Dimethyl sulfate is a colorless or slightly yellow oily liquid with a slight onion odor and is flammable. Its molecular weight is 126.14, the relative density is 1.3322 at 20 ℃/4 ℃, the melting point is as low as -31.8 ℃, and the boiling point is 188 ℃. It boils when the cyclic structure is opened. The flash point is 83.33 ℃ and the self ignition point is 187.78 ℃. The vapor density is about 4.35, and the vapor pressure is 2.00 kPa at 15 mmHg (76 ℃). It can dissolve in ethanol and ether, with a solubility of 2.8g/100ml in water. However, at 50 ℃ or alkaline environment, it will quickly hydrolyze into sulfuric acid and methanol, while the decomposition process is slower in cold water.

Under conditions of heat, fire source, or oxidant, it is flammable, and the combustion products include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Waste disposal should adopt incineration method, which involves neutralization treatment before incineration to reduce sulfur oxide emissions. When destroying the laboratory, it can be diluted and treated with ammonia water to produce less toxic methylamine and dimethylamine.

The monitoring methods include gas detection tube method, rapid detection tube (Delger company product), and gas chromatography method. For details, please refer to the "Method for Determining Hazardous Substances in the Air" (Second Edition).