Butyl Glycol /Pharmaceutical Grade | 99.9% Purity | CAS 111-76-2

2-Butoxyethanol（Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether）
Properties
Melting point: -70 °C
Boiling point: 171 °C
Density: 0.902 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
Vapor density: 4.1 (vs air)
Vapor pressure: <1 mmHg (20 °C)
Refractive index: n₂₀/D 1.419(lit.)
Flash point: 140 °F
Storage condition: Store below +30°C.
Solubility: Miscible with water at 900 g/L
Form: Liquid
pKa: 14.42±0.10(Predicted)
Appearance: Clear liquid
pH Value: 7 (aqueous solution, H₂O, 20℃)
Odor: Mild, characteristic, slightly sour
Odor Threshold: 0.043 ppm
Explosion limit: 1.1-10.6%(V)
Water solubility: Miscible
Specific heat capacity: Cp(liquid): 2.38 J/(g·K) at 25℃
UV absorption:
λ: 230 nm Amax: 1.0
λ: 250 nm Amax: 0.10
λ: 275 nm Amax: 0.05
λ: 300-400 nm Amax: 0.01
Merck: 14,1559
BRN: 1732511
Henry's Law Constant (×10⁻⁶ atm·m³/mol): 2.36 (estimated from water solubility and vapor pressure)
Exposure limits:
ACGIH: TLV-TWA 20 ppm (97 mg/m³)
OSHA: PEL-TWA 50 ppm (240 mg/m³)
NIOSH: REL-TWA 5 ppm
Dielectric constant: 5.30
Cosmetic functions: Solvent, fragrance ingredient, viscosity controlling agent
CAS No.: 111-76-2
InChI: 1S/C6H14O2/c1-2-3-5-8-6-4-7/h7H,2-6H2,1H3
InChIKey: POAOYUHQDCAZBD-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: CCCCOCCO
LogP: 0.81 (20℃)
NIST Chemical Information: 2-n-Butoxy-1-ethanol
IARC classification: Group 3 (Vol. 88, 2006)
EPA Chemical Information: Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether
Introduction
2-Butoxyethanol is an important derivative of ethylene oxide. It is an environmentally friendly solvent, a colorless liquid with molecular weight of 118.17, distillation range 163～174℃. It features low volatility, specific gravity of 0.9019, boiling point 171.1℃ and flash point 60.5℃. It is miscible with water and hydrocarbon solvents such as linseed oil. It exhibits strong dissolving capacity for natural and synthetic rubber, and can be used as solvent for rosin, shellac, kauri gum, indene resin, ethyl cellulose and nitrocellulose.
Physical Properties
2-Butoxyethanol is a colorless flammable liquid with moderate ether-like odor.
Application
The molecular structure of 2-butoxyethanol contains both ether linkage and hydroxyl group. Thanks to this unique structure, it is capable of dissolving organic substances, synthetic and natural macromolecular compounds, and can be miscible with water or water-soluble compounds to varying degrees. Hence it is widely applied in coatings, printing inks, cleaning agents, and extraction agents.
Uses
As an important industrial derivative of epoxy compounds, 2-butoxyethanol is a vital fine chemical. Its molecular structure carries two groups with powerful dissolving performance: ether linkage (lipophilic, dissolving hydrophobic substances) and hydroxyl group (hydrophilic, dissolving hydrophilic substances), granting it excellent solvency, and it is known as a universal solvent.
Solvent for paints and printing inks, raw material for metal cleaning formulations and dye dispersants.
Mainly used as solvent for nitrocellulose, spray paint, quick-dry paint, varnish, enamel and paint remover. It can also serve as fiber wetting agent, pesticide dispersant, resin plasticizer and organic synthesis intermediate. It can be applied as reagent for determination of iron and molybdenum, auxiliary solvent to improve emulsification and dissolve mineral oil in soap solution.
Reagent and solvent for iron and molybdenum detection; used for separation of calcium and strontium from nitrate.
Solvent for coatings, printing inks, stamp pad inks, oils and resins; ingredient for metal cleaners, paint removers, grease removers, automobile engine cleaners, dry cleaning solvents and epoxy resin solvents; extraction agent. It acts as stabilizer for latex paint, evaporation inhibitor for aircraft coatings and surface treatment agent for high-temperature baking enamel.
Production Method
Raw materials: Ethylene oxide, n-butanol
Synthesis route: Produced via addition reaction of ethylene oxide and n-butanol.
Process 1: n-Butanol is added into boron trifluoride-diethyl ether complex. Ethylene oxide is introduced at 25～30℃, and the temperature rises automatically to around 80℃ to complete addition reaction. After recovering excess n-butanol, the mixture is neutralized and distilled to obtain crude product, which is further fractionated to get finished product.
Process 2: n-Butanol is added into boron trifluoride etherate solution at 20℃, followed by continuous feeding of ethylene oxide under stirring. Temperature rises gradually during reaction. After temperature cools down, the mixture is kept standing for three days, then neutralized with potassium hydroxide methanol solution to pH=8 to obtain crude material. A small amount of p-aminophenol is added prior to fractionation. Collect the fraction at 166–170℃ as finished product.
For industrial scale, non-catalytic reaction can be adopted under high temperature and pressure (180–250℃, 2.1–4.6 MPa) with reaction duration of 6 hours. Alkali catalyst can also be used under near atmospheric pressure and relatively low temperature.
Chemical Properties
Colorless flammable liquid with moderate ether odor. Soluble in 20 parts water, miscible with most organic solvents and mineral oils.
Hazard Information
Category: Flammable liquid
Toxicity grade: Moderately toxic
Acute toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 470 mg/kg; Oral LD50 (mouse): 1230 mg/kg
Irritation data: Rabbit skin: 500 mg, mild irritation; Rabbit eye: 100 mg, severe irritation
Explosion risk: May form explosive mixture with air
Combustibility: Flammable when exposed to open flame, high temperature or strong oxidants; produces irritating fumes upon combustion
Storage & Transportation
Keep intact packaging; handle gently. Store in ventilated warehouse, away from open flame and high heat; store separately from oxidants.
Fire-fighting media
Foam, carbon dioxide, dry powder, sand
Occupational exposure standard
TLV-TWA 25 ppm (120 mg/m³); STEL 200 mg/m³