Cellosolve Acetate entered commercial production in the late 1920s as chemical makers hunted for solvents that worked well, dried fast, and cost less than the tried-and-true choices. DuPont, among others, saw real promise in this class of glycol ethers. Factories used it during the heyday of paint innovation and the postwar boom, when mass production demanded new, effective solvents by the ton. It quickly replaced slower, heavier compounds in paint shops, auto factories, and print rooms across North America and Europe. The urge to make surfaces dry faster and stay cleaner sent demand soaring. These early years built the foundation for its central place in coatings and inks today, but heavy use also meant that safety and environmental questions grew more urgent over time.
Cellosolve Acetate, or 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, carries CAS number 111-15-9. This solvent falls under glycol ethers, recognized for their strength in cutting oil, resin, and grease. Folks dealing with lacquers rely on it for its steady evaporation. It shows up in paints, coatings, dyes, metal cleaners, and adhesives. The chemical pulls its weight in manufacturing for electronics since it cleans glass without leaving film. Anywhere a lab or factory runs large-scale blend operations, someone is likely uncapping a drum of Cellosolve Acetate. The product comes clear, with a slightly sweet odor, storing easily in drums that keep out light and air.
The solvent boils at around 156°C and freezes just below minus 25°C. Because it dissolves both water and oil-based ingredients, it stands out from many competitors. It spreads easily thanks to its low viscosity and moderate vapor pressure. Its flash point sits at roughly 49°C, so precautions matter in hot work. Density rests near 0.97 g/cm³, putting it close to water on the scales in a chemical lab. These features explain its success in coatings and inks. People handling this material can detect its sweet smell, thanks to a low odor threshold, a helpful cue for leak detection on the shop floor.
Technical data sheets point out a minimum purity of 99% for industrial and laboratory work, with tight controls on water and acid content. Labels in markets worldwide carry warnings about flammability, health hazards, and routes of exposure. The UN number for shipping stays consistent: 1178. Transporters identify it as a flammable liquid in hazard class 3, so local and international shipping comes with built-in rules—grounding, signage, and spill kits at the ready. The globally harmonized system (GHS) icons, pictograms, and hazard statements appear on every drum, helping workers spot critical risks before use.
Chemical producers typically start with ethylene oxide and ethanol, yielding 2-ethoxyethanol. The next step involves reacting this alcohol with acetic acid or its anhydride, swapping hydrogen for an acetyl group. The plants run this synthesis through distillation units to clean up byproducts, aiming for that high purity mentioned earlier. Each batch passes through rounds of quality checks, with samples measured for residual acid, water content, and unsaponifiable matter. Factory teams often manage large tanks for each stage, using closed systems that keep vapor out of the air and reactant loss to a minimum.
Cellosolve Acetate serves as both a solvent and a building block in organic synthesis. Its ester group opens the door to hydrolysis under strong acid or base, kicking out acetic acid and reforming the parent alcohol. Under oxidative conditions, the molecule can fragment, especially in the presence of hot, concentrated acids. Manufacturers sometimes tweak derivatives to change volatility or boost solubility. In research labs, chemical engineers recognize glycol esters like Cellosolve Acetate as friendly to nucleophilic substitution, serving as intermediates where new, larger structures grow. The compound won’t stand up to sodium metal or strong alkali for long; it reacts and decomposes, warning chemists to avoid improper mixtures.
Manufacturers, dealers, and users know Cellosolve Acetate by a roster of names. The most common: ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, EGEEA, and 2-ethoxyethyl acetate. Older chemical catalogs listed it under DuPont’s trade name, but generics prevail in today’s market. In technical service bulletins or import-export lists, it sometimes appears as Ethyl Glycol Acetate or Acetic Acid 2-Ethoxyethyl Ester. Labels and shipping papers read these names interchangeably, causing confusion unless handlers check the CAS number.
Every worksite that handles Cellosolve Acetate needs a plan that considers its fast skin and lung absorption, flammability, and environmental impact. Short-term exposure causes headaches, confusion, and irritation; repeated exposures can lead to anemia, liver, and kidney problems. Factories require local exhaust ventilation to stop vapors from spreading. Workers put on gloves, safety goggles, and sometimes respirators—standard PPE that makes a big difference over time. Drums and tanks must ground to avoid static sparks, and chemical-resistant flooring simplifies spill cleanup. Training sessions stress the urgent need to wash off spills and keep eating or smoking away from work areas. Some firms install sensors to keep an eye on air concentrations where big batches mix or load. Regular medical exams for staff exposed over months or years often catch early signs of overexposure before health slips away unnoticed.
Industries value Cellosolve Acetate for dissolving resins in coatings, boosting dye penetration on textiles, and thinning inks for brighter printing. It eases production steps in electronics—the solvent doesn’t leave streaks and zaps residues from glass and silicon wafers. In auto body paint shops, it balances drying time and finish quality. Printer cartridge producers prize it for its ability to keep pigments and dyes suspended. While its speed and power solve tough jobs, rising awareness of toxicity and emissions nudges users to reconsider its place, especially in closed spaces and consumer goods.
Chemical engineers and toxicologists spent years mapping out how Cellosolve Acetate affects living cells and runs through the body. Recent research projects shifted toward greener glycol ethers, looking for drop-in substitutes with less health baggage. Some pilot plants now test blends that use less of this chemical while holding onto the benefits for cleaning and dissolving. Academic labs published new ways to monitor low-level air contamination, using advanced sensors or GC/MS methods that track molecules even at part-per-billion levels. Work also looked at enzyme-catalyzed production routes to reduce energy use and byproduct waste; though not commercial-scale yet, these innovations set the tone for the next decade.
Health researchers measured its effects on exposed populations and found that short-term symptoms start with headache and nausea, stretching to anemia and reproductive harm when exposures persist or rise high. Rodent studies repeated at universities and government agencies established links to reduced fertility and birth defects at high doses. Epidemiologists sampled air in factories, finding that even small amounts over long periods carry real health risks. Regulatory bodies like OSHA and the EU’s REACH raised the alarm, setting permissible exposure limits that dropped every decade. Personal stories from lab workers who spent years spraying or mixing this chemical gave a human face to statistics: memory problems, fatigue, and chronic respiratory issues that turned up more often than they should.
Strong market pressure and policy changes push producers to either reformulate or cut Cellosolve Acetate use. Paint and coating firms test new solvent systems built on esters, green glycols, and higher-boiling alcohols. Some regions phased it out for consumer spray paints or cleaning products, while heavy industry still clings to its handling, especially for specialty jobs where other chemicals fail. Researchers look to biobased feedstocks and closed-loop recycle systems to keep workers and the planet safer. One thing holds true: the chemical won’t disappear overnight, but every year, more companies choose to limit use where safer choices exist. Global trade tracks the shift, with many buyers now demanding proof of safer handling, lower emissions, and full risk disclosure before signing contracts.
Cellosolve acetate, known in labs as 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, stands out for its strong ability to dissolve tough resins, greases, oils, and various polymer coatings. If you ever walk through a paint or coatings factory, that slightly sweet, sharp odor lingering in the air might hint at a solvent like this at work. Unlike many household names in cleaning or finishing, cellosolve acetate finds its way mostly into commercial processes where effectiveness trumps low-level toxicity.
Walk into any furniture refinishing shop or high-end auto body paint booth, and there’s a good chance cellosolve acetate plays a role somewhere behind the scenes. People mixing industrial paints reach for it because it thins out finishes so they spread evenly and dry without bubbles or streaks. In my own time around woodworkers, I’ve seen frustration rise when brush marks stick around or a lacquer goes on tacky. The right solvent changes all of that, and cellosolve acetate carries just the right flow, especially for nitrocellulose lacquers that protect guitars or preserve detailed cabinet work.
I remember hearing from a chemist friend about large batches of specialty adhesives, where too much solvent tore apart polymer chains, but too little left everything a sticky mess. Cellosolve acetate delivers that Goldilocks balance. It evaporates at just the right speed to let adhesives or printing inks settle onto paper, plastics, and metal without smudging or wrinkling. It also fits into the process of making photoresists, which shape how microchips pick up tiny, precise patterns. Try swapping out this solvent, and whole production lines could slow down.
Every workshop and plant runs into nasty greases and stubborn wax residues. Strong solvents make a difference between a quick wipe and a day spent scrubbing. Cellosolve acetate has earned its spot especially for tasks where gentle isn’t enough: degreasing steel equipment before painting or cleaning printing presses after long runs. In my own cleanup jobs, I learned that switching from milder solvents to this one often sliced hours off a shift spent cleaning rollers or machine parts.
No strong solvent comes without risk, and cellosolve acetate carries warnings for good reason. Repeated exposure, especially in enclosed spaces, can harm the nervous system, liver, and kidneys. It can get through skin and into the bloodstream, so the usual gloves and goggles are a must. Factories with plenty of ventilation and strict safety protocols cut down on accidental overexposure, but smaller operations can’t skimp here either. The EPA and OSHA both set limits for workplace use, and these rules have tightened up over the decades because of mounting evidence on health effects.
With so many industries looking for safer, more sustainable options, research keeps pushing toward less toxic solvents that don’t sacrifice performance. Water-based coatings have made a dent in some sectors, though they sometimes lack the drying speed and finish cellosolve acetate delivers. The challenge is clear: match effectiveness, avoid new hazards, and stay affordable for businesses. For now, clear labeling, solid ventilation, and ongoing worker training keep things as safe as possible while scientists continue the hunt for a perfect replacement.
Cellosolve acetate, also known as 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, shows up in lots of paints, coatings, and industrial cleaners. Folks who work around paints or chemical manufacturing might handle this solvent more than they realize. In my years covering workplace health, chemicals like this have been tough to discuss because their dangers aren’t always visible until someone gets sick.
A big worry with cellosolve acetate comes from how easily it is absorbed. If it gets on your skin or you breathe in its fumes, your body can take up a lot of it quickly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), repeated or high exposure could damage your kidneys, liver, blood, and nervous system. Some workers exposed heavily reported headaches, dizziness, and sometimes nausea. Long-term contact can also dry out or burn your skin.
Researchers have linked 2-ethoxyethyl acetate to reproductive harm in animal studies, and some findings raise red flags about risks for human pregnancies, too. Europe targeted this compound years ago for tight regulation partly for this very reason. In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) put exposure limits in place because of these symptoms, but cases still turn up in industrial safety logs.
Cellosolve acetate offers quick evaporation and helps paints and coatings spread smoothly. It dissolves stubborn glues and varnishes that less aggressive chemicals can’t touch. That combination saves time and money for manufacturers. Sadly, convenience leads people to cut corners on personal protection, which only increases risk.
Back in the early days of my reporting, I visited an auto body shop where workers rarely used gloves or proper masks. Within a couple of years, one technician started noticing numbness in his fingers. His doctor linked the symptoms to repeated exposure to solvents, including cellosolve acetate. This story echoes through lots of industries that rely on quick fixes or cheap products.
Rules from OSHA and similar groups set strict limits, but legal limits don’t stop someone from splashing a little on their skin by accident. Workers get real protection through training, proper ventilation, and reliable safety equipment. Gloves, eye shields, and respirators matter—especially in small shops that deal in heavy-duty cleaners.
In recent years, I’ve seen more employers swap cellosolve acetate for safer substitutes. Materials with less impact on human health exist, though they sometimes cost more or work slower. For companies still using cellosolve acetate or similar solvents, regular monitoring of air quality and personal exposure remains smart policy. Even small steps like better labeling and open conversations about long-term health can cut down on accidents.
Chemicals like cellosolve acetate bring real benefits to industry, but they ask for respect, knowledge, and care. My years covering workplace safety tell me that the real hazard isn’t the chemical itself—it’s turning a blind eye to its effects. People whose daily jobs bring them near these substances deserve both the facts and the tools to stay healthy.
Cellosolve Acetate, known to chemistry folks as 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, shows up in a lot of manufacturing settings. From paints and coatings to some cleaning products, it's valued for its ability to dissolve things that water can’t touch. In my own time working with volatile solvents, respect for their volatility and toxicity has always been at the top of my list. This compound isn’t something to treat like regular household chemicals. It gives off vapors that hit the nervous system, and it can sneak through skin if you aren’t careful.
Letting chemicals sit just anywhere is inviting trouble. I’ve always kept solvents like Cellosolve Acetate locked up in tight metal containers, clearly labeled, and stashed away from sunlight or sources of heat. This approach cuts down on the risk of fumes filling the air, which can happen way faster than most expect, and it keeps the liquid from getting unstable. The back room or chemical cabinet shouldn’t get too warm. Room temperature, below 30°C, offers a steady environment without surprises.
Vapors from Cellosolve Acetate don’t just drift off and disappear. They hang out, and in a closed or stuffy space, the concentration can climb to dangerous levels. In projects I’ve managed, ventilation always came before convenience. Strong airflow near storage spots and a policy against eating and drinking anywhere close to these chemicals go a long way toward keeping everyone healthy.
Direct contact is the quickest way to get in trouble with this solvent. I’ve never handled it without gloves resistant to solvents, like nitrile. Regular latex or barehand grabs are out of the question. Face shields and goggles are just standard routine since a splash in the eye isn’t reversible with a quick rinse.
If you’re moving the liquid or mixing it, a chemical apron or lab coat adds a firm layer of defense. Respirators rated for organic vapors become necessary in places where airflow isn’t powerful enough or if something spills. A mask sitting around a worker’s neck won’t help anyone—it needs to be worn correctly and fit checked.
Spills are a matter of when, not if. In my labs and workshops, spill kits were never buried at the back of a shelf. Absorbent materials for solvents, personal protective equipment, and a plan for safe cleanup are basic steps. Cleaning up with paper towels or regular rags just spreads the hazard. Used chemicals and any contaminated rags go straight into metal disposal cans with tight lids. Leaving them out makes fire a real possibility since vapors can catch a spark from something as simple as a faulty light switch.
Waste from Cellosolve Acetate shouldn’t blend in with municipal garbage. Hazardous waste collection costs a bit, but it keeps toxic runoff away from water supplies and wildlife. Facility managers I’ve worked with kept detailed logs for chemical usage and waste, keeping regulators happy and workers safe. Any training on chemical handling always includes a rundown of symptoms of exposure, emergency wash stations, and the local poison control hotline number posted where everyone can see it.
Most accidents with solvents trace back to short-cuts or rushed jobs. A few extra minutes to check labels, inspect containers, and clear the air always pays off. Safety isn’t just about ticking boxes on a checklist. It’s about going home at the end of the day with no chemical burns, no cough, and no mystery headaches—just another day done right.
Cellosolve acetate, or 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, is a clear liquid solvent that sees use across coatings, inks, and cleaning products. Anyone who has worked in industrial settings or labs can recognize its sweet smell, like a sharp reminder of chemistry class. Its real value shows up on the shop floor or in the back rooms where blending solvents demands precision, not theory.
People blend cellosolve acetate with other solvents every day—often to thin paints, dissolve resins, or tweak drying rates. Compatibility matters in practice. This solvent plays nice with alcohols, ketones, esters, and aromatics. Painters and chemists choose it to cut lacquers or to formulate cleaning mixtures where stubborn residues refuse to budge. In my experience, hitting the sweet spot often means reaching for cellosolve acetate to create a balance. It cuts strong enough to clean up but rarely strips finishes or leaves surface marks like harsher solvents.
The best blends don’t just mix; they solve a problem. In the coatings industry, balancing speed with smoothness is a daily affair. Fast-evaporating solvents can leave coatings rough or full of bubbles. On the other hand, slow-evaporating ones can cause drooping and uneven curing. Cellosolve acetate fits in the middle. It slows things down just enough to help gloss settle out and colors level off.
I’ve seen shops toying with combinations, blending cellosolve acetate with toluene or xylene to improve solvent power. Sometimes they add a touch of butyl acetate for a slower dry, especially during hot summer jobs when paints dry too quickly. The right combo delivers the needed results without harming workers, surfaces, or air quality.
Priority goes beyond performance. Safety comes into play quickly—a lesson learned by anyone who’s ever handled solvent mixes without proper gloves or air flow. Cellosolve acetate absorbs through the skin and can affect the nervous system or blood if mishandled. Some solvents amplify these risks when blended, so reading the safety data sheets isn’t just a box-check. Wearing gloves and using decent ventilation turns into habit, not just practice.
Modern regulations intend to keep workplaces safer. The EPA and OSHA keep an eye on exposure limits and require labeling and storage standards for these blends. Fines or shutdowns often hit businesses that ignore these rules. Responsible shops measure air quality and keep solvents in sealed containers, away from open flames or direct sunlight.
In shop talk, nothing beats practical experience. Start with small test batches before dumping entire drums together. Keep blends labeled and separate, so mistakes don’t ruin an entire production run. Listen to workers—sometimes a cough or a headache says more than a digital monitor.
There’s no magic recipe, but cellosolve acetate stands out as a reliable partner in countless blends. Pairing it thoughtfully means balancing safety, performance, and environmental impact—without running afoul of safety or health standards.
Cellosolve Acetate stands out for both its distinct chemical properties and its widespread role in industry and research. The clear formula for this compound is C6H12O3. Breaking that down a little, it consists of six carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, and three oxygen atoms. This makes it an ester—specifically, the acetic acid ester of 2-ethoxyethanol. Its IUPAC name lands as 2-ethoxyethyl acetate. For anyone who’s handled solvents in a laboratory or manufacturing environment, Cellosolve Acetate has probably crossed your path, sometimes just called ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate.
Cellosolve Acetate isn’t just a formula in a textbook. This solvent acts as the workhorse behind paints, coatings, and cleaning agents. Sitting at the core of many consumer goods, it helps materials go on smoothly. In my experience working with industrial coatings, few compounds blend performance with flexibility as it does. The low viscosity lets it penetrate tight spots for cleaning and degreasing. Its ability to mix with both water and organic compounds is what keeps it relevant as regulations keep pushing for more safety and less pollution.
The benefits come with caveats. Exposure risks track back to both short- and long-term health. Toxicology data links high concentrations of Cellosolve Acetate vapors to headaches, dizziness, and problems with the central nervous system. Persistent, unchecked exposure raises red flags for kidney and liver damage, too. With this in mind, workplaces lean heavily on ventilation systems and personal protective equipment. From firsthand experience, not giving enough attention to these safety measures puts people at avoidable risk. OSHA and NIOSH both have clear standards for exposure—set for good reason. Workers and supervisors alike do best when they respect those limits.
Cellosolve Acetate degrades in the environment, but it doesn’t just vanish without trace. Contamination in groundwater and soil can stay for some time. The ability to move through the environment draws scrutiny from environmental agencies worldwide. As sustainability grows in importance, industries feel pressure to phase out hazardous solvents. Some paint manufacturers now opt for bio-based or alternative glycol ethers, lowering toxicity and improving biodegradability. As an advocate for cleaner chemistry, I find the switch to safer alternatives doesn’t just protect workers—it starts upstream, reducing harm before people even step into the facility.
Anyone working with or around Cellosolve Acetate holds a piece of the responsibility. Companies foster a culture of safety not with just posters, but with real, day-in-day-out training. Good ventilation, spill kits, and gloves create a strong barrier between the worker and the risk. Researchers share data openly about toxicity and alternatives, feeding a bigger movement toward safer labs and factories. The science is solid—the formula, C6H12O3, remains unchanged. What changes is how people choose to use it and how they protect themselves, their coworkers, and their communities.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-ethoxyethyl acetate |
| Other names |
2-Ethoxyethyl acetate Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate Glycol ether EA Ethyl cellosolve acetate Ethanol, 2-ethoxy-, acetate |
| Pronunciation | /ˈsɛl.əˌsɒlv əˈsiː.teɪt/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 111-15-9 |
| Beilstein Reference | Beilstein Reference 1742766 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:8522 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL44457 |
| ChemSpider | 5042 |
| DrugBank | DB14508 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 100.003.293 |
| EC Number | 203-839-2 |
| Gmelin Reference | Gmelin Reference: 100116 |
| KEGG | C01567 |
| MeSH | Ethanol, 2-ethoxy-, acetate |
| PubChem CID | 8995 |
| RTECS number | KQ9250000 |
| UNII | UD40SWH8T1 |
| UN number | UN1171 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H12O3 |
| Molar mass | Cellosolve Acetate" has a molar mass of 132.16 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid with a mild pleasant odor |
| Odor | Pleasant, ether-like odor |
| Density | 1.03 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | Soluble |
| log P | 0.14 |
| Vapor pressure | 5.8 mmHg (20°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | pKa ≈ 12.5 |
| Basicity (pKb) | pKb: 9.25 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -6.62×10⁻⁶ |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.406 |
| Viscosity | 1.7 cP (20°C) |
| Dipole moment | 5.92 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 309.9 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -576.8 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -3222 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | D7E6D |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS07,GHS08 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P271, P280, P301+P310, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P337+P313, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, P501 |
| Flash point | 49°C (120°F) (closed cup) |
| Autoignition temperature | 170°C (338°F) |
| Explosive limits | Explosive limits: 1.7% - 10.8% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): 2,200 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): 3,200 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| NIOSH | 'KG2450000' |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) of Cellosolve Acetate: 50 ppm (190 mg/m³) |
| REL (Recommended) | 25 ppm |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | 100 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate Ethyl acetate Ethylene glycol Cellosolve |
