Dipropylene Glycol Butyl Ether belongs in the world of glycol ethers, carrying the CAS number 29911-28-2 and the HS Code 290949. It shows up as a clear, colorless liquid with a faint, almost undetectable odor. The molecular formula is C10H22O4, and its molecular weight hits about 206.28 g/mol. Its chemical structure chains together two propylene glycol units capped by a butyl group, giving it a flexible backbone that dissolves both water and oil-based substances. No one will find this ether in powder, flakes, pearls, or crystal form—always a liquid, never a solid at room temperature. With a density close to 0.95 g/cm³ at 20°C, it slips easily between lighter and heavier solvents in mixes.
The liquid keeps a low vapor pressure, which means it evaporates at a slower pace than simple chemicals like acetone. It boils around 230°C, making it reliable for industrial work that doesn't call for anything explosive or volatile. In water, it proves itself readily soluble, but its butyl tail brings in more muscle for blending with oils, resins, and grease—not just water. That balance sets it apart from other glycols and explains its appeal across cleaning, painting, and coating industries. Because of this dual capability, factories and workshops don’t need to juggle as many solvents or grab something more potent and hazardous.
Manufacturers draw on dipropylene glycol and butanol as the main raw materials, cranking out dipropylene glycol butyl ether in chemical reactors using heat and acid catalysts to lock the molecules together. Once set, it heads out as a key ingredient in products ranging from heavy-duty cleaners to inks, coatings, and hydraulic fluids. In cleaning supplies, it cuts through grease and stubborn dirt without raising a stink or setting off fire alarms. In paints and coatings, it slows the drying process so paint won’t streak or leave uneven patches. Textile, printing, and agricultural chemical makers chase these same qualities.
A low viscosity helps dipropylene glycol butyl ether spread fast and mix easy, whether blended into floor stripper or used to thin out stubborn lacquers. The liquid feels a bit slick between the fingers—less greasy than engine oil, more substantial than alcohol. That 0.95 g/cm³ density points to a middle ground—there’s weight, but not so much that it sinks below water or pulls apart emulsions. It pours clear, skips the powder, crystal, and pearl forms, and never settles into solid at ordinary storage or operating conditions. Its refractive index stays at 1.420 - 1.425, pointing to its clarity and purity.
Nobody uses chemicals without thinking about safety. The Material Safety Data Sheet carries warnings. Breathe in a heavy dose, or get splashy around unprotected skin, and irritation soon follows. Absorbed through skin, it can chase headaches or tiredness. Labs test for its toxicity and find it less hazardous than many fast-acting solvents. Storage tanks should stay sealed, kept cool and dry, and set apart from direct flames or strong oxidizers. Spills don’t spark explosions, but good ventilation and eye protection always make sense. It seldom earns a flammable or explosive label, but caution never hurts, especially in high-volume shops doubling on chemicals.
Years spent working with janitorial and manufacturing supplies bring respect for smart solvent choices. Dipropylene glycol butyl ether often makes jobs easier and safer, stepping in where harsher goods once ruled the shelves. It handles sticky residues, oil stains, and dried paints without needing gloves thicker than winter mittens, and cuts down some chemical odors that lashed out in less sophisticated eras. In supply rooms, stacks of drums marked with its formula promise good results and fewer safety incidents than the wild mixtures sometimes found in older cleaner recipes. Chemical plants rely on it for a balance—strong enough to matter, gentle enough for daily use.
Any production involving chemicals calls for more than just good intentions. Factories need well-maintained gear: sturdy drums, tightly sealed containers, spill kits ready, and trusted protocols if someone spills a batch. Workers benefit from thorough training—knowing what gloves or masks to pick, and how to rinse out splashes. Some plants step further, using sensor systems to check air quality, or swapping in less potent substitutes in cramped spaces. Transport systems and storage rules follow international laws, cutting risk to people hauling these goods long-distance. By focusing on training, inventory control, and strong cleaning routines, businesses using dipropylene glycol butyl ether keep both the work and the workforce in safer territory.
