Chemists working through the twentieth century saw the world change faster than anyone could keep up, and the chemicals people rely on daily didn’t arrive overnight. Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether (TGME), like other glycol ethers, first popped up as a direct answer to rising demand for effective solvents. Remember the boom in plastics, paints, and resins? That drove research into new ethers. TGME’s story fits into that larger chemical arms race—refiners kept experimenting with longer glycol chains, adding ether groups, testing what improved stability or lowered evaporation rates. By the time mid-century industry hit full steam, researchers had figured out that certain modifications offered up solvents with unique advantages—less hazardous than some aromatic hydrocarbons, less volatile than more basic glycol ethers. So, TGME started showing up in specialty applications right where people noticed standard glycol ethers falling short.
Forget off-the-shelf paint thinner—TGME lives in a different world. This compound typically serves manufacturers looking for something that balances solvency power, chemical stability, and a relatively gentle profile for sensitive blends. It belongs to the family of polyethylene glycol ethers but takes its unique twist with a methyl group at one end. That slight structural difference gives it a leg up in dissolving challenging substances and keeping them in solution, especially where products demand both water and oil compatibility. Most suppliers package it in drums or bulk containers, hitting markets in industries ranging from high-performance coatings to advanced electronics.
People working in labs notice that TGME pours out as a colorless, clear liquid and doesn’t carry a heavy odor, which makes long days much easier than some alternatives. Its boiling point lands around 275°C, and it barely registers any vapor pressure under ordinary conditions. High boiling point means less worry over rapid loss by evaporation and stronger performance in closed systems. Its miscibility with both water and organic solvents gives engineers flexibility—less guessing, more precise batch compositions. Chemical stability means TGME resists common breakdown routes under most handling conditions, so users bank on steady results through repeated cycles. Viscosity sits comfortably in a manageable range, helping with smooth flow in automated mixing setups.
Manufacturers list technical grades by minimum purity—often above 99% with water content kept low. They’ll break down common impurities, so buyers know what to expect for sensitive downstream uses. Labels cover CAS number (112-35-6), UN code, and hazard symbols, pointing to both flammability and moderate toxicity. Storage guidelines stress tight sealing and protection from excessive heat, as glycol ethers, even stable ones like TGME, can attract moisture or slowly degrade under extreme conditions. Most facilities keep safety data sheets attached to every drum, detailing everything from flash point (about 135°C) to recommended personal protective equipment for transfers and spills.
Producers synthesize TGME using stepwise alkoxylation. Ethylene oxide reacts with methanol, but in a careful, controlled way—one ring at a time, not a runaway chain that would bring unwanted byproducts. Each step adds another ethylene glycol unit to the chain, with thorough cleanup and purification following each batch. I’ve seen plant techs monitoring temperature like hawks, because even a slight jump can throw off yields, or worse, create hazards nobody wants to deal with. Engineers keep refining catalysts and reactor designs, nudging efficiency bit by bit as demand edges upward. The process now uses less energy and generates fewer side-streams than it did decades ago, showing both economic and environmental progress.
The methyl ether end caps provide both a shield and a handle. On one hand, that –OCH₃ group resists acidic hydrolysis and limits oxidative changes, so TGME stands strong in stubborn applications. On the other, under specific conditions it’ll go through ether cleavage, making room for chemists to anchor more complex groups to the backbone. The polyethylene glycol chain stays open to further alkylation, chain extension, or side reactions if you push the right buttons in the lab. I’ve watched teams modify the molecule to graft segments for surfactants, lubricants, or bespoke polymers—these changes feed new application streams while starting with the reliability known from the parent compound.
Look for TGME under alternative names: 2-(2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)ethanol, methyl tetraethylene glycol ether, and even PEG4 methyl ether in some scientific catalogs. Chemical suppliers often group it with other glycol ethers, so the right match hinges on double-checking CAS numbers alongside trade names. Some companies brand their own versions, layering in slightly different purification or packaging; savvy buyers invest in a trial run to confirm compatibility with their own equipment, because even small process deviations change how a batch works in a scaled-up environment.
Workers know that despite the mild smell and liquid form, TGME deserves careful handling—long-term studies show moderate toxicity, especially with repeated skin contact or inhalation of mists over time. Standard practice includes gloves, goggles, and closed transfer systems to keep exposure low. Spill protocols require containment, often using absorbent pads or inert barriers, followed by careful cleanup—no shortcuts in safety. Fire risk remains below some flammable solvents, due to higher flash point, but storage away from open flames and strong oxidizers remains the norm. Disposal calls for a licensed hazardous waste provider, since improper handling could harm aquatic environments. Plant managers focus on training and updating safety drills as processes evolve, recognizing that familiarity sometimes breeds carelessness if the culture falls behind.
TGME sees the most action behind the scenes—in formulation labs for paints and coatings, as a carrier for specialty inks, and in electronic cleaning fluids. Product developers lean on its broad solvency profile to tackle stubborn resins and oils that would otherwise require two or three different solvents mixed together. In battery cell manufacture, TGME acts as a carrier for conductive salts, proving less reactive than other candidates. Medical research sometimes taps this glycol ether for its mild balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, opening doors to novel drug delivery routes. I’ve known engineers who swear by TGME for cleaning delicate precision optics, since residue risk lands low when standard rinsing concludes. Its growth doesn’t get flashy headlines, but in every sector needing high-performance, low-volatility solvents, TGME turns up as a reliable workhorse.
Scientists keep pushing the envelope beyond ordinary solvent duties, testing TGME for compatibility with emerging polymer chemistries and nanomaterials. Project teams work on greener production, aiming to cut down on waste and energy demand by making subtle shifts in catalysts or reactor conditions. Analytical chemists dig into minute impurities, measuring effects on sensitive electronic components, pushing suppliers for ever-stricter thresholds. Lab-scale studies often center on tweaking the chain length or altering the ether group to discover the difference in performance, and sometimes that leads to a surprise boost in efficiency or stability in unexpected applications. Collaborative R&D with end-users helps fine-tune properties, keeping TGME relevant as neighboring compounds lose favor due to evolving regulations.
Toxicologists take the long view, not just in acute exposure but also in chronic, low-level contact during manufacturing and product use. TGME ranks somewhere between low and moderate risk compared to related solvents, but findings urge respect: animal studies highlight liver and kidney effects at high doses, making a strong case for tight workplace exposure limits. Environmental tests show TGME degrades slowly in water or soil, sparking debate about sustainable disposal versus recycling routes. Industry groups regularly update safety guidelines as new data accumulates, and regulators in Europe and North America keep tabs on emerging research around glycol ethers in general. Current tools—fume hoods, PPE, air monitoring—cut down personal risk, but I’ve seen ongoing pressure to automate more steps, removing human operators from close contact altogether.
Companies scanning the horizon for safer, “greener” chemicals view TGME’s chemical balance as a promising foundation. Researchers look to bio-based synthesis routes, aiming to capture both renewability and the solvent’s dependable performance. Digital modeling and automation promise quicker screening of slight molecular tweaks, seeking even lower toxicity or higher stability in extreme-processing environments. Battery designers and electronics firms need higher-purity and more specialized glycol ether blends; every innovation in these tech spaces drives up demand for high-quality TGME or its close cousins. Regulatory shifts, especially in Europe, challenge suppliers to stay ahead with upgraded safety benchmarks and transparent lifecycle analyses. TGME, originally born from the push for better industrial solvents, now rides waves of technological change poised to keep it in labs, factories, and research centers for years to come.
Some chemicals rarely get talked about unless you work in a lab or a factory. Tetraethylene glycol methyl ether is one of them. It pops up here and there in conversations about paints, inks, cleaning, and even electronics, but the regular person never gives it much thought. Maybe they should, though, because it touches a lot of products we see daily.
Almost every household has stuff with solvents in them. From paint thinners to specialty cleaners, these products need the right chemical to keep them stable and effective. Tetraethylene glycol methyl ether steps in as a versatile option in this space. Paint makers often rely on it to help dissolve tricky pigments, giving those bright wall colors a chance to shine without streaks or lumps. Printing ink makers also appreciate how it slows down evaporation, making prints sharper and less prone to smudging.
Industrial cleaners aren’t the same as what we use at home, but they still need to cut through grease and grime fast. This ether helps in cleaning formulas by breaking down oily residues that would otherwise need a lot of elbow grease and time. Floor cleaners, glass sprays, and even heavy-duty degreasers sometimes stick this ingredient in the mix to ramp up performance.
Chip factories and electronics giants don’t pick chemicals randomly. They look for stable behavior, low toxicity, and reliability. Here, tetraethylene glycol methyl ether serves as a carrier or a solvent in processes where purity and consistency matter. It helps clean delicate surfaces and works as part of the solution set for producing certain electronic components. Few people think about what keeps microchips spotless during production, but this chemical plays its part.
Not every chemical found in commercial products causes health scares, but there are still important safety checks. While companies seem to like using tetraethylene glycol methyl ether due to its relatively low acute toxicity, people working with it directly should still wear gloves and goggles. The fumes can irritate eyes and skin. Long-term studies haven’t raised major red flags yet, but the jury stays out on extended, high-concentration exposure. For now, safety data sheets guide workers on how to handle it without taking unnecessary risks, and ventilation remains important in places using this ether.
As the world grows more conscious about chemical exposure, words like “biodegradable” and “non-toxic” started showing up in more R&D meetings. Industries keep pushing toward greener alternatives. For tetraethylene glycol methyl ether, there aren’t many drop-in replacements that offer all the benefits without the risks, but that will likely change as research steps up. Eating up less time scrubbing, using less product, and keeping performance high—those are goals that keep new materials on the horizon. Until then, careful handling and open info-sharing about this ether’s risks do the job.
Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether, often called TEGME, sports a chemical formula of C11H24O5. Its CAS number—essential for anyone who’s dealt with chemical catalogs or safety sheets—stands as 2374-38-9. Folks in labs and factories use these identifiers all the time, not just for bragging rights or for ordering supplies. They keep people on the same page, especially when trade names and acronyms start blurring together.
A formula like C11H24O5 tells a story, even if you can’t see it at first glance. Each atom packed in that line holds the secret to how this ether moves, dissolves, and reacts. It matters to someone running a manufacturing line because one wrong turn—a different glycol ether, say—changes everything about evaporation rate or toxicity. CAS numbers help avoid that kind of headache. They’re not just bureaucratic; they anchor you to the right substance, no matter if you’re reading a Chinese, American, or German label.
I’ve seen TEGME show up in places most folks wouldn’t expect. Paint formulators depend on it to keep pigments and solvents from separating too soon. Some printers need it inside their ink tanks to help the ink stay stable and flow smoothly. Its gentle solvency and slow evaporation can mean safer factory air and longer work windows for coatings or electronics assembly. Nobody likes breathing clouds of aggressive solvents, so there’s some comfort knowing companies have gentler options.
Years ago, I worked with a crew cleaning caked-on adhesives from printing machinery. The regular solvents made our eyes water and left us lightheaded after just a few minutes. Swapping in a glycol ether cut the fumes and irritation, but not all ethers were the same. Sorting them out in the supply room by formula, not just by trade name, steered us clear of some regrettable mix-ups.
One fact: chemical mix-ups cost real money. A mislabel might ruin a batch or send workers home sick. That’s why getting the right CAS number and formula makes such a difference to people sorting, using, and shipping chemicals. Techs downstream depend on that accuracy for everything from safe mixing to meeting environmental regulations. I’ve watched folks spend hours calling suppliers (and playing email tag) to clear up a mix based on outdated names. If every shipment, bottle, and sheet carries those key numbers, lots of headaches get avoided before they can start.
Even with low-toxicity ethers, personal protective equipment (PPE) means fewer problems for everyone exposed. Good labeling and reliable product data matter to more than just chemists. Shipping teams, warehouse workers, and janitors all end up safer thanks to proper identification and handling instructions. I remember an experienced warehouse lead reminding new hires, “Don’t trust the label—check the number.” That wisdom, simple as it sounds, came from years of seeing close calls that smarter documentation could have stopped.
As more industries switch to lower-impact chemicals, the details—like C11H24O5 and 2374-38-9—move from back-office trivia to front-line tools. Reliable information helps folks avoid wasted time, money, and safety risks. Clear communication about chemicals isn’t just a regulation—it's a relief for anyone who’s ever been stuck sorting through incomplete records or sticky residues left by the wrong solvent.
People throw around chemical names like Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether and it’s easy to tune out unless you’re working in a lab. But the story here touches on more than just guys in goggles and lab coats. Chemicals like this one pop up both in industrial settings and in products regular folks use at home. The real question comes down to: should anyone worry about toxicity or health issues?
Most workplace safety data sheets put Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether (sometimes called TEGME) in a category that says “handle with care, but don’t panic.” Direct skin or eye contact often causes irritation. Swallowing or inhaling large amounts? Not smart, and not something most people plan on doing each day. There’s research showing the vapor, when it gets thick in the air, can mess with your lungs or even get into your bloodstream and cause headaches, fatigue, or worse, organ effects. So, routine exposure needs controlling.
What’s surprising is that, despite how long this chemical has been around, there’s very little long-term research about what small daily exposures do. I’ve seen this myself after years of working near folks who handle solvents. Some coworkers, especially those who skipped gloves or didn’t bother with open windows, ended up with rashes or coughs. Health agencies like OSHA and NIOSH don’t toss out strict limits on TEGME like they do for paint strippers or certain glues. But for people in chemical plants, print shops, or big factories, this stuff adds up. Even if one day’s exposure seems minor, years can tell a different story.
Here’s where plain experience comes in. In my shop days, the fastest way to end up at the doctor’s office always started with ignoring gloves or thinking, “just a minute with this solvent won’t hurt.” That thinking only lasts until a spill or splash happens. Every product label and chemical drum I’ve ever seen that mentions Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether comes with suggestions: solid gloves, goggles, and good air flow. That’s not just legal talk. Folks have reported burning eyes, headaches that don’t quit, even dizziness from getting a snootful of vapor. Some of these symptoms go away, some linger. No manager worth their salt lets workers cut corners on this stuff.
I reached out to a few industrial doctors over the years, asking about these so-called “low toxicity” solvents. The answer’s always “We’d like more data.” If a substance is proven dangerous, companies and safety agencies clamp down hard. If it hugs the gray area, it slips under the radar. So the best move is to treat TEGME the way you’d treat any unknown: not as harmless, but not as instant death either. If you smell it strong, you’re probably getting too much. If it gets on your skin and burns or rashes show up, wash off and see a doc. From experience, ignoring the small stuff often means bigger problems down the line.
Here’s the deal. Smart companies put in exhaust fans and hand out personal protective gear. Some have swapped to less risky cleaners, even if they cost more, just because it cuts sick days. At home, look for safety iconography and think twice before using strange solvents indoors without good ventilation. Spills happen, but washing up quick and keeping the area clean makes a difference. Parents need to keep these bottles out of reach — kids have a way of getting into cabinets faster than you think.
Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether doesn’t scare headlines much, but that doesn’t mean it’s a free pass to skip safety. Listen to your skin, your nose, and your lungs. And if something seems off on the label, find an alternative before you regret it later. I’ve learned the lessons from cuts, burns, and bad air, and the best solution usually starts with simply reading the label and wearing the right gear.
Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether slides under the radar for most people, but it finds its way into places like solvents and specialty fluids. News of mishandling does not go viral, yet unsafe practices can bring real harm. Thinking back to my years working in a small lab, I’ve seen what happens when chemicals don’t get the respect they deserve—small leaks evolve into big headaches, and ignoring labels multiplies risk. There's wisdom in paying attention before trouble starts.
You don’t want something as volatile as Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether tucked away on a crowded shelf next to a coffee mug or sitting under a sunny window. This ether likes a cool, dry, and ventilated space, far from heat or open flames. The logic makes sense: high temperatures or sunlight pressurize vapors, bumping up the risk of release. In storage rooms feeling like a sauna, containers can swell or rupture. Walking through a chemical warehouse, rows set up with proper spacing and no clutter always bring a sense of security—clear aisles can mean the difference in a fast evacuation.
Plastic and stainless-steel drums have proven their worth for chemicals like this. Other metals react or corrode, messing with purity and stability. In one manufacturing plant I visited, a batch of product spoiled for weeks before anyone caught a small leak where a metal seal had corroded. The cost stung—the lesson stuck.
Opening a bottle seems simple. Splash, sniff, done—except everyday carelessness paves the road to hospital visits. Gloves and splash goggles matter, even for quick tasks. Even folks who claim to “know the stuff” have paid with skin rashes or worse. Fumes drift, so fume hoods or good exhaust systems need to run before a cap comes off. One busy afternoon someone skipped the hood because “it’s just a little transfer”—a half hour later, the room reeked, and everyone was coughing. Working chemistry taught me: shortcuts with solvents make for long regret.
Spills do not clean themselves. You go for inert absorbents—like clay or sand—and have them nearby. Regular janitorial gear won’t cut it for chemical spills. Disposal brings its own rules; pouring leftovers down the drain only adds trouble for both pipes and downstream rivers. Local regulators—and sometimes company policy—spell out collection and disposal, no exceptions.
Accidents cost more than fancy containers. A 2022 report from the National Safety Council showed chemical incidents rack up nearly $150 billion per year in lost productivity, medical bills, and claims in the United States alone. Every avoided accident pays for itself. Insurance adjusters care—so do employees, who want to go home healthy.
Routine works: regular checks for leaks, clear labeling, and written records. Training isn’t just red tape. Turnover brings new hands, and one person not in the loop can sink even the tightest ship. Labeling keeps the right product in the right bottle and helps those responding in a crisis. Over the years, I’ve learned the same rules protect families at home—nothing fancy, just respect for what a label means.
Switching to less hazardous alternatives pops up in safety meetings, but as long as Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether sticks around for industrial needs, practical caution wins the day. Fresh air, proper barriers, and respect for chemical stability—these steps protect profits, people, and peace of mind. Storage and handling can make or break safety culture. In my own work, the simple act of asking “where should this go?” has kept more than one workplace running smoothly for years.
People who deal with chemicals every day know the value of a solvent that blends with both water and organic liquids. In labs and factories, versatility simplifies work and saves cash. Tetraethylene glycol methyl ether—sometimes spotted on chemical lists as TEGME—gets a lot of attention for these reasons. Folks use it in coatings, cleaners, inks, and batteries. The big question: Does it mix cleanly with water and organic solvents? If it does, people can skip worrying about layers and separation in their finished products or mixtures.
Let’s shine a flashlight on TEGME’s behavior. Most glycol ethers hold a reputation for blending with water. TEGME wears a “polyether” badge because of its several repeating ether units, all topped with a methyl group. These structures can shake hands with water. Pour TEGME into water and the mix looks clear—all the way through. No cloudiness, no layers, just one phase.
Beyond water, plenty of industries worry about organic liquids—things like alcohol, esters, or hydrocarbons. Put TEGME into a bottle with ethanol, acetone, or even aromatic solvents like toluene, and the two liquids join up without any fuss. This plays well for folks developing coatings or electrolytes for batteries. When a compound can mix with such a wide range of solvents, researchers and production techs get more room to play. They can experiment without switching solvents or wrestling with compatibility charts.
Often, production lines run faster when one solvent works in different steps. Cleaning, diluting, or mixing: TEGME can slide right in, no matter whether the ingredients point toward water-based or oil-based. This keeps tanks, pumps, and pipes from gumming up. It saves money since there’s less need for expensive adapters or specialized waste handling.
Beyond the factory, the environmental impact comes into play. If a chemical mixes into water, it tends to leave less residue behind during cleanup. Fewer messes mean safer jobs for workers and less worry about fumes or spills steering into drains. I’ve seen some plants shift their whole cleaning section over to glycol ethers like TEGME, just because of these practical benefits. They spend less time training new staff, and more time moving product out the door.
No chemical exists with zero risk, and TEGME has its own headaches. It’s not the cheapest solvent and doesn’t show up at every supplier. Sometimes, engineers discover that TEGME can carry chemicals deeper into the skin, making safe handling more of a priority. Safety protocols need to catch up with demand. Gloves, eye protection, plenty of ventilation—all of these lower the odds of a worker heading home with a headache or worse.
Not every organic compound wants to play nice, either. Some heavy oils or highly non-polar solvents still balk at the idea of blending fully with TEGME. But I’ve watched enough pilot-scale batches to know that the failures show up less often than the wins. Most blends work as planned; the exceptions usually show up in obscure, specialized corners.
What keeps TEGME in the toolbox isn’t just how it mixes, but how it can sometimes replace harsher, less environmentally friendly solvents. Teams always compare against older standbys. Making smart swaps—using a solvent that’s less toxic, easier to dispose of, and still does the trick—brings both peace of mind and business value.
Staying alert about hazards—reading safety data, putting protective gear within reach, and investing in basic training—lets people tap into TEGME’s advantages without paying the price for carelessness.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-Methoxyethoxyethoxyethoxyethanol |
| Other names |
2-[2-(2-Methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol Methyl Tetraethylene Glycol Ether Methyl Tetraeg Methyl Carbitol TEGME 4-Oxa-1,7-heptanediol, 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]- |
| Pronunciation | /ˌtɛ.trə.ˈɛθ.ɪ.liːn ˈɡlaɪ.kɒl ˈmiː.θəl ˈiː.θər/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 112-35-6 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `JSmol.loadInline("data:text/plain,Chemical structure data not provided; please supply the MOL or PDB data for Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether.")` |
| Beilstein Reference | 1720940 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:75849 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL2170549 |
| ChemSpider | 20807 |
| DrugBank | DB14006 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.045.328 |
| EC Number | 203-977-3 |
| Gmelin Reference | 1773103 |
| KEGG | C19137 |
| MeSH | D014162 |
| PubChem CID | 8205 |
| RTECS number | KL5950000 |
| UNII | R8D0Z315GA |
| UN number | UN3272 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID5044359 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C9H20O5 |
| Molar mass | 222.29 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless transparent liquid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.034 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Miscible |
| log P | -1.0 |
| Vapor pressure | <0.01 mmHg (20 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 14.7 |
| Basicity (pKb) | The basicity (pKb) of Tetraethylene Glycol Methyl Ether is **"7.52"**. |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | χ = -59.0×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.430 |
| Viscosity | 3.9 mPa·s (20 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 4.41 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 302.8 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -849.65 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -3488.7 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | D07AX |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | Harmful if swallowed. Causes serious eye irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-2-0 |
| Flash point | Flash point: 145°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 215°C |
| Explosive limits | 4.0–23% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 oral rat 4040 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (oral, rat): 6,660 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | KK8225000 |
| REL (Recommended) | 0.5 ppm |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not established |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Diethylene glycol methyl ether Triethylene glycol methyl ether Polyethylene glycol Tetraethylene glycol Tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether |
