Substance profile
2-ethoxyethanol
2-ethoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant, ether-like odor.
01 · Identification
What 2-ethoxyethanol is
2-ethoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant, ether-like odor. Its molecular formula is C4H10O2 and its molecular weight is 90.12 g/mol. It boils at 136 °C, melts at -70 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as teratogens.
Other names for 2-ethoxyethanol
- ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H360FD | May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P301, P304, P310, P312, P330, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
2-ethoxyethanol properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 135.7 °C (276.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| 135 °C (275 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 135 °C (275 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -70 °C (-94 °F) | HSDB | |
| -90 °C (-130 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.93 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 7.74 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.9253 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible with water | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in acetone, ethyl ether, ethanol | HSDB | ||
| Miscible with hydrocarbons | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 4 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 3.8 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 5.31 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 43.33 °C (110 °F) | HSDB | |
| 48.89 °C (120 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 94.44 °C (202 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 235 °C (455 °F) | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.8 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| 1.7 % by volume | DOE PAC | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 14 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| 15.6 % by volume | at 93 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 3.1 (air = 1) | CAMEO | |
| Odor threshold | ...Odor threshold of about 25 ppm and a strong odor at about 50 ppm. | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.3 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on 2-ethoxyethanol
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Odor
Human volunteers with some work experience in industrial environments reported that /odor/ levels of 125 ppm were noticeable and that the intolerable odor level was higher then 255 ppm. Thus the warning properties should not be relied up on to prevent prolonged daily exposures to a concentration of vapors that could cause adverse affects.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 2-ethoxyethanol
Storage conditions
Conditions for safe storage: Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Polyacrylamide gels were dissolved in 30% peroxide solution and added to a scintillation mixture in 1:1 2-ethoxyethanol-toluene. After counting, the mixtures were bulked and evaporated intermittently with heat during a 4 week period, and the accumulated peroxidised residues eventually exploded violently. A subsequent comment indicated that peroxidised materials may not peroxide are themselves potentially explosive.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOETHYL ETHER may react with oxidizing materials, i.e. hydrogen peroxide, to form peroxides. It dissolves many oils, resins and waxes. (NTP, 1992)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 2-ethoxyethanol in the storage compatibility matrix →