Ethylene Glycol Hexyl Ether started to catch eyes around the mid-20th century, back when chemists searched for glycol ethers offering balance between solvency, volatility, and safety. It bridged gaps for cleaning, surface coatings, and industrial processes that other ethers could not fill so neatly. Demand for more specialized solvents boomed after industries realized traditional hydrocarbons could spark health and environmental worries. The chemical found its way into production lines, with early patent filings surfacing in the 1960s. Paint manufacturers, for example, began to tap its ability to dissolve pigments and adjust drying times. This chemical never made headlines, but over decades, its steady popularity in delicate formulas for cleaners and paints shows it earned its place through reliability.
Ethylene Glycol Hexyl Ether, sometimes showing up as 2-Hexyloxyethanol or EGHE, slips into a surprising number of products. The molecule blends a glycol segment with a hexyl group, shaping both performance and handling: one end loves water, the other gets along with oils. The liquid is clear and has a faint odor, not so strong it would overwhelm a workspace. Manufacturers usually package it in drum containers, ready for batching off into detergent bases, emulsifiers, and specialty paints. Its blend of low volatility and potent solvency makes it stand out in professional-grade window cleaners and inkjet formulations. Workers in these industries trust it to break through tough grime or to carry dyes without ruining equipment.
EGHE flows with a viscosity close to water. Its boiling point usually lands around 220°C, so it stands up well to heat-treating and heavy industrial use. The flash point—usually around 96°C—cautions users to keep an eye on ignition sources even though it resists catching fire under usual storage. Its molecular weight hovers near 162 g/mol. The nearly colorless nature of the liquid makes it suitable for clear-concentrate products. It mixes well with many common organic liquids, though less so with pure water than shorter glycol ethers. No matter the application, its persistent, subtle odor helps those using it notice leaks before they get out of hand.
Labels list CAS number 112-25-4, often followed by purity percentages upwards of 98%. Information like moisture content, residue after evaporation, and stabilizer levels show up on typical product data sheets. The UN number for shipping, packing group, and hazard pictograms guide logistics teams on how to handle drums safely. Technical sheets point out not only purity but recommended safe handling procedures and maximum allowable storage temperatures. Real labs run batch certifications to confirm that levels of heavy metals or aldehydes stay within published limits, reflecting customer demand for precise and consistent products.
Production generally relies on ethylene oxide and 1-hexanol reacting in the presence of acid or base catalysts, yielding large volumes at industrial scale. Continuous reactors offer advantages for cost and reliability, letting companies churn out steady supplies. Controls over reaction temperature and timing ensure minimal byproducts: the more tightly controlled, the less downstream purification needed. Most facilities recover and recycle unreacted starting materials, reducing waste and cost pressures. Engineers tackled plenty of challenges—like side-reactions producing heavier oligomers—by tweaking the catalyst or reaction conditions to optimize output.
In the lab, chemists can transform EGHE into esters, especially for specialized solvents or surfactants. The terminal alcohol group doesn’t just sit by idly—it can react to form ethers or even polyethers with the right partners. Chlorination, acetylation, and other modifications give birth to families of additives with new properties. Certain paint manufacturers combine EGHE with organic acids, creating slow-evaporating blends that extend open time without gumming up brushes. It also works as a precursor in making compounds that boost cleaning power or cut viscosity in tough chemical mixtures.
You might spot it listed as 2-(2-Ethoxyethoxy)hexane, Ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, or simply EGHE depending on the supplier. Brand names sometimes tack on numbers or extra syllables, but the chemistry inside each drum remains the same. In European and Asian directories, common trade names appear side-by-side with systematic IUPAC names, lending confidence when engineers cross-check between international specifications. Chemical buyers get used to scanning for the familiar CAS number, which helps cut down confusion when orders move through global suppliers.
Safety teams refer to SDS data to manage risks. While EGHE’s toxicity ranks lower than some old-school glycol ethers, direct skin contact or prolonged inhalation can still irritate workers. Good practice calls for nitrile gloves, eye protection, and strong ventilation, especially pouring big volumes or running hot processes. Spills or leaks should get cleaned up with absorbent materials, since puddles linger and can lead to slippery floors. OSHA and EU guidelines cap allowable airborne concentrations, which means measurement devices or badges often show up in larger production rooms. Facilities keep drum storage away from direct heat and stock spill kits nearby. Periodic safety drills train teams to handle minor incidents before they turn into bigger headaches.
Janitorial sectors lean heavily on EGHE for formulating tough but streak-free cleaners—especially in glass and hard-surface solutions. Inks and paints benefit from its ability to keep pigments dispersed smoothly, preventing clumping or streaking. Metalworking industries value it for its role as a degreaser and emulsifier, helping to pull cutting oils off steel parts after machining. Textile dyeing formulas often include small amounts to improve wetting, which soaks colors deeper into fibers. Trends in low-VOC regulations have led surface-coating manufacturers to review EGHE’s profile—some pivot away, others tweak blends to stay under new limits without losing performance. In labs, chemists use it as a stable carrier in certain assays or as a reaction solvent when water just won’t do.
Research teams spend time optimizing the balance between safety, price, and performance. In coatings, they investigate how small structural tweaks might offer even better drying properties or improve substrate compatibility. Analytical chemists track traces of decomposition across various environmental conditions, improving storage life down the line. At the university level, several research groups focus on glycol-ether interactions with biological tissues or how advanced formulations might break down under sunlight. Some startups now experiment with bio-based routes for producing hexyl ethers, hoping to cut fossil feedstocks and tap into sustainability trends. Patents keep rolling in detailing catalysts or process improvements, hinting at slow but steady innovation.
Most studies point to limited acute toxicity at exposure levels typical of regular handling, but repeated contact or heavy inhalation still bring potential health concerns. Animal results show mild eye and skin irritation; rare cases mention effects on blood parameters after heavy doses. Regulators in both Europe and North America have revisited glycol ether risk assessments more than once—leaving room for evolving workplace recommendations. Workers notice headaches or nausea after spending long hours in unventilated spaces with high concentrations, making real-world symptoms an early warning sign. Alternatives with even lower toxicity have entered the market, but corners of industry still value EGHE’s performance enough to keep it in the lineup, especially with robust industrial hygiene.
Sustainability conversations keep shaping the future for glycol ethers like EGHE. Regulations pressure companies to lower VOCs and improve safety, shifting research priorities. Green chemistry teams push for renewable synthesis; biobased glycol ethers stand as a tempting target. Cross-industry partnerships help streamline safer handling, recycling, and accident response training, making it easier for small businesses to handle the chemical responsibly. End users ask for performance without trade-offs, so R&D teams try to deliver new blends with less environmental impact but familiar dependability. If regulatory hurdles grow, industry may gradually sunset some uses while keeping EGHE on hand for applications where alternatives still can’t meet technical demands.
Ask a handful of people if they know about ethylene glycol hexyl ether, and most will shrug. It doesn’t have the household recognition of bleach or ammonia. Yet, this colorless liquid shapes the look, feel, and even the safety of things we touch daily. It carries a slightly sweet odor, but most folks recognize it only through the products it helps create—nail polish remover, cleaning sprays, industrial coatings, or paints. That’s the way of chemistry; often invisible, always present.
Walking through a hardware store, I spot shelves lined with paints, varnishes, and wall cleaners. These products owe their spreadability and effectiveness to well-chosen chemicals. Ethylene glycol hexyl ether stands out for keeping water and oil-based ingredients from separating, boosting the flow and texture of paints and cleaners. Old-school cleaning formulas left streaks, but modern mixes glide on smoothly and pick up stubborn grime with less effort.
Latex paints, for instance, dry smoother and resist brush marks thanks to this ether. Factories rely on it for coatings that need to dry even and tough, from car exteriors to factory floors. It helped me repaint my kitchen without those ugly tide lines along corners. More than once, I noticed how much less scrubbing it took to remove a greasy mark from the walls after switching to a cleaner that listed “glycol ether” on the label. That chemical wasn’t just a jumble of syllables; it saved me time and elbow grease.
Looking behind the scenes, the textile industry leans on ethylene glycol hexyl ether as a wetting agent. It brings dyes deeper into fabric, so colors stick and last longer through wash after wash. Testing labs use this chemical during research into new polymers and coatings. I’ve seen tech companies use it to engineer specialty films for electronic devices, since it dissolves tough resins and helps create dust-free surfaces.
Printing inks also rely on this glycol ether. Printers want their inks to dry just fast enough—not too quick, not too slow. It keeps the ink from clogging the nozzles or turning sticky inside the machine. Back in college, I worked part-time for a small print shop. The boss would check ink batches, grumbling if prints smudged. Only later did I learn one of the key tweaks involved changing the solvent mix, and ethylene glycol hexyl ether made all the difference in print quality.
Using chemical products, I always read the safety instructions. Exposure over long periods, especially at high concentrations, brings concerns like skin and respiratory irritation. Some countries set strict limits for workers handling glycol ethers. I’ve worn gloves and masks while cleaning up paint, never assuming a clear liquid is safe just because it smells a little sweet. The push for greener chemistry also drives companies to search for alternatives that offer similar performance with lower risks.
There is room for better labeling and public awareness, not to spark alarm but to foster smart choices. Each time I buy paint or a new cleaning spray, I ask about the ingredients and check for eco-labels. Industry can respond by phasing in safer substitutes or beefing up ventilation standards in workplaces. Consumers support that shift by seeking out products that balance performance and safety. The chemistry behind ethylene glycol hexyl ether doesn’t just make paint glide or stains vanish—it shapes the way we build, clean, and live. Being mindful about what we use benefits not just workers and consumers, but the planet as well.
Ethylene glycol hexyl ether shows up in cleaning supplies, paints, and plenty of industrial products. Sometimes just reading that chemical name feels intimidating, but I think about all the stuff under my kitchen sink that’s only considered safe because most people follow instructions.
I’m not a scientist, but after years of reading labels and safety data sheets for work, patterns jump out. This solvent can get absorbed by breathing in vapors or through skin contact. It isn’t as toxic as ethylene glycol (the stuff in antifreeze that can kill a dog with a few licks), but it isn’t exactly harmless, either. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, too much exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. Extended, repeated exposure raises bigger worries: liver and kidney issues have been noted in animal tests.
I once worked at a print shop where staff handled similar solvents daily. Gloves and ventilation weren’t just for show — workers with stubborn, unprotected hands ended up with rashes and headaches. One coworker joked about “solvent brain” days after a big spill. Jokes fade fast when headaches linger. You get a direct education on what those precautionary labels mean: personal protection isn’t optional.
Regulators pay attention to this stuff. OSHA, for example, places workplace exposure limits to keep vapor levels below what’s considered immediately dangerous. Still, a limit doesn’t mean “safe no matter what” — it means “don’t push this boundary.” The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists sets a threshold limit value at 25 parts per million for ethylene glycol hexyl ether. If you’re not sure what that means, think about how strong paint smells get in a tiny room. Take those warnings seriously.
In homes, most people won’t hit those industrial-level exposures, but even diluted products can affect sensitive folks. Kids are more likely to touch spilled liquids and rub their eyes right after. Ventilating the space and wearing gloves turns into a habit, not paranoia. That’s personal experience talking: house cleaning is a lot less miserable when your eyes don’t sting for an hour afterward.
Companies like using ethylene glycol hexyl ether because it dissolves grease and dries slower than alternatives, so you need less product to get results. Safer substitutes exist, but the switch takes money and research. On the shop floor or in the home aisle, people usually want what works. Regulators, on the other hand, have to look out for both long-term health and business realities.
Not everyone can avoid products with this solvent. Reading the fine print feels like a chore, but it can keep you from reaching for an unnecessary bandage or worse. Open windows. Put on gloves that aren’t falling apart. Don’t stick your face in the bucket. If the smell lingers well after use, you might want to look for alternatives next time.
People have learned these lessons the hard way. Staying healthy isn’t about banning everything with a scary name — it’s about knowing what you’re handling, and giving yourself a fighting chance to avoid the downside.
Ethylene Glycol Hexyl Ether tends to show up in workplaces that lean on solvents, especially those dealing with coatings, cleaners, or ink formulations. That means if you spend your days in a lab, a paint shop, or near industrial mixing equipment, this chemical probably lives not too far away. Every solvent has its quirks; for this one, the biggest concern is how it reacts to air, heat, and the hands that move it.
Leaving containers exposed can quickly lead to evaporation and unnecessary vapor buildup. Keeping drums and bottles tightly sealed stops leaks and saves money that would otherwise drift away into thin air. From experience, improper sealing often results in sticky residue, unpleasant vapors, and a chunk of change spent on replacing product lost to carelessness.
Ethylene Glycol Hexyl Ether breaks down faster at high temperatures. Leaving it near heat sources—like boilers, radiators, or even direct sunlight—just trims its shelf life and can create unnecessary hazards. The sweet spot tends to be in a dry, well-ventilated room kept cool. High humidity speeds up corrosion on the container, which sets the stage for leaks. I once saw a drum rust through in under a year after it was left on a concrete floor in a damp storage bay.
Moving liquids like this without the right tools is gambling with health. Personal protective equipment—think chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and a proper apron—doesn’t just check a box for safety officers, it saves skin and eyes from burns or irritation. During my time in chemical blending, even a single splash on bare skin reminded me that taking shortcuts isn’t worth the sting.
It pays to use pumps or sealed transfer systems instead of pouring by hand from heavy drums. Not only does this prevent spills, but it keeps hands away from vapor. It’s not just about protection; it’s about cutting down on cleanup time and making sure every ounce of product goes where it should.
In rooms without good airflow, vapors collect at nose height and can make breathing tricky. Installing local exhaust and keeping doors or windows open whenever possible stops headaches before they start. For locations that deal with big volumes, permanent ventilation systems keep concentrations below the point where they bother workers or trip alarms.
Spills do happen. Sorbent pads, neutralizing agents, and clear procedures matter. Trying to mop up solvent with towels leads to more fumes, slick floors, and sometimes, chemical reactions with the fabric. I’ve seen cleanup teams without proper materials spend hours on something a handful of sorbents could handle in minutes.
Every drum takes a beating as it gets moved and stacked. Clear, resistant labels avoid confusion, especially when the containers lose their shiny new look. In shared storage spaces, separating combustibles from oxidizers cuts risk, and signs with hazard symbols keep everyone on the same page.
Fire isn’t just an insurance scare—it’s a real threat. Storing this solvent away from sparks, open flames, or equipment that heats up keeps everyone safer. A line of extinguishers and an emergency shower nearby don’t just look good on a safety audit, they make a difference in a crisis. Regular checks, plus solid procedures drilled into every new hire, are what keep the small slip-ups from turning into full-blown disasters.
Regular training sessions strengthen good habits. Seasoned staff keep an eye on new hires and don’t let bad practices slide. Installing proper racks and secondary containment stops leaks from reaching drains, which makes cleanup less messy and keeps local regulations off your back. Relying on experience and common sense, a workplace can handle ethylene glycol hexyl ether just fine—without exposing people, products, or profits to unnecessary risk.
Ethylene Glycol Hexyl Ether, a solvent found across many industries, comes with a straightforward chemical formula: C8H18O2. Its CAS number is 112-25-4. These aren’t random figures. The CAS registry number works like an ID for tracking substances around the world, making research, safety data, and regulations accessible and unambiguous for the teams that need it.
A lot of times, people read product labels in the lab or at the warehouse and get lost in the sea of names. Some compounds go by three or four aliases; someone calls it 2-(2-hexoxyethoxy)ethanol, another calls it Hexyl Cellosolve. Having concrete identifiers cuts through confusion. No mix-ups, no mistakes – fewer risks.
I’ve worked with manufacturers who used Ethylene Glycol Hexyl Ether to clean paint lines or prep surfaces. I remember more than one old engineer who would only send out an order once the label matched the CAS number they expected. That caution protected their crews from grabbing the wrong drum or using a chemical with different hazards. Real life teaches respect for these details.
This solvent isn’t just a trivia item for chemistry geeks. It can get absorbed right through the skin. In high concentrations, breathing in fumes causes headaches, even nausea. Companies with a safety mindset post the full formula and CAS number on their wall charts and train everyone until they can recognize hazard symbols at a glance. Mistakes hurt people, but clear labeling steers things in the right direction.
Accidents often come down to a missed detail. Ethylene Glycol Hexyl Ether may not sound scary, but a technician distracted for just a moment can end up breathing vapor or spilling the solvent onto bare skin. Protective gloves and goggles, good ventilation, and a no-nonsense approach to chemical tracking save more than just property—they protect lives.
I saw a supplier’s catalog last year listing compounds just by trade names. That approach confuses, and it slows everything down at the loading dock. If procurement doesn’t lock down the right CAS number and formula, a simple order turns into a nightmare of returns and wasted time.
Regulation in different countries also ties chemical identifiers to standards and shipping controls. Customs officials look for the CAS number, not what companies call the product locally. Without consistent use of those numbers, shipments stall or get flagged, costing businesses trust and money.
Every factory, every supplier, should require prominent display of the chemical formula and CAS number on containers. Workers need environment-specific instructions and up-to-date data sheets in their own language. Strong policies around labeling, training, and use go a long way. I’ve watched a careless approach bring costly mistakes, but I’ve seen teams who nailed the details enjoy fewer incidents and better productivity.
Ethylene Glycol Hexyl Ether, with its clear identifiers, shows how small pieces of information make a huge difference in industrial safety and efficiency. Whether someone works in procurement, production, or transport, the formula and CAS number cut down on errors and create a safer workplace for everyone.
Ethylene glycol hexyl ether doesn’t make front-page news, but it’s no stranger in labs, factories, or garages. You find it in cleaners, paints, coatings—any place that needs a solvent. It can easily seep into skin or drift through the air, and that brings a bundle of health headaches. Breathing it in or letting it touch your skin isn’t a good idea. Workers in industrial spaces know that odd, sweetish smell, and many have learned the hard way that even a quick splash can lead to nausea, headaches, or skin irritation.
I remember once helping clean up in a print shop, and a bottle of this stuff tipped over. No one panicked, but the way people moved said everything—get everyone out, air things out, then suit up. Protective gear isn’t just for show. The faceshields, the thick gloves, the goggles—those are non-negotiable. No shortcut replaces good gloves and something to breathe through.
You can always spot the shops that treat spills seriously. The spill kits are easy to spot, not crammed in some corner gathering dust. You’ll see absorbent pads near benches, not just a mop and bucket. And the instructions—full-color printouts taped right where you can’t miss them.
Nobody wants to see a slick puddle, soaking into concrete or spreading to drains. Keeping that stuff from wandering off is step one. In a real world spill, folks walk fast to rope off the area and grab the kit. No dragging their feet because every drop can add up. Absorbents go over the puddle and more on the edges, blocking the spread. You don’t wait for it to dry out or hope ventilation solves it. Actual cleanup means scooping up pads and putting them in a drum set up for hazardous stuff.
The biggest mistake? Letting it hit a drain or ditch. Once chemicals start mixing with water or getting outside the building, the job gets bigger. Everyone ends up phoning local environmental groups because nobody wants their building on the evening news thanks to a chemical leak.
Folks forget that these spills can happen at home, especially with DIY projects. I’ve seen people toss rags soaked in solvents straight in the trash or hose off a driveway. Even outside a plant, that stuff has a way of finding storm drains or sticking on shoes.
Training isn’t a formality. People remember what they practiced way more than what they skimmed in a manual. Targeted safety drills get everyone thinking instead of following a checklist blindly. Bringing in real world stories—like the time a guy got a rash that lasted for days—sinks in better than any fine print on a label ever could.
I’d argue for transparency, too. Companies should share close calls and lessons learned, not brush them under the rug. Whether it’s a warehouse or a high school lab, open talk leads to quick action and better habits. At home, neighbors sharing news about a spill can keep pets or kids out of trouble.
Disposing of cleanup material means treating it like the real hazard it is—sealed, labeled, waiting for the right collection crew. Any shortcut just shifts the risk somewhere else, whether down a pipe or into landfill. Skip the half-measures and the neighborhood, the workers, and even the local wildlife benefit.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-(Hexyloxy)ethan-1-ol |
| Other names |
2-(2-Ethoxyethoxy)ethanol Hexyl Cellosolve Hexyl Glycol Ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether 2-Hexoxyethanol |
| Pronunciation | /ˌɛθ.ɪˌliːn ˈɡlaɪ.kɒl ˈhɛk.sɪl ˈiː.θər/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 112-25-4 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `/data/3D/JSMol-3D-MOL/2/2-ethoxyethoxy-hexane.mol` |
| Beilstein Reference | 1042450 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:81338 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1697652 |
| ChemSpider | 18410 |
| DrugBank | DB14163 |
| ECHA InfoCard | EC 211-490-7 |
| EC Number | 203-951-1 |
| Gmelin Reference | 70842 |
| KEGG | C19612 |
| MeSH | D007166 |
| PubChem CID | 82111 |
| RTECS number | MB8425000 |
| UNII | 3T5BX8LO2D |
| UN number | UN 3082 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID5020656 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C8H18O2 |
| Molar mass | 162.26 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Mild |
| Density | 0.889 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | miscible |
| log P | 0.56 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.07 mmHg @ 25°C |
| Acidity (pKa) | 14.7 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 15.21 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -65.5×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.424 |
| Viscosity | 2.9 mPa·s (25 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 3.51 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 389.1 J/mol·K |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -556.65 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -4812.7 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | D07AX |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302, H315, H319 |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P261, P280, P301+P312, P305+P351+P338 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-2-0 |
| Flash point | 93°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 215 °C (419 °F; 488 K) |
| Explosive limits | 1.1 - 10.6% (in air) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 Oral Rat 2,247 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (oral, rat): 2410 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | K150 |
| REL (Recommended) | 35 mg/m³ |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Unknown |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Ethylene glycol butyl ether Ethylene glycol methyl ether Ethylene glycol ethyl ether Ethylene glycol Diethylene glycol hexyl ether |
