Chemistry’s toolbox grew fast through the last century. Dipropylene glycol ether entered industrial scenes after World War II, right as companies and researchers needed gentle, effective solvents for products targeting homes and workplaces. This compound drew attention both because of safety compared to heavy hitters like ethylene glycol ethers, and because of rapidly growing markets for cleaning and coating formulations. Early patent literature shows producers refining methods—like distillation from propylene oxide and alcohols—to scale it up. By the ‘70s, its safer character landed it spots in paints and cleaning liquids replacing previous, more hazardous solvents, especially as worker safety rules pressed manufacturers to shift away from more toxic glycol ethers. Demand tracked tight with growth in coatings, electronics, and personal care througout the 1980s and after.
Dipropylene glycol ether provides a balance: affordable, clear, with barely any odor. Factories can count on reliable supply. Manufacturers often choose it for dissolving oily or greasy residues in products you trust every day—window sprays, degreasers, even printing inks. Unlike harsher glycols or fast-evaporating solvents, it gives a friendlier vapor profile, reducing complaints about odor and headaches in closed rooms or factory lines. Companies swap it into products where user comfort matters, but performance can't slide. This edge keeps it embedded in household and commercial blends for years now.
You won’t mistake dipropylene glycol ether for water if you pour it—its syrupy, colorless look and mild, nearly sweet scent set it apart. Its boiling point pushes past 190°C, making it last longer in many processes. With a density around 0.95 g/cm³ and moderate viscosity, it flows easily without splashing or “grabbing” on surfaces. It dissolves wide ranges of organic materials, keeping grease, oil, and certain resins suspended without separating or turning cloudy. Few chemicals match its modest volatility. It mixes with water and organics without fuss, cutting prep time. This chemical’s stability under most storage conditions—cool, dry, away from open flame—is another plus for storage and shipping teams.
Shipped and sold under precise standards, dipropylene glycol ether arrives with detailed specifications: limits for water content, free acid, color index, and purity (often above 98%). Drums, totes, and tankers must give buyers lot numbers, purity grades, and traceability—especially for regulatory or food-contact uses. Producers print hazard labels noting eye and skin irritation risks and compatibility limitations. Workers often refer to safety datasheets for first-hand handling, eye protection, and spill procedures, which all need clear, accurate instructions. Companies using it in consumer or workplace blends report source and lot for tracking and recall requirements.
Industry makes dipropylene glycol ether by reacting propylene oxide with alcohol catalysts—typically dipropylene glycol itself. Reaction conditions, like temperature and pressure, control chain length and limit byproducts. Tall distillation columns separate close-boiling fractions to capture the target ether, rejecting higher propylene glycol impurities and color bodies. Factories recycle byproducts to minimize waste and cut costs—a trick learned as sustainability climbed corporate agendas. Process optimizations since the ‘90s let manufacturers make batches that meet both industrial and food-contact purity targets, reducing contaminant loads well below older process averages.
Dipropylene glycol ether’s backbone resists hard oxidizers, acids, and bases better than some ethers. Still, strong acids or dehydrating agents split it up. Controlled reactions can add ester or carbonate groups, adjusting solvent power or volatility for specialized coatings and resins. Chem labs use it to open up polymer chains or as a carrier for catalysts. Its structure allows modest chemical tailoring, supporting new applications in water-based systems, which keeps it popular in formulation research. These modifications matter most in high-performance uses like semi-conductor cleaning or low-odor paint categories.
Dipropylene glycol ether travels under plenty of trade and chemical names: DPGME, “propanediol monoethyl ether”, and specific trade marks from the big producers—Dow, Shell, BASF—like “Dowanol DPM”. Label confusion crops up often, as suppliers switch between technical tradition and market branding. Knowing all these aliases simplifies sourcing and safe handling, particularly when cross-checking regulatory paperwork between countries or supply partners. Training in these naming quirks saves time and prevents misplaced orders or paperwork delays.
Workplace use stems from its lower tendency to cause harm compared to early glycol ethers. Still, direct skin exposure can dry or irritate, and mist can bother eyes and throats over long shifts. Ventilation, gloves, and splash goggles stay standard in production and lab settings. Regulatory agencies like OSHA and the European Chemicals Agency include it on solvent watchlists—requiring clear hazard communications, emergency eyewash, and incident reporting. Storage rules call for sealed drums away from sparks or ignition points; firefighting teams point out its low flash point as a potential hazard in hot environments. Spill response teams get ready with absorbents and protective gear to control leaks, both for worker health and to meet environmental rules.
Anyone who’s cleaned glass, sprayed a surface disinfectant, or painted a room may have handled dipropylene glycol ether through consumer products. Companies count on it in paint strippers, latex paints, electronics cleaners, inkjet printers, even brake fluids. Because of its gentle dissolving power, it edges out harsher solvents that cause headaches or skin burns at low doses. Supply chain managers in electronics and automotive spaces keep it on order sheets thanks to predictable performance, lower worker complaints, and compatibility with new “green” formulation lists. Brands wanting EPA Safer Choice or EU Ecolabel status turn to it to blend cleaning and care products that avoid traditional, more dangerous glycol ether risks.
R&D teams put dipropylene glycol ether through tests for new paints, coatings, adhesives, and health-related products. Its stable structure lets scientists study alternatives to more volatile, high-toxicity glycol ethers or aromatic solvents. Recent projects examine blending it into greener, water-based cleaning agents and into specialty inks for electronics. Pharmaceutical researchers poke at its low evaporation and skin tolerance, hoping to open new doors in topical formulations. Companies track new regulatory targets and VOC (volatile organic compound) rules, so formulation scientists keep blending it into new, lower-emission coating and cleaning recipes.
Toxicology reports suggest dipropylene glycol ether offers a better safety margin than legacy glycol ethers. Laboratory studies found little evidence of carcinogenic or high-level reproductive risk, provided exposure stays within current workplace limits. Chronic exposure hazards exist if workers handle pure solvent without gloves or masks, receiving skin and lung irritation over months. Drinking or swallowing more than a few milliliters proves toxic—emergency departments have managed intoxications, but most recover with prompt treatment. Regulatory reviews routinely confirm it as a “safer” class for household or office goods, though high-dose, long-term animal studies caution against large, repeated exposures.
Markets chase products mixing low personal risk, green chemistry, and performance. Dipropylene glycol ether counts points in each area, giving it a clear path as a bridge and fallback as companies weed out dangerous solvents from their lines. As more countries pass bans or heavy taxes on hazardous chemicals, demand should tick up for non-aromatic, non-toxic glycol ethers for coatings, inks, and cleaners. Research groups press for biodegradable tweaks, searching out even smaller residues in water and food streams. Digital ink and electronics cleaning growth offer another steady pull for solvent suppliers. Next-gen factories expect data on lifecycle, carbon footprint, and consumer perceptions—leaning into compounds like dipropylene glycol ether that balance safety and real-world performance without fading under spotlight from regulators and watchdogs.
Many painters, factories, and DIY enthusiasts rely on products that spread evenly and dry just right. Dipropylene glycol ether, often called DPG ether, plays a quiet but essential part here. This solvent stops paint from drying out too fast, letting you roll or brush it on without streaks. Factories producing automotive and industrial coatings depend on DPG ether for smooth finishes and consistent results, even in tricky weather or temperature swings. I remember talking to a local painter who pointed out that switching to paint with DPG ether solved his old issues with tacky surfaces and uneven coats.
Stubborn grease and grimy surfaces—DPG ether tackles both without leaving cloudy spots behind. Most glass cleaners and degreasers count on it because it helps lift oily dirt and dries without streaks. Walk down any supermarket aisle, pick up a blue or green cleaner, and you’ll likely see DPG ether listed. For factories, it dissolves ink, glue, and heavy oils, making it easier to clean equipment and parts between jobs. Years ago, I watched a printer-maintenance tech clean dried ink from hulking presses using a DPG ether blend, leaving spotless rollers ready for the next batch.
Manufacturers of perfumes and creams trust DPG ether for gentle blending and stable scents. Some perfumes lose their punch or change character after a few months, but DPG ether helps fragrances hold steady. It’s mild on the skin, too. In skin creams and lotions, this ingredient lets moisture and smell last longer, so you don’t have to reapply every couple of hours. Consumer safety researchers recognize it as a less irritating alternative compared to harsher solvents, which probably explains why big brands moved toward using it in their new formulas.
Anyone who’s cleared a paper jam or cursed messy hands after touching fresh prints knows the value of a fast-drying, reliable ink. DPG ether keeps printing inks at the right consistency, stopping them from drying up inside printers but ensuring words and images dry on paper right away. Commercial print shops and office printers get more reliable performance because the solvents, like DPG ether, manage evaporation rates so inks don’t clog delicate nozzles.
Every powerful chemical brings questions about worker safety and the environment. Researchers have tested DPG ether for skin irritancy and toxicity. Studies published by the European Chemicals Agency note that it poses lower risks compared to older solvents like ethylene glycol ethers, which once filled the same roles but created serious health concerns. Factories have been switching over and investing in training for proper handling, ventilation, and spill control. Wearing gloves and following safety sheets seem like small steps, but they keep accidents low. The trend toward water-based, lower-impact products speaks to growing awareness and industry efforts.
The world shifts quickly. Companies look for solvents that meet safety, quality, and regulatory goals. New plant-based formulations and engineered solvents aim to match or improve on DPG ether’s performance. As labs keep tweaking formulas and publishing results, society stands to benefit from safer homes, clean air, and more reliable products. Regulations from agencies like OSHA and REACH help push industry in the right direction. Staying informed and prioritizing worker training matter—not only for safety, but for delivering quality work in homes, factories, and shops everywhere.
Most people haven’t heard much about dipropylene glycol ether, but it pops up in plenty of cosmetic products. Manufacturers use it to help blend ingredients and keep products like lotions, sprays, and cleansers stable. Several companies choose it because it dissolves a range of substances and doesn’t add strong scents or heavy texture to skin care formulas.
Many folks feel uneasy when they spot chemical names in the ingredients list, and with stories about harmful additives making the rounds, those worries make sense. Diving into the research, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has taken a look at dipropylene glycol and its related ethers. They found that, under normal use in cosmetics, it doesn't have a track record of causing skin irritation or allergic reactions. The European Union keeps a close eye on cosmetics and still allows dipropylene glycol ether in personal care items. No country with a mature regulatory system singles it out as a problem when used the right way.
I remember sorting through cleansers and moisturizers after a bad flare-up. Sensitive, eczema-prone skin reacts to the smallest irritation. Researching each ingredient, dipropylene glycol ether always seemed to appear in gentle formulas from dermatologists. Over the years, I found that products containing this ingredient kept my skin calm, unlike some “natural” formulas that turned out harsher. It’s not the synthetic part of the label that matters most—it’s how an ingredient behaves when applied as intended.
Plenty of confusing stories swirl out there about chemical toxicity. Some folks hear “glycol” and think of antifreeze or industrial cleaners, but pure ingredient handling is a whole different ballgame than what happens in finished products. The CIR, along with Health Canada and the European Commission, have combed through years of evidence and patch tests. At the concentrations used in cosmetics, dipropylene glycol ether doesn’t cause cancer, birth defects, or hormone disruption. Safety studies used both animals and real people. There’s no proven build-up of this chemical in skin or organs from normal use.
Every chemical, even water, can irritate skin if overused or applied at high strength. Trouble usually comes from products with a cocktail of harsh substances or when a formula gets swapped out with a cheaper, less refined version. Low-income communities often get hit hardest, buying knock-offs or outdated cosmetics that skip proper testing. Makers who dodge regulations introduce real risks, and consumers have little way to check what’s truly inside a sketchy bottle. Mild skin reactions sometimes happen if someone already has broken skin or is allergic to related compounds. Talking to a dermatologist always trumps guessing, especially if there’s redness or itching right after trying something new.
Transparency helps most. Brands open about their sourcing and ingredient testing usually earn trust. Following up with patch testing on a small patch of skin avoids full-face disasters. Learning to read an ingredient list matters. If dipropylene glycol ether shows up close to the end of the list, odds are it’s playing a minor helper role and not carrying the product. Also, official seals or certifications mean someone outside the brand checked for corners being cut. Granting the science, regular folks can keep using their favorite lotions and cleansers as long as they listen to their skin and choose brands that treat safety seriously.
If you work around paints, cleaners, or even personal care products, you might have tripped over the names Dipropylene Glycol Ether and Propylene Glycol Ether. Folks often toss these around as though they're interchangeable, but small molecular tweaks split them into pretty distinct chemicals with different strengths—and, just as crucially, different risks.
Chemistry isn’t just theory; it’s hands-on stuff. Props to Propylene Glycol Ether for being the smaller cousin—it carries only a single glycol unit bonded with an ether group. What does that mean in the workshop? Its lower molecular weight lets it evaporate quicker, makes it a choice for cleaning agents, and helps paint dry in less time. If you’re in a rush, you start to value the “fast off” qualities.
Dipropylene Glycol Ether goes the other way, with two glycol units. This subtle difference builds bigger molecules, and that slows everything down. Evaporation drags out, making this chemical a go-to for jobs where you can’t have things setting up too quickly. It slides into coatings and inks, where you want time to work your surface. People on factory floors, and artists for that matter, appreciate this kind of flexibility.
For years, I’ve studied safety data sheets before dumping anything new in a solvent tank. Both solvents have low acute toxicity, but Propylene Glycol Ether tends to release more vapors. It can carry a nose-burning smell and has a greater chance of irritating eyes and lungs if the workspace isn’t well vented. Some places, especially those shooting for a “greener” signature, are switching away from it because of these airborne irritants.
Dipropylene Glycol Ether, thanks to its lower volatility, pushes fewer vapors into the air. That makes daily life easier for repair techs and custodians who may handle these substances every day, often without top-tier ventilation. Still, gloves and goggles stay critical—long-term skin exposure builds up trouble, no matter which glycol ether you’re talking about.
I’ve watched folks puzzle over why a window cleaner streaks or why a paint won’t lay flat. Sometimes the answer rests with the glycol ether inside. Propylene Glycol Ether works better when you need that “quick hit”—wiping and drying glass or metal on a hot day, for instance. Fast drying takes the win.
Switch to Dipropylene Glycol Ether, and you gain more control. Maybe you’re printing a run of labels, or you’re formulating a wood finish that needs to glide before grabbing hold of the wood. That slower evaporation window can raise product quality, not just convenience.
People deserve honest info about what they’re using on the job or at home. It pays to read beyond the label. If fumes stake out your workspace, move to a slower-evaporating glycol ether or switch to products with better toxicity profiles. Making the right decision isn’t science fiction—it’s about combining hands-on experience, a careful read of the safety sheet, and knowing how people work each day.
The industry sticks with what works, but that doesn’t mean routines never change. As green chemistry keeps developing, companies look for solvents that cut health risks while still doing the job. If you’re in charge of procurement or just cleaning your kitchen window, understanding these real-world differences matters more than brand promises.
Dipropylene Glycol Ether sounds like a mouthful, but at its core, it's a workhorse in paints, cleaners, inks, and many other products found in daily life and workplaces. With years spent in a paint shop, I've seen firsthand how easily common sense gets lost when storing or moving chemicals. Avoiding headaches, both literal and legal, depends on how this solvent gets handled from the moment it arrives.
This solvent does a solid job cutting through grease and mixing with water, but it's not gentle on skin or lungs. Safety Data Sheets lay out symptoms like headaches, irritation, or drowsiness if you breathe too much vapor. Nobody wants to find out the hard way that it forms fumes that hang around in warm, closed spaces. Stories spread quickly about someone at a neighboring shop passing out near an open drum, all because ventilation fell short.
Chemical drums shouldn’t gather dust in any corner. Store dipropylene glycol ether in cool, well-ventilated areas away from direct sunlight and sources of ignition. Back in the shop, our best practice kept containers tightly sealed in a locked, dedicated chemical cabinet. Even a single open drum near heat could trigger a spill or worse. Every maintenance person who ever mopped up a leak knows spilled solvents love to find the nearest drain, so keep containers on pallets, far from walkways and drainage routes.
Don’t stack drums haphazardly; one careless lift with a forklift can end up costing more than a few written warnings. Both small containers and big drums should display clear labels. On busy days, confusion happens fast. People have grabbed the wrong solvent more than once. Labels showing hazards and dates keep mistakes down.
Opening or pouring dipropylene glycol ether never deserves shortcuts. Barrel pumps and spill trays are not signs of paranoia—they’re standard tools, put in place after enough workers suffered burns or chemical-soaked clothes. Gloves made out of nitrile, goggles, and even simple aprons keep exposure low. No matter how tough you feel, the smell of this stuff sticks.
Work around good ventilation. If you find yourself with a headache while pouring, you’re already breathing too much. Open windows and running exhaust fans should be the norm, not an afterthought. Keeping the floor dry and free from clutter pays off. Even after decades in business, the shops with the fewest accidents keep their chemical work areas swept and easy to navigate.
Spill kits, eyewash stations, and clear emergency instructions belong inside any facility using dipropylene glycol ether. Walkouts happen if management ignores these costs. Workers need training, not just signs on the wall. From fire drills to handling spills, run-throughs turn panic into action. Calling in experts for annual safety checks demystifies the process and keeps the workplace on its toes.
Regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration stand for a reason. Following those standards doesn’t just avoid fines; it keeps both people and businesses in good shape. From my own experience, a little respect and preparation go a long way.
Dipropylene glycol ether, often seen in cleaning products, paints, and inks, pops up because of its ability to dissolve greasy stuff and cut through grime without the harsh smells. Plenty of manufacturers still toss it into formulas aimed at both industrial and consumer use. Folks reaching for a “green” cleaner or water-based paint often hope the ingredient list isn’t hiding trouble for the planet. Is dipropylene glycol ether as mild on the earth as it feels on surfaces?
I’ve checked biodegradability data pulled from labs and government sources. Studies on this solvent show it gets broken down by microbes, but not as quickly as many of its alternatives. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists it as “readily biodegradable”—meaning that in the right settings, bacteria chew through more than 60% of it within 28 days. It’s not the worst, but it doesn’t clear the bar as fast as basic alcohols or organic acids. The catch is, conditions really matter. Stick this ether in a cold, low-oxygen landfill, and it hangs around a lot longer.
Water toxicity numbers paint a unremarkable picture. Aquatic life like fish and daphnia tend to tolerate dipropylene glycol ether at concentrations much higher than you’d encounter in any normal stream or river. It doesn’t bioaccumulate, so you won’t see it piling up in fatty tissues the way some industrial solvents do. If you’ve ever been bothered by scares over stuff like PCBs or certain pesticides, this product operates on a far gentler level.
That said, the route out of water treatment facilities matters a lot. Wastewater plants do a pretty good job scrubbing dipropylene glycol ether from the flow before it heads downriver. The molecule is big enough that it’s not sneaking through most filters, and bugs in the treatment tanks will get to work on it—so cities investing in solid water infrastructure can keep release levels fairly low.
Marketing sometimes paints solvents like these as “eco-friendly” based on one or two tests, but green branding gets slippery fast. While it’s certainly a step up from heavy-duty hydrocarbon solvents, calling this glycol ether completely harmless would be a stretch. Any chemical that takes more than a few weeks to break down can cause trouble if spilled repeatedly or dumped in bulk.
Some folks push for even more rapid breakdown—using solvents based on soy, sugar, or fermented alcohols, which break down in a matter of days. In my experience looking at ingredient sourcing, companies sticking with dipropylene glycol ether often do so because switching over would crumble paint integrity or blow up costs. But as pressure mounts for cleaner waterways, consumers and regulators are prodding labs to dig further, searching for blends that deliver muscle without the environmental tradeoffs.
Safer chemistry designs haven’t hit a full stride yet in every market. A consistent fix blends multiple ingredients—sometimes plant-based, sometimes synthetic—that mimic the cleaning and dissolving strengths without lingering. Testing regulatory approvals on newer compounds slows down change, but it keeps accidental disasters at bay. At the shop and on the shelf, it helps to check if brands supply real data. Any company willing to publish their testing, or at least be honest about how their solvents behave outside the lab, deserves a second look. Science, transparency, and accountability will always beat shiny labels or marketing buzzwords when trying to protect home and earth.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-(2-propoxypropoxy)propan-1-ol |
| Other names |
DPG Ether Dipropylene glycol monoether |
| Pronunciation | /daɪˈproʊ.piː.liːn ˈɡlaɪ.kəˌl ˈɛθ.ər/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 29911-27-1 |
| Beilstein Reference | 635239 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:82828 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL572944 |
| ChemSpider | 83639 |
| DrugBank | DB14109 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.218.344 |
| EC Number | 252-104-2 |
| Gmelin Reference | 84188 |
| KEGG | C19571 |
| MeSH | D003997 |
| PubChem CID | 8214 |
| RTECS number | JM1575000 |
| UNII | C0359XXY5N |
| UN number | UN 3272 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID7020372 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H14O3 |
| Molar mass | 134.18 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless transparent liquid |
| Odor | Mild odor |
| Density | 0.951 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Miscible |
| log P | 0.05 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.05 mmHg @ 20°C |
| Acidity (pKa) | ~16 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 13.8 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -7.58×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.418 |
| Viscosity | 2.9 cP (25°C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.35 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 344.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -589.65 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -4293.7 kJ/mol |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS08 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H319: Causes serious eye irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P271, P280, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P337+P313, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-2-0 |
| Flash point | > 96°C (205°F) |
| Autoignition temperature | 190 °C |
| Explosive limits | 1.1% - 14% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): 5,135 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | 5180 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| PEL (Permissible) | 100 ppm |
| REL (Recommended) | 50-100 mg/m³ |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | 500 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Tripropylene glycol methyl ether Dipropylene glycol methyl ether Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate Propylene glycol methyl ether Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether |
