Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether
Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether, also known as 2-Ethoxyethanol or Ethyl Cellosolve, is a clear, colorless, and hygroscopic liquid with moderate volatility and excellent solvency. It belongs to the glycol ether family and is widely used as a solvent and coalescing agent due to its ability to dissolve both polar and non-polar compounds. It is miscible with water and many organic solvents and has a moderate boiling point (~135°C). It finds extensive applications across coatings, inks, adhesives, cleaners, and chemical synthesis industries.
Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether
Primary Uses
- Coatings & Paints
- Acts as a coalescing solvent to improve film formation, gloss, and leveling in waterborne and solvent-based coatings.
- Compatible with acrylics, alkyds, polyurethanes, and nitrocellulose resins.
- Used extensively in automotive, industrial, and architectural paints and varnishes.
- Printing Inks
- Utilized as a solvent in flexographic, gravure, and letterpress inks.
- Enhances pigment dispersion, drying control, and adhesion on paper and plastic substrates.
- Adhesives & Sealants
- Functions as a solvent and viscosity modifier in pressure-sensitive, contact, acrylic, and urethane adhesives.
- Improves tack, peel strength, flow properties, and curing efficiency.
- Common in wood adhesives, laminates, and construction sealants.
- Cleaning & Degreasing
- Employed in industrial and household degreasers for effective removal of oils, greases, and waxes from metals and glass.
- Chemical Intermediate
- Serves as a solvent and reaction medium in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, dyes, and specialty chemicals.
Secondary Uses
- Textile Industry
- Used in dyeing, printing, and finishing processes to improve wetting, penetration, and color fastness.
- Cosmetics & Personal Care
- Incorporated as a solvent and carrier in nail polish removers, perfumes, and skincare products (subject to regulatory limits).
- Agriculture
- Acts as a solvent and adjuvant in pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide formulations.
- Electronics & Photographic Industry
- Used in photoresist chemicals for circuit board manufacturing and photoimaging.
- Fuel Additives & Biofuels
- Employed as a solvent/carrier in fuel additive formulations.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): 2-Ethoxyethanol
- Common/Trade Name: Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether (EGEE)
- CAS Number: 110-80-5
- HS Code: 2914.19.90
- Molecular Formula: C4H10O2
- Synonyms: Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, Ethyl Cellosolve
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Clear, colorless liquid
- Odor: Mild ether-like
- Boiling Point: 135°C
- Melting Point: -70°C
- Density: 0.93 g/cm³ at 20°C
- Viscosity: ~1.3 cP at 20°C
- Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohols, ketones, many solvents
- Vapor Pressure: 3.9 mmHg at 20°C
- Flash Point: 63°C (closed cup)
- Refractive Index: 1.426 at 20°C
- pH: Neutral (~7 in aqueous solution)
- Stability: Stable under normal conditions; avoid oxidizers
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- Hazard Class (GHS): Flammable liquid (Category 3), skin and eye irritant
- Toxicity: Moderate acute toxicity; irritation upon prolonged exposure
- Exposure Limits:
- OSHA PEL: 50 ppm
- ACGIH TLV: 20 ppm
- Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, eye contact
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat and ignition sources
- Container Type: Steel drums or solvent-resistant polyethylene containers
- Shelf Life: Approximately 12 months when stored properly
- Handling Precautions: Use adequate ventilation, avoid skin and eye contact, prevent vapor accumulation
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- REACH Registration: Registered in EU
- TSCA: Listed on US EPA Inventory
- FDA Status: Not approved for food or drug use
- VOC Regulations: Classified as VOC in many jurisdictions
- Usage Restrictions: Subject to occupational exposure limits and environmental regulations
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions
- Ecotoxicity: Low to moderate toxicity to aquatic life; avoid environmental release
- Bioaccumulation: Not expected
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified
Safety Handling Precautions
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Protective gloves (nitrile or neoprene)
- Safety goggles or face shield
- Protective clothing
- Respiratory protection if ventilation is inadequate
- Handling Guidelines:
- Use in well-ventilated areas or under local exhaust ventilation
- Avoid skin and eye contact
- Avoid inhalation of vapors
- Prevent spills and vapor buildup
- Storage Measures:
- Keep containers tightly sealed
- Store away from oxidizers, acids, and ignition sources
- Maintain cool, dry, well-ventilated conditions
- Hygiene Practices:
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke during handling
- Clean contaminated surfaces regularly
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation:
- Move affected person to fresh air; seek medical attention if respiratory irritation occurs
- Skin Contact:
- Wash with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing; seek medical attention if irritation persists
- Eye Contact:
- Rinse eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical advice if irritation continues
- Ingestion:
- Rinse mouth with water; do not induce vomiting; seek immediate medical assistance if large amounts ingested
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards:
- Flammable liquid; vapors may form explosive mixtures with air
- Extinguishing Media:
- Foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or water spray
- Special Precautions:
- Firefighters should wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus
- Decomposition Products:
- Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ethylene oxides
Related products
Acetone
Acetone (chemical formula CH₃COCH₃) is the simplest and most widely used ketone, appearing as a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic sweet, pungent odor. Industrial Grade Acetone is manufactured with a minimum purity of 99.5%, offering aggressive solvent power, rapid evaporation rate, and complete miscibility with water and most organic solvents. Its combination of high solvency, low toxicity relative to other industrial solvents, and favorable regulatory status makes it an indispensable chemical in manufacturing, cleaning, and formulation processes across numerous heavy industries.
Carbon Disulfide
Carbon Disulfide (CS₂) is a volatile, flammable, and highly toxic organic solvent composed of carbon and sulfur. At 99% purity, it is a clear to pale yellow liquid with a pungent, sweet, ether-like odor. Carbon Disulfide is produced primarily by the reaction of carbon (charcoal) with sulfur vapors at high temperatures. Due to its excellent solvent properties and reactivity, it is used across multiple industries, including the production of rayon, cellophane, rubber chemicals, and pesticides. Despite its utility, Carbon Disulfide requires careful handling because of its toxicity, flammability, and environmental hazards.
Ethyl Glycol Acetate
Ethyl Glycol Acetate, also known as 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate, is a clear, colorless liquid solvent with a mild, sweet, and slightly fruity odor. It belongs to the family of glycol ethers and esters, combining excellent solvency power with moderate evaporation rates. This makes it highly suitable for use in coatings, inks, adhesives, and cleaning formulations where good solvency and controlled drying times are desired. Ethyl Glycol Acetate is compatible with a wide range of resins, including nitrocellulose, alkyd, acrylic, and vinyl resins, making it a versatile industrial solvent. Its balanced physical properties allow for efficient thinning, cleaning, and dissolution without rapid evaporation or harsh odors.
Ink reducer (Ethanol)
Ink reducer (Ethanol) is a volatile, colorless liquid used to adjust the viscosity, flow, and drying time of printing inks. Composed primarily of high-purity ethanol (ethyl alcohol), it acts as a solvent or diluent in various ink systems—particularly in flexographic, gravure, and screen printing. This reducer enhances printability by improving ink transfer, leveling, and penetration into substrates. Ink reducers based on ethanol are fast-drying and widely compatible with alcohol-soluble and water-alcohol hybrid inks used in packaging, label printing, and paper conversion industries.
Methyl Iso Butyl Ketone
Methyl Iso Butyl Ketone (MIBK) is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic sharp, sweet odor. It is a versatile solvent widely used in industrial applications due to its excellent solvency, moderate evaporation rate, and chemical stability. MIBK is commonly utilized in coatings, adhesives, printing inks, and chemical synthesis.
N propyl Acetate
N propyl Acetate is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid ester with a fruity odor, chemically known as propyl ethanoate. It is widely used as a solvent in coatings, inks, adhesives, and cleaning agents due to its excellent solvency and moderate evaporation rate. N-Propyl Acetate is valued for its ability to dissolve various resins and polymers, providing good film formation and gloss in paints and coatings.
N-Propanol
N-Propanol, also known as n-Propyl Alcohol or 1-Propanol, is a clear, colorless, low-viscosity liquid with a characteristic mild alcohol-like odor. It is a primary alcohol with the molecular formula C₃H₈O, fully miscible with water and common organic solvents such as alcohols, ketones, ethers, glycols, and hydrocarbons. This high-purity, semi-volatile, polar solvent serves as both a versatile solvent and a chemical intermediate across multiple industrial sectors. N-Propanol has a flash point of 15–23°C and is classified as a highly flammable liquid. Technical grade N-Propanol is manufactured for industrial applications and is not intended for direct human consumption unless specifically certified as USP or Food Grade.
Shellsol T
Shellsol T is a low aromatic, high-purity petroleum hydrocarbon solvent known for its excellent solvency power and relatively low odor. It is a clear, colorless liquid commonly used in coatings, adhesives, inks, and chemical processing where strong solvency with moderate evaporation rates is needed. Its balanced properties make it suitable for industrial applications requiring controlled drying and good compatibility with various resins and polymers.

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