Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether Acetate carries the chemical formula C6H12O3, blending the traits of both ethers and acetates. Popular among chemists, the liquid often shows up as a clear, colorless substance, drifting a faint fruit-like aroma through workspaces. I have stood above open beakers, watched the shimmering, near-water viscosity, and known in an instant how quick it moves in comparison to heavier glycols. In labs and warehouses, it’s shipped most often in drums marked with the HS Code 29153200. This code signals exactly how to tax, transport, and store it globally, which matters if you want to keep regulators and shipping officers satisfied. Staying familiar with its identifiers clears up confusion between this and similar glycol ethers.
Examining the chemical structure, you see a backbone of ethylene glycol, with an ethyl group on one end and an acetate at the other, forming an ester. Holding a model of the molecule, each atom links logically, balancing solubility in water and organic solvents. I remember the first time dissolving resin paints using this acetate; the transition was smooth, making me appreciate its solvent power over more aggressive chemicals. Its molecular weight lands around 132.16 g/mol, and you encounter a measured density averaging 0.97 g/cm³ at room temperature. The boiling point hovers near 156°C, which helps during distillation efforts, minimizing losses from evaporation. Bottles must seal tightly on benches, as the vapor can mingle with air and catch fire with enough energy. Flexible in application, the liquid state keeps it easy to pour or weigh for many industrial uses, though care matters when skin or eyes meet the raw solution.
Every encounter with Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether Acetate brings the same smooth viscosity, easy pouring, not the tackiness found in heavier glycol-based solvents. In its pure state, it flows steadily in vials, rarely showing any cloudiness or crystal formation at room temperature. Some bulk shipments arrive in tanks that must remain out of extreme heat or cold, as temperatures below freezing nudge the compound toward crystallization. For storage, keeping solutions away from oxidizing agents limits unwanted degradation; no powder, flakes, pearls, or solid varieties exist on the main market for this chemical. For anyone used to handling chemical powders, the switch to a mobile, low-density liquid means handling spills gets messy fast—absorbent mats and gloves become your best friends.
Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether Acetate emerges from a blend of common raw materials: Ethylene oxide, ethanol, and acetic acid. Factories produce the liquid by etherification and acetylation, lining up the molecular pieces with clear precision. Large bags of ethylene oxide and drums of acetic acid feed reactors before separating off the finished product. This acetate solvent stands out in the world of paints, printing inks, and cleaning agents. On pressrooms, technicians trust it to lift dried pigments without scraping or damaging surfaces. In electronics, I have wiped circuit boards clean of stubborn residue, counting on this glycol ether to dissolve oils without slowing production lines. Regulations stress its use as a material for coatings that must resist both water and various hydrocarbons.
Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether Acetate carries health risks that demand respect. Anyone who has spilled this solvent on exposed hands knows how fast it moves through the skin, so nitrile or neoprene gloves become part of the daily uniform. Inhalation of vapors, even in small volumes, may trigger dizziness or headaches, and chronic exposure can push liver and kidney function toward dangerous territory. The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) sets strict ventilation rules to limit atmospheric concentrations below 20 ppm—smart facilities invest in strong fume hoods and clear labeling around chemical storage areas. Fires spark fast if open flames move near the open container, with a flash point just under 49°C. Emergency showers stand nearby in most labs; I worked once in a plant where a single splash prompted the entire line to stop, everyone watching for signs of exposure. It pays to train everyone who goes near this material, teaching the warning signs of overexposure and first aid steps in a crisis.
Each drum or liter container carries details on acidity (often below 0.1%), water content (kept lower than 0.05%), and percent purity (typically above 99%). These numbers matter for end products—paint films need purity for lasting adhesion, cleaning agents need low water so residues do not form. Analytical labs run infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography on each batch, confirming the right structure, density, and molecular makeup. Failures here stall production, costing hours while the QA team double-checks raw data. From years of seeing inspection reports pile up, I’ve learned manufacturers who track specifications closely ship fewer recalls and avoid tough questions from consumer safety agencies.
Best practice calls for storing Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether Acetate in well-ventilated, temperature-controlled rooms, far from sunlight or sources of static. Steel drums and proper secondary containment stop leaks from reaching drains or soil. Any lost solvent in rivers or streams worries environmental regulators—its breakdown products strain water treatment plants. Some places have begun phasing out glycol ethers in favor of less toxic esters or bio-based solvents; paint and cleaning industries face long proofs before swapping one material for another. My experience with replacement efforts shows transitions often start with careful pilot testing, comparing the familiar solvent’s performance to green alternatives. Next, teams analyze lifecycle impacts and create disposal plans focused on reducing vapor release and groundwater contamination.
Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether Acetate, with its familiar chemical structure and straightforward physical characteristics, keeps production lines humming in many industries, though its hazards place a real burden on safe handling procedures. All manufacturers, chemists, and end-users share the job of knowing its behavior by heart—reading labels, checking property sheets, investing in training, and caring about what happens when products reach the end of their useful life. Moving forward, safer substitutes and robust protective steps shape the way companies balance efficiency, innovation, and public health.
