Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether

Description

The first in a series of "Cellosolve®" solvents based on glycol ethers. This colorless, odorless liquid is miscible with both water and most organic solvents. Cellosolve® dissolves many oils, resins, and waxes. It is used as a solvent for Cellulose nitrate resins, spray lacquers, varnishes, and enamels. Cellosolve® is also used in varnish removers and Dry cleaning solutions. Other applications include use in Dye baths, Leather finishing and as an Emulsifier.

Synonyms and Related Terms

2-ethoxyethanol; ethylene glycol ethyl ether; Cellosolve® [Union Carbide]; Oxitol [Shell]; Poly-Solv [Olin]; Dowanol EE {Dow]

Risks

• Combustible. Flash point= 111F.
• Toxic by skin absorption, ingestion and inhalation.
• Parchem: SDS
• EPA lists ethoxyethanol as hazardous waste due to its toxicity and ignitability; concentrations over 10% must be disposed of appropriately

Physical and Chemical Properties

Miscible with water, ethanol, ether, acetone, liquid esters.

Composition	CH2OH-CH2-O-C2H5
CAS	110-80-5
Melting Point	-70 C
Density	0.931 g/ml
Molecular Weight	mol. wt.=90.14
Boiling Point	135 C

Resources and Citations

• R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986

• The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 3797