Substance profile
2-Methoxyethanol
2-Methoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a mild agreeable odor.
01 · Identification
What 2-Methoxyethanol is
2-Methoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a mild agreeable odor. Its molecular formula is C3H8O2 and its molecular weight is 76.09 g/mol. It boils at 124 °C, melts at -85.1 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as teratogens.
Other names for 2-Methoxyethanol
- ethylene glycol monomethyl 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. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H312 | Harmful in contact with skin. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P270, P271, P280, P301, P302, P304, P312, P330, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
2-Methoxyethanol 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 | 124.1 °C (255.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 124.44 °C (256 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 125 °C (257 °F) | at 768 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -85.1 °C (-121.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -85 °C (-121 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -85.11 °C (-121.2 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.9586 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 0.96 g/cm³ | NIOSH | ||
| 0.9647 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible with water | HSDB | |
| Miscible with alcohol, ether, acetone, dimethylformamide | HSDB | ||
| Miscible with hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, glycols | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 6 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 6.2 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 9.5 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 42 °C (107.6 °F) | HSDB | |
| 120 °C (248 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 40 °C (104 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 285 °C (545 °F) | HSDB | |
| 288.33 °C (551 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.8 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 2.5 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 24.5 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 19.8 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| 14 % by volume | NIOSH | ||
| Vapor density | 2.62 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.6 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Detection: 9X10-2 ppm (air); Recognition: 2.2X10-1 ppm (air) | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.09 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 324.45 °C (616 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Methyl cellosolve will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on 2-Methoxyethanol
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
Under controlled conditions and using human volunteers ...the odor threshold for ethylene glycol monomethyl ether was approx 60 ppm and the level of strong odor 90 ppm. In another study, human volunteers were exposed to levels of 25 and 115 ppm for a full working day. The 25-ppm level was considered to be the max tolerated odor level by three of five people, whereas the intolerable level appeared to be more than 115 ppm.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling 2-Methoxyethanol
Storage conditions
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants and food and feedstuffs. Keep in the dark. Cool.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether /in air/ forms peroxides that are highly explosive.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER is incompatible with oxygen and strong oxidizing agents. Contact with bases may result in decomposition. Incompatible with acid chlorides and acid anhydrides. (NTP, 1992). It forms explosive peroxides.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 2-Methoxyethanol in the storage compatibility matrix →