Diethyl Carbonate (DEC) is colorless liquid with slightly pungent odor. Diethyl carbonate has the commonness of ester solvents. In the presence of sodium metal, diethyl carbonate is easy to decompose, and the decomposition is intensified when the temperature rises, and the decomposition products are carbon dioxide and sodium ethanol. In terms of solubility, diethyl carbonate is insoluble in water and can be miscible with alcohol, ether, aromatic hydrocarbon, chloroform and other organic solvents. It can dissolve nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, polyvinyl acetate, acrylic resin, etc., partially dissolve rosin, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, chlorinated rubber, etc. 
Diethyl carbonate is an important intermediate in organic synthesis. Mainly used as nitrocellulose, cellulose ether, synthetic resin and natural resin solvent, pesticide pyrethrin and drug phenobarbital intermediate. It is used in the instrument and meter industry to make a fixed paint, which is used in the sealing and fixing of the cathode of the electron tube.