Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether Product Description (CAS# 111-76-2)

Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (also known as butyl cellosolve) is chemically named 2-butoxyethanol; its molecular formula is C₆H₁₄O₂ and its molecular weight is 118.17. At room temperature, it is a colorless, transparent liquid with a mild ether-like odor. Its properties include a melting point of -70 to -75°C, a boiling point of 171.2°C, a flash point of 67.5°C (closed cup), and a density of 0.902 (20/20°C). Regarding solubility, it is soluble in water (dissolving in approximately 20 times its volume of water), miscible with ethers, alcohols, benzene, acetone, heptane, and many other organic solvents, and soluble in mineral oil. Industrially, it is primarily produced through the addition reaction of ethylene oxide and n-butanol. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether offers high solvency and excellent solvent performance; it features moderate volatility, a high boiling point, and a high dilution ratio with petroleum hydrocarbons. These unique properties make it highly valuable for applications across various fields, including coatings, inks, cleaning agents, pesticides, and organic synthesis.

Applications of Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether (CAS# 111-76-2)

Ethylene glycol butyl ether is an important organic ether solvent widely used across various industries, including coatings, inks, cleaning products, pesticides, and organic synthesis.

In the coatings and paint industry, it serves primarily as a solvent for nitrocellulose, spray paints, quick-drying paints, varnishes, enamels, and paint strippers; it is capable of dissolving nitrocellulose, natural resins, and ethyl cellulose. In the ink industry, it is utilized in ink manufacturing due to its high solvency and excellent solvent properties. In the cleaning products sector, it is used to formulate metal detergents, glass cleaners, and similar products. In the pesticide industry, it functions as a dispersing agent. In the adhesives industry, it serves as a diluent. In organic synthesis, it acts as an intermediate. Additionally, ethylene glycol butyl ether is used as a fiber wetting agent, a resin plasticizer, and a reagent for the determination of iron and molybdenum.