Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether, often found in chemical catalogs by its formula C4H10O2, carries the CAS number 110-80-5 and HS Code 2909499090. It stands as a clear, colorless liquid, earning attention for its role among solvents. Most chemists and factory operators know it as a key raw material in coatings, inks, and cleaning products. Beyond industrial plants, this glycol ether often pops up in laboratories. Its molecular structure—a two-carbon ethylene chain connected to a glycol group, topped off with an ethyl tail—gives it properties not easily matched by simpler alcohols or ethers.
Most folks notice right away from the Material Safety Data Sheet: Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether flows like water. Its density sits close to 0.92 g/cm³ at standard temperature. It boils at about 135°C and brings a faint, sweet smell that doesn’t remind anyone of vinegar or strong spirits. It pours well and doesn’t leave behind residue—a reason it's used to wipe down machinery. While it shares the word "glycol" with familiar antifreeze, it behaves quite differently. Many chemical suppliers ship it in liquid form, though in rarer setups, you might see it crystallize if someone ignores proper storage. Though "flakes" or "pearl" terms pop up for some compounds, you want Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether in a tight, leakproof can or drum—never as a solid powder.
The molecule draws its punch from the combination of ether and alcohol groups. Its molecular weight clocks in at about 90.12 g/mol. Lab techs working late shifts will tell you: the mix of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties in this ether lets it slip between polar and non-polar substances with ease. This strange duality brings usefulness to paint strippers, detergents, and some specialty pharmaceuticals. You can spot its structure on a chemistry chart, showing the oxygen atom bridging the ethyl and glycol portions—building a tiny backbone that resists quick evaporation, even under pressure.
Suppliers list specifications with an eye on purity, moisture content, and acidity. Most technical grades aim above 99% purity. Water content matters because too much spoils chemical reactions in solvents. Unlike some industrial chemicals, Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether is seldom sold in pellets, flakes, or powder—always as liquid. Glass bottles, steel drums, or sturdy plastic containers keep it safe during transit. Bulk buyers usually see shipping available by the liter, 200-liter drum, or IBC tote size. Some facilities add stabilizers to prevent unwanted reactions if shipped long distances, especially when humidity climbs.
Anyone opening a container needs to show care. Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether earns a hazardous label for several reasons. It absorbs fast through the skin and travels into the bloodstream, which can pose a health risk. Chronic exposure links to liver and kidney problems, so gloves, goggles, and fume hoods become standard tools wherever this solvent sits on the worktable. This ether lights up quickly—its flash point sits just above 40°C—so keeping it away from sparks or open flames stands as rule number one. Storage calls for dry, ventilated rooms, and empty containers must not be forgotten as fumes hang around after draining. Even a capful can go unnoticed, but concentrated vapors indoors drive up risk for headaches and coughs.
This chemical plays a quiet but real role in paints, coatings, and rubber manufacturing. Many businesses lean on it to dissolve dyes, break down tough resins, and help surfactants mix into cleaners. On the shop floor, Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether makes it possible to lay down smooth finishes on wood or metal because it slows down drying just enough for a proper coat. Electronics cleaners, shielded from static, often hold this glycol ether for stubborn grease. I first handled Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether as a junior lab assistant testing cleaning strength versus other solvents, and small changes in quality could mean a batch of cleaner worked well or left a sticky mess. Factories tweaking production lines see it as a jack-of-all-trades for formulations that can’t settle for water alone.
The pathway to Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether starts with basic petrochemical reactions. Producers source it from ethylene oxide reacting with ethanol—a reminder that major chemical plants and refineries play the long supply chain game. Pricing swings up or down depending on crude oil rates, industrial demand, and trade policies affecting import duties under the HS Code. Over time, anybody in procurement learns to watch global shipping trends just to keep continuous supply, as delays or price jumps force adjustments in manufacturing schedules and recipes. Markets driving coatings and electronics lean heavily on reliable deliveries, especially where this ether provides unique solvent action that nothing else in the catalog quite replicates.
Experience on the shop floor matters. Seasoned workers treat Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether with old-school respect—vented hoods, nitrile gloves, and safety goggles never get skipped. Spills clean up right away with absorbent pads, followed by careful detergent rinses. Empty cans get tagged for hazardous waste pickup. Small labs and big plants alike must follow local and international rules for disposal to cut down on environmental harm. Not long ago, regulators began pushing for safer alternatives or stricter controls to reduce exposure risk for workers. Engineers came up with new ventilation layouts, and manufacturers dialed back concentrations in cleaners, all in an effort to keep old risks from turning into health claims or factory shutdowns.
For anyone working with Ethylene Glycol Ethyl Ether, change rarely comes easy. Many chemical engineers look for greener options that won’t sacrifice cleaning power or dry time in coatings. Finding replacements might mean more testing, trying to match viscosity, evaporation rate, and safety all at once. Manufacturers caught between product performance and regulatory pressure look at reformulation costs but also consider the long-term benefits of safer workspaces and reduced environmental risks. Collaboration between industry, researchers, and regulators grows each year. Each gradual improvement knocks down exposure rates and opens doors to alternative materials—aiming for the same results, minus the health or fire concerns that cast a long shadow over one of the world’s most dependable ether solvents.
