Diethyl carbonate appears as a colorless liquid with a mild pleasant odor. It is slightly less dense than water and insoluble in water. Hence floats on water. Flash point 77°F. Vapors are heavier than air. When heated to high temperatures it may emit acrid smoke. Used as a solvent.Diethyl carbonate is a carbonate ester.

Mainly used as an intermediate in organic synthesis and pharmaceutical synthesis. It can also be used as a solvent for resins, oils, nitrocellulose, cellulose ethers, etc.