE
NIST lists multiple synonyms alongside CAS No. 111-44-4, while EPA’s IRIS database also identifies BCEE and several related names.
For procurement and technical communication, CAS No. 111-44-4 should be treated as the key identity reference. This reduces the risk of confusing the material with other chlorinated ethers that have different chemical identities and hazard profiles.
Why the CAS number matters
A supplier quotation that only says “chloroethyl ether” is not sufficiently precise for technical procurement.
The purchase specification should normally identify:
- Chemical name
- CAS number
- Required grade
- Minimum assay/purity
- Key impurity limits
- Required analytical method
- Packaging requirements
- Documentation requirements
- Intended application, where relevant
- Applicable regulatory and transport requirements
This approach creates a clear technical basis for comparing suppliers.
Physical and chemical properties
Published data provide a useful baseline for evaluating incoming material.
NIOSH describes the substance as a colourless liquid with a chlorinated-solvent-like odour. Its molecular weight is approximately 143.0, boiling point is approximately 352°F (about 178°C), specific gravity is approximately 1.22 and flash point is approximately 131°F (about 55°C).
Commercial laboratory specifications can provide additional analytical reference points. For example, published specifications for research-grade material include assay of at least 99.0% by GC, density around 1.218–1.219 g/cm³ at 20°C, and identity confirmation by IR. These figures should be treated as examples of a particular commercial grade, not as a universal industrial specification.
Important specification principle
A buyer should never assume that a catalogue specification automatically represents the specification required for an industrial process.
For example, a research-grade product may be sold at ≥99.0% assay, while an industrial customer may require a different purity level, impurity profile, packaging configuration or testing protocol.
A good supplier should therefore discuss the customer’s application and quality requirements before confirming the final specification.
Manufacturing considerations for Bis-2 chloroethyl ether manufacturer selection
Manufacturing capability should be evaluated through the lens of process control, product consistency and safety, rather than simply whether a supplier describes itself as a manufacturer.
Historical chemical references describe several routes associated with the production of bis(2-chloroethyl) ether. However, because this substance has significant toxicity and occupational-health concerns, a responsible technical resource should focus on manufacturing controls rather than provide an operational synthesis procedure. PubChem’s compiled technical record contains historical manufacturing information, while current commercial suppliers demonstrate that the substance can be produced and supplied as a defined chemical grade.
When evaluating a producer, ask about:
1. Raw-material control
A controlled manufacturing system begins with qualified raw materials.
Important controls can include:
- Incoming raw-material identity verification
- Supplier qualification
- Defined acceptance criteria
- Batch traceability
- Contamination controls
- Storage compatibility
- Documented material status
2. Process control
For a hazardous chlorinated ether, process control should address both product quality and worker protection.
A technically mature facility should have appropriate controls covering:
- Closed or controlled processing where appropriate
- Ventilation and exposure control
- Temperature and process monitoring
- Containment
- Emergency response
- Process deviation management
- Batch documentation
- Waste and emission controls
3. Purification and quality consistency
The final product should meet an agreed specification consistently from batch to batch.
Depending on the customer’s requirements, analytical testing may include GC assay, identity testing and physical-property measurements.
4. Batch traceability
Each shipment should be traceable to a manufacturing batch.
A professional documentation package should allow the customer to connect the supplied container to:
- Batch number
- Manufacturing date or relevant production reference
- COA
- SDS
- Specification
- Packaging details
- Shipment documentation
Quality specifications buyers should request
A reliable Bis-2 chloroethyl ether manufacturer should be able to explain how product quality is defined and demonstrated.
The most useful document is generally the Certificate of Analysis (COA) for the actual supplied batch.
A typical technical specification may include:
| Parameter | Example requirement / approach |
| Appearance | Clear, colourless to pale liquid, as specified |
| Assay | Customer-defined minimum, commonly verified by GC |
| Identity | IR and/or chromatographic confirmation |
| Density | Defined specification where relevant |
| Water | Customer-defined limit where applicable |
| Relevant impurities | Application-specific limits |
| Batch number | Mandatory for traceability |
| Test method | Defined analytical method |
| Retest/review information | As applicable |
The values above should not be treated as a universal product specification. Published commercial products illustrate that ≥99.0% GC assay is available for certain grades, but the correct specification depends on the customer’s application.
Need a technical specification or bulk quotation? Send your required purity, quantity, packaging and application requirements to the technical sales team.
Applications and industrial relevance
Historical and database sources associate bis(2-chloroethyl) ether with several industrial uses, including use as a solvent, chemical intermediate, cleaning agent, corrosion inhibitor and in certain pesticide-related applications. PubChem’s compiled records identify these use categories, while IARC notes historical use as a solvent, chemical intermediate and soil fumigant.
However, historical use should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that every application remains commercially relevant or permitted in every jurisdiction.
For this reason, industrial users should evaluate:
- Current regulatory status
- Intended use
- Customer-specific restrictions
- Workplace exposure requirements
- Transportation requirements
- Waste-disposal requirements
- Applicable local legislation
This distinction is particularly important when evaluating legacy chemical applications.
Safety, occupational exposure and regulatory considerations
Safety is a central part of supplier qualification for this substance.
NIOSH identifies an immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) concentration of 100 ppm and lists an occupational exposure recommendation of 5 ppm TWA and 10 ppm STEL with a skin notation. NIOSH also identifies the substance as a potential occupational carcinogen under the cited OSHA carcinogen policy.
The International Chemical Safety Card identifies the material as flammable and warns that irritating or toxic fumes may be produced during fire conditions. It also identifies UN 1916 for transport.
Commercial safety classifications can be stringent. For example, published supplier information identifies acute toxicity classifications and a carcinogenicity classification for certain regulatory jurisdictions.
Carcinogenicity information requires careful interpretation
Different authoritative systems may use different classification frameworks.
The U.S. EPA IRIS assessment describes bis(chloroethyl)ether using its historical B2 framework as a probable human carcinogen based on animal evidence.
IARC’s classification list identifies bis(2-chloroethyl)ether as Group 3, meaning it is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans under the IARC evaluation.
These statements are not contradictory when understood in context: they reflect different assessment systems, evidence bases and classification frameworks.
For workplace and product safety decisions, users should rely on the applicable current SDS, jurisdictional requirements and competent occupational-health professionals rather than attempting to interpret one classification in isolation.
Packaging, storage and transportation
Packaging is not simply a logistics issue for this material. It is part of the overall chemical-control system.
A supplier should establish packaging that is compatible with the substance and appropriate for the intended transport mode and quantity.
The shipping documentation should be checked against the current applicable dangerous-goods requirements. TCI identifies UN 1916 and transport classifications including Class 6.1 with a subsidiary Class 3 risk and Packing Group II for its listed product.
Storage controls should be based on the current SDS and applicable regulations. International chemical-safety guidance emphasizes ventilation, preventing ignition sources and keeping containers appropriately closed.
CTA: Before placing a bulk order, ask for the latest SDS, packaging specification and transport classification applicable to your destination.
How to evaluate a Bis-2 chloroethyl ether manufacturer
Supplier selection should be based on a structured technical and commercial evaluation.
Supplier qualification checklist
| Evaluation area | Questions to ask |
| Identity | Does the supplier clearly identify CAS 111-44-4? |
| Purity | What assay specification is guaranteed? |
| Testing | Is GC used for assay where appropriate? |
| Identity | Is identity independently confirmed? |
| COA | Is a batch-specific COA supplied? |
| SDS | Is a current SDS available? |
| Traceability | Can every shipment be linked to a batch? |
| Manufacturing | Is the supplier the actual producer or a distributor? |
| Quality system | What quality-management controls are implemented? |
| Packaging | Is packaging suitable for the chemical and shipment? |
| Regulatory | Can the supplier support destination-market requirements? |
| Supply | What are MOQ, lead time and production capacity? |
| Technical support | Can the supplier address specification and application questions? |
| Logistics | Can the supplier provide appropriate dangerous-goods documentation? |
| Change control | Are customers informed about significant specification or process changes? |
The strongest supplier relationship is one where quality, safety, documentation and supply reliability are treated as one system.
Manufacturer vs. distributor: why the distinction matters
A distributor can be an appropriate source, particularly for laboratory quantities or geographically complex supply chains. However, buyers should understand who actually manufactures the material.
A manufacturer may be able to provide deeper information about:
- Manufacturing controls
- Process consistency
- Custom specifications
- Scale-up
- Bulk supply
- Change control
- Batch traceability
- Technical troubleshooting
A distributor may provide advantages in:
- Local inventory
- Smaller quantities
- Faster delivery
- Consolidated procurement
- Regional logistics
Neither model should automatically be treated as superior. The appropriate source depends on the customer’s volume, technical requirements, regulatory obligations and supply-chain strategy.
Case study framework: qualifying a specialty chemical supplier
Consider a procurement team sourcing a chlorinated specialty chemical for an industrial application.
The initial supplier comparison may show three suppliers with similar prices. A deeper technical review could reveal differences in:
- Assay guarantee
- Impurity controls
- COA detail
- Batch traceability
- SDS quality
- Packaging
- Lead time
- Change-control procedures
- Regulatory documentation
- Technical support
The procurement decision therefore should not be reduced to the lowest quoted price.
A structured supplier scorecard can separate technical qualification, EHS qualification, commercial qualification and supply-chain qualification. This approach is especially useful for hazardous specialty chemicals where a quality or documentation failure can create significantly greater downstream costs than the original purchase-price difference.
Recommended internal link: Link this section to your site’s relevant chemical-quality case study or supplier qualification case study.
Frequently asked questions
What is bis(2-chloroethyl) ether?
Bis(2-chloroethyl) ether is a chlorinated ether with CAS No. 111-44-4 and molecular formula C₄H₈Cl₂O. It is also known as 2,2′-dichlorodiethyl ether.
What is the CAS number of bis(2-chloroethyl) ether?
The CAS number is 111-44-4. The substance is also associated with EC No. 203-870-1.
What is the molecular weight?
The molecular weight is approximately 143.01 g/mol. NIST reports 143.012 g/mol.
Is bis(2-chloroethyl) ether hazardous?
Yes. Authoritative sources identify significant acute toxicity and occupational-health hazards. NIOSH provides exposure guidance and an IDLH value, while international chemical-safety guidance provides precautions for fire, exposure and handling.
What documents should I request from a supplier?
At minimum, buyers should consider requesting the current SDS, batch-specific COA, product specification and appropriate transport documentation. Additional regulatory documentation may be required depending on the destination country and intended use.
What purity is available?
Commercial grades vary. Published laboratory products include specifications of ≥99.0% by GC, but industrial buyers should establish the required purity and impurity profile according to their application rather than assuming a catalogue specification is universally appropriate.
Is bis(2-chloroethyl) ether the same as 2,2′-dichlorodiethyl ether?
Yes. 2,2′-dichlorodiethyl ether is a commonly listed synonym for bis(2-chloroethyl) ether.
How do I select the right supplier?
Evaluate chemical identity, specification, analytical testing, batch traceability, SDS, packaging, regulatory support, manufacturing capability, lead time and technical support together. The lowest price alone does not establish technical suitability.
Why documentation matters as much as purity
For specialty and hazardous chemicals, a high assay value is only one part of product quality.
A technically reliable supply chain should connect:
Identity → Specification → Testing → COA → Batch → Packaging → SDS → Transport → Traceability
This chain gives the customer confidence that the material received is the material that was specified and tested.
For recurring procurement, buyers should also consider supplier change-control procedures. A change in raw material, manufacturing route, production site, analytical method or specification can potentially affect product performance and regulatory documentation.
That is why long-term chemical procurement should be managed as a technical supply relationship, not simply a transactional purchase.
A practical buyer’s checklist
Before approving a supplier, confirm:
- Correct chemical identity
- CAS No. 111-44-4
- Agreed purity specification
- Defined impurity limits
- Batch-specific COA
- Current SDS
- Suitable packaging
- Appropriate transport classification
- Batch traceability
- Regulatory documentation
- Manufacturing or supply-chain transparency
- Quality-management controls
- Defined lead time
- Technical contact
- Change-control process
- Emergency-response information
This checklist can also be converted into a downloadable Chemical Supplier Qualification Template as a lead-generation asset.
Final takeaway
Selecting a supplier for bis(2-chloroethyl) ether requires more than finding a company that lists CAS 111-44-4. The technically relevant questions are whether the supplier can consistently meet the required specification, demonstrate batch quality, provide appropriate documentation, maintain traceability and support the applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
For buyers searching for a Bis-2 chloroethyl ether manufacturer, the strongest evaluation framework is therefore built around identity, purity, analytical verification, documentation, safety, traceability and supply reliability.
A supplier that can clearly demonstrate these elements provides a stronger technical foundation for long-term procurement.
Looking for a reliable source of CAS 111-44-4? Submit your required purity, quantity, packaging and destination details to discuss technical requirements and supply options.
Sources: PubChem
NIST WebBook
Sigma-Aldrich
