Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether often passes by the name Carbitol or Ethoxydiglycol in the chemical sector. A clear, almost sweet-smelling liquid, its chemical formula, C6H14O3, might read like a puzzle, but this makes sense to anyone who's handled solvents. With a molecular weight coming in at 134.17 g/mol, it's not particularly heavy, nor does it evaporate like lighter ethers. Every chemist who’s mixed a batch for surface coatings or ink manufacture knows it as a reliable solvent, working behind the scenes and pulling more than its molecular weight for decades. If you hold a container in the hand, you’ll notice it resists crystallization over a wide range of temperatures, remaining as a liquid, even in cool rooms.
Just looking at this ether, you see no color, no obvious signals of the work it’s performing. Being transparent helps in quality control—trust comes easier when you pour it out and it looks just as expected. The liquid shows low viscosity, sliding across glass with ease. Its density at 20°C clocks in at roughly 0.975 g/cm³, close to water but with a distinct, heavier mouthfeel—easy to spot after handling every day. The boiling point rests near 196°C, which keeps it stable during high-temperature processes in factories or laboratories. It remains stable as a liquid across a broad temperature range, solidifying only if conditions drop below freezing by a good stretch. In practical settings, you will never see it in forms like flakes, powder, pearls, or crystals. Always liquid, it works well for blending, because it dissolves in water, alcohols, and a long list of organic solvents. If you look up the HS Code for regulatory paperwork, it falls under 29094900, a detail often needed but rarely mentioned until customs paperwork hits your desk.
At a glance, its structure lays out two ethylene glycol units tagged with an ethoxy group—simple, yet this arrangement delivers some impressive solubility. With two ether linkages, the molecule plays well with both polar and non-polar chemicals. These are not just abstract features; these interactions explain why companies use it to thin paints, dissolve resins, and formulate coatings that need both strength and smooth application. Chemists like me appreciate the predictability here—a known reactant, easy to work with, minimal surprises if you respect the basics of organic chemistry. When you check the formula, C6H14O3, the oxygen atoms bring flexibility, and the carbon backbone supports stability, making it a go-to in both water-based and oil-based formulations.
Manufacturing plants, especially in paints, printing ink, cleaning fluids, and hydraulic brake fluids, rely on this solvent for one simple reason—performance. It doesn’t pop up as a solid, powder, or flakes, so no one shovels it on the production floor. In the industrial barrel, you’ll only find it as a bulk liquid, sometimes shipped in blue drums or intermediate bulk containers. A liter will typically roll out for laboratory or specialty use, but most tasks demand hundreds of kilograms. Because it’s able to dissolve stubborn materials and help with even surface distribution, the demand stays high in sectors chasing consistency and efficiency. Its role as a raw material or an intermediate, feeding into more complex syntheses, keeps it flowing through pipes and mixing tanks around the world.
Every solvent comes with a list of warnings, and Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether is no exception. Lab veterans and plant operators learn early to respect its hazard profile. Skin contact can cause irritation and absorption into the bloodstream—something gloves help prevent. Breathing its vapors in poorly ventilated spaces might lead to discomfort or longer-term issues, emphasizing the need for good airflow where it’s in use. The safety data sheets classify it as harmful, particularly when exposures pile up or accidents see it spilled across work surfaces. Unlike some raw materials that burst into flame at the first sign of a spark, this ether is not highly volatile. Still, proper storage means keeping it away from oxidizers and strong acids, and ensuring containers seal tightly to prevent slow loss and vapor buildup. Clearly marked labeling with warnings keeps everyone aware, which matters even more in fast-paced environments where overlooked signage can lead to mishaps.
Often, in specialty chemical plants or the production wings of pharmaceuticals, Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether earns its keep by acting as a trusted raw material. It feeds into reactions that synthesize more complicated molecules, blending easily due to its solvent properties and being easy to measure in both large and small quantities. For those in paint, dye, or cosmetic manufacturing, it helps disperse colorants or active substances across a solution, ensuring coverage that’s even and reliable. In fields requiring strong but flexible solvents, such as electronics or fiber optics, this chemical makes itself useful by supporting clean wipes, degreasing actions, or thin-film applications. Regular hands-on use teaches users that with proper controls, the potential hazards remain manageable, but that no chemical is “safe” if handled carelessly or stored under the wrong conditions.
Every drum leaving a factory calls for clear labeling due to transport regulations. With an HS Code of 29094900, shippers and customs agents know exactly what’s on board and how to handle it. As a material with recognized risk factors, it demands secure, leakproof containers and manifests noting hazard statements. For anyone moving chemicals across borders, experience shows that lack of attention to paperwork or mislabeling can mean delays or rejections. Staying updated on international chemical code requirements avoids those problems and keeps shipments on track.
