Substance profile
Ethylene glycol
Ethylene glycol is a clear, colorless, syrupy, liquid and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Ethylene glycol is
Ethylene glycol is a clear, colorless, syrupy, liquid and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C2H6O2 and its molecular weight is 62.07 g/mol. It boils at 197 °C, melts at -12.7 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
Other names for Ethylene glycol
- MEG
- antifreeze
- 146Ar
- 1,2-Dihydroxyethane
- Dowtherm Sr 1
- 1,2-Ethandiol
- Ethane-1,2-Diol
- 1,2-Ethanediol
- Ethylene Alcohol
- Ethylene Dihydrate
- 1,2-Ethylene Glycol
- Fridex
- Glycol
- Glycol Alcohol
- ethanediol
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 |
|---|---|
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ethylene glycol 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 | 197.3 °C (387.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| 197.78 °C (388 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 197.61 °C (387.7 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -12.69 °C (9.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| -12.78 °C (9 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 1.1156 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.11 g/cm³ | NIOSH | ||
| 1.1135 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible with water | HSDB | |
| Miscible | NIOSH | ||
| Vapor pressure | 0.06 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 0.06 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.092 mmHg | at 25 °C, Extrapolated | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 111.11 °C (232 °F) | HSDB | |
| Autoignition temperature | 397.78 °C (748 °F) | HSDB | |
| 412.78 °C (775 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 398 °C (748.4 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 3.2 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 15.3 % by volume | NIOSH | |
| Vapor density | 2.1 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.14 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | Odor index: 3 at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB |
| Odor Threshold Low: 159.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Odor threshold | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 445.85 °C (834.5 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Ethylene glycol
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.
Solubility
Miscible with lower aliphatic alcohols, glycerol, acetic acid, acetone and similar ketones, aldehydes, pyridine, similar coal tar bases; slightly soluble in ether (1:200); practically insoluble in benzene, its homologs, chlorinated hydrocarbons, petroleum ether, oils
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ethylene glycol
Storage conditions
... Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well ventilated area away from oxidizing agents.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Mixing ethylene glycol and 96% sulfuric acid in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Mixing ETHYLENE GLYCOL in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: chlorosulfonic acid, oleum, sulfuric acid, [NFPA 1991].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ethylene glycol in the storage compatibility matrix →
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