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BUTYL GLYCOL
Butyl glycol is a clear, colourless, oily liquid with a unique sweet yet mild odour and has the formula C6H14O2. It is a butyl ether of ethylene glycol and is miscible with water and common organic solvents. It has been produced industrially for over half a century and is used primarily as a solvent in paints and surface coatings but also in inks and cleaning products. Butyl Glycol ether provides excellent performance in coatings, cleaners, and many other types of products. It is one of the fastest evaporating glycol ethers. Butyl glycol ether is compatible with a wide range of resin types, and it also offers 100% water solubility.
Butyl glycol is used in many industries. It is used as a solvent and is found in paint strippers, thinners, and household cleaners. It is a “slow” solvent used as a co-solvent in waterborne organic coatings and also to dissolve nitrocellulose, polyester, epoxy resins.
Chemical name: Ethylene glycol mono butyl ether; 2-Butoxyethanol (also called butyl cellosolve or butyl oxitol)
Chemical formula: C6H14O2
CAS Number: 111-76-2
EC Number: 203-905-0
SYNONYMS:
Butylene Glycol; 1,3-Butanediol; , butyl cellosolve, butyl glycol,; 2-butoxyethanol; butylcellosolve; ethyleneglycol monobutyl ether; n-butoxyethanol; n-butoxyethanol sodium salt; 2-Butoxyethanol; Butoxyethanol; Butyl glycol; 111-76-2; Butyl cellosolve; ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER; Ethylene glycol butyl ether; n-Butoxyethanol; Ethanol, 2-butoxy-; Butyl oxitol; 2-butoxyethan-1-ol; 2-Butoxy-1-ethanol; Dowanol EB; Gafcol EB; Glycol butyl ether; Poly-Solv EB; 3-Oxa-1-heptanol; 2-bütoksietanol; Etilen Glikol Mono Butil Eter; BG Eter; Glikol Butil Eter; 2-Butoksi etanol; 2-n-Butoksietanol; Eter Alkol; Butyl Glycol; Butyglcol; Etilen Glikol, monobutil eter; Butil Monoeter Glikol; Butil 2-hidroksietil eter; Solvent; Butil Selüloz; Etanol-2-butoksi-; 111-76-2; Butoxyethanol; Butyl cellosolve; Butyl monoether glycol; EGBE (ethylene glycol monobutyl ether); Dowanol EB; Bane-Clene; Eastman EB solvent; BH-33 industrial cleaner; Solvaset; 2-BE; EGMBE; Butyl oxitol; Ektasolve; Jeffersol EB; BUTYL GLYCOL; BÜTIL GLIKOL; 1,3-BUTANEDIOL; u3-diol; 110-63-4; 1,3-Butylene glycol; Tetramethylene glycol; 1,3-Dihydroxybutane; 1,3-Tetramethylene glycol; ; Sucol B; 1,3-BD; 1,3-BUTANEDIOL, 1 4-BUTANEDIOL; ; 1 4-butanediol; 110-63-4; 1,3-Butylene glycol; Tetramethylene glycol; 1,3-Dihydroxybutane; Sucol B; 1,3-BD; DIOL 14B; Agrisynth B1D; HO(CH2)4OH; NSC 406696; CCRIS 5984; 1,3-Dihdyroxybutane; HSDB 1112; EINECS 203-786-5; HOCH2CH2CH2CH2OH; BRN 1633445; AI3-07553; CHEBI:41189; WERYXYBDKMZEQL-UHFFFAOYSA-N; MFCD00002968; DSSTox_CID_4666; DSSTox_RID_77492; DSSTox_GSID_24666; BDO; BU1; CAS-110-63-4; UNII-7XOO2LE6G3; 4-hydroxybutanol; 1,3butanediol; 1.4-butanediol; Dabco BDO;os bbs-00004303; 4-01-00-02515 (Beilstein Handbook Reference); KSC175Q8N; MLS001061198; 1,4-Butanediol 4 M solution; CHEMBL171623; DTXSID2024666; CTK0H5886; KS-00000WMZ; HMS3039N12; LTBB001138; 1,4-Butanediol, 99% 250g; ZINC1599375; Tox21_202245; Tox21_303040; ANW-16175; LS-512; NSC406696; STL283940; AKOS000118735; 1,4-Butanediol; 98%; DB01955; MCULE-2010022287; NSC-406696; RL02831; RP18542; RTR-032026; TRA0075312; 1,4-Butanediol, ReagentPlus(;R), 99%; NCGC00090733-01; NCGC00090733-02; NCGC00257119-01; NCGC00259794-01; 28324-25-6; AJ-27941; AK160801; AN-22614; BP-21418; CJ-05671; CJ-25700; KB-10525; OR012020; SC-79277; SMR000677930; 1,4-Butanediol, ReagentPlus(R), >=99%; TR-032026; B0680; FT-0606811; ST24046254; 3379-EP2305668A1; 1,4-Butanediol, Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 98%; 48881-EP2380873A1; I14-2693; J-512798; 3B1-003910; 3B1-004958; 3B1-007610; 3B1-007837; F0001-0222; Z1259087047; InChI=1/C4H10O2/c5-3-1-2-4-6/h5-6H,1-4H; UNII-TMS4MGA0H4 Component; WERYXYBDKMZEQL-UHFFFAOYSA-N; 732189-03-6; 1,4-Butanediol; 1,3-B; BD; One Comma Four; One Four Bee; Butylene Glycol; or One Four B-D-O; BUTANE-1,3-DIOL , TETRAMETHYLENE GLYCOL 1,3-BUTANDIOL; 1,3-Butanediol; ,4-Butanediol 1,3-butylene glycol butylene glycol; ,4-Butylene glycol; ,4-Dihydroxybutane; ,4-Tetramethylene glycol; Butan-1,3-diol; Butane-1,3-diol; Butano-1,3-diol; Butylene glycol; Dabco DBO ;Diol 14B; NSC 406696; Polycure D; POLYESTER OF 1,3-BUTANEDIOL; Sucol B; Tetramethylene 1,3-diol; Tetramethylene glycol; Vibracure A 250; ZM 0025; BUTANEDIOL; 1,3-BUTYLENE GLYCOL; 1,3-TETRAMETHYLENE GLYCOL; 1,3-Butanediol; Tetramethylene glycol;; 110-63-4; 1,3-Dihydroxybutane;BDO; Butanediol-; 1,3; 1,3-BD; 1,3-BDO; 1,3-Tetramethylene ; ; 1,3-Butanediol ; 110-63-4 ; butane-1,3-diol; (3S)-Butane-1,3-diol; (S)-()-1,3-Butanediol; [110-63-4]; 1,3-BD; 1,3-butane diol; 1,3-BUTANEDIOL, 99%; 1,3-butylene glycol; 1,3-Dihydroxybutane; 1,3-Tetramethylene glycol; 1,3-??? ; 1589-49-7 ; 203-786-5 [EINECS]; 25265-75-2 ; 28324-25-6 ; 4-01-00-02515 ; 53504-41-9; 732189-03-6 ; BDO; BU1; BU2; Butane diol-1,3; BUTANEDIOL ; Butylene glycol; Dabco BDO; HO(CH2)4OH; HOCH2CH2CH2CH2OH; InChI=1/C4H10O2/c5-3-1-2-4-6/h5-6H,1-4H; MFCD00002968 ; POLYURETHANE ; ST5214425; Tetramethylene 1,3-diol; bütandiol; 14bütandiol; 1,3-Butylene glycol; Tetramethylene glycol; Linear Formula HO(CH2)4OH; Molecular Weight 90.12; Beilstein Registry Number 1633445; EC Number 203-786-5; MDL number MFCD00002968; pubChem Substance ID 24872855; 1,3-Butanediol; 1,3-B; BD; One Comma Four; One Four Bee; Butylene Glycol; One Four B-D-O; 1,3-Butanediol; InChI=1S/C4H10O2/c5-3-1-2-4-6/h5-6H,1-4H2; WERYXYBDKMZEQL-UHFFFAOYSA-N; 110-63-4; Diol 14B; Sucol B; Tetramethylene glycol; 1,3-Butylene glycol; 1,3-Dihydroxybutane; 1,3-Tetramethylene glycol; Butane-1,3-diol; Butanediol; 1,3-BD; Tetramethylene 1,3-diol; BDO; Butylene glycol; Dabco BDO; Butane diol-1,3; NSC 406696; 1,4-butylene glycol; 1,4-dihydroxybutane; tetramethylene glycol; 1,4-tetramethylene glycol; tetramethylene-1,4diol; butylene glycol; butanediol; butane-1,4-diol; BUTANE-1,4-DIOL; BUTANEDIOL; 1,4-BUTANEDIOL; BUTYLENE GLYCOL; 1,4-BUTYLENE GLYCOL; DABCO DBO; DIHYDROXYBUTANE; 1,4-DIHYDROXYBUTANE; DIOL 14B; POLYCURE D; SUCOL B; TETRAMETHYLENE 1,4-DIOL; TETRAMETHYLENE GLYCOL; 1,4-TETRAMETHYLENE GLYCOL; 1,4-; (1,4-tetramethylene glycol) (110-63-4); 1,4-Butylene Glycol; 1,3-Dihydroxybutane; Tetramethylene Glycol; BDO; 1,3-bD; sucolb; diol14b; Sucol B; Diol 14B; Dabco BDO; Butanediol; 4-Butanediol; 1,3-Butanediol =99%; 1,3-BD; 1,3-Butylene glycol; 1,3-Dihydroxybutane; 1,3-Tetramethylene; glycol; BDO; Butylene glycol; Dabco BDO; Diol 14B; NSC 406696; Sucol B; Tetramethylene; 1,3-diol; Tetramethylene glycol; InChI=1S/C4H10O2/c5-3-1-2-4-6/h5-6H,1-4H2; InChI Key; WERYXYBDKMZEQL-UHFFFAOYSA-N; Formula; C4H10O2; SMILES; OCCCCO; Molecular Weight1; 90.12; CAS; 110-63-4; 732189-03-6; ECHA EINECS; REACH Pre-Reg: 03-786-5; FDA UNII:7XOO2LE6G3; Beilstein Number:1633445; MDL:MFCD00002968; agrisynth B1D; 1,3-butandiol; butane-1,3-diol; 1,3-butanediol; 1,3- butylene glycol; 1,3-dihydroxybutane; tetramethylene glycol; 1,3-tetramethylene glycol; Butane-1,3-diol; ; 1,3-Dihdyroxybutane; 1,3-bütandiol ; 1 4 bütandiol;2-hydroxyethyl n-butyl ether;3-oxa-1-heptanol;Butyl icinol;butylcellosolve;NSC60759;Tox21_202399
IUPAC NAMES:
1-Butoxy-2-hydroxyethan; 2 butossietanolo; 2-buthoxtethanol; 2-Butoxyetanol; 2-butoxy ethanol; 2-butoxy-1-ethanol; 2-butoxy-ethanol; 2-butoxyehanole; 2-Butoxyethan-1-ol; 2-butoxyethan-1-ol; 2-Butoxyethano; 2-Butoxyetanol; 2-Butoxyethanol; 2-butoxyethanol; 2-Butoxyethanol; 2-butoxyethanol; 2-butoxyethanol (Butyl glycol); 2-butoxyethanol ethylene glycol monobutyl ether butyl cellosolve; 2-butoxyethanol, butyl cellosolve, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; 2-Butoxyethanol; Butyl glycol; Butyl cellosolve; 2-butoxyethanol; ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; butyl cellosolve; 2-butoxyéthanol; Butoxyethanol; butyl cellosolve
TRADE NAMES:
2-butoxy-1-ethanol; 2-Butoxyethanol; 3-oxa-1-heptanol; 3-oxo-1-heptanol; A-LT313; BG; BGE; BuOX; butoxyethanol; butyl cellosolve; Butyl CELLOSOLVE™ Solvent; Butyl Glycol; Butyl glycol ether; butyl monoether glycol; Butyl OxButyl glycolol; butyl oxButyl glycolol; Butylglycol; butylglycol ether; Butylglycolether; C-LT313; Dowanol EB
Butyl Glycol
High-boiling, low-volatility liquid with a mild odor that is used as a solvent and starting material for synthesis. Excellent co-solvent in aqueous coating systems (water-based paints).
Butyl glycol is a primary alcohol that is ethanol in which one of the methyl hydrogens is replaced by a butoxy group. A high-boiling (171℃) colourless liquid, it is used as a solvent for paints and inks, as well as in some dry cleaning solutions. It has a role as a protic solvent. It is a primary alcohol and an ether.
Butyl Glycol acts as a solvent and coalescent for paints and printing inks. It can form peroxides in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. Improves the flow and extends the drying time of coatings. Also improves brushability of alkyd resin paints and reduces their viscosity. It significantly lowers the minimum film forming temperature (MFFT) and improves flow in many physically drying paint systems. Improves the evaporation behavior of the volatile constituents. Exhibits miscibility with most common organic solvents and water. Butyl Glycol is used for aqueous coatings and printing inks.
Also known as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, Glycol EB, and butoxyethanol. It is nonvolatile and is an inexpensive solvent of low toxicity. One of the best characteristics of this product is that it has not been identified as a major environmental contaminant. An interesting fact about butyl glycol is that glycol ethers are produced annually around 200-500 kilotons.
Properties: Colorless, neutral, slightly hygroscopic, mobile liquid with a mild odor. The product is miscible with water and common organic solvents in all proportions at room temperature.
Butylglycol shows the reactions typical of an alcohol, such as esterification, etherification, oxidation and the formation of acetates and alcoholates. Like most ethers, it forms peroxides in the presence of atmospheric oxygen.
Chemical Name: 2-Butoxyethanol
Chemical Purpose: Product stabilizer
Product Function: Surfactant
Technical Properties:
Chemical and physical properties of butyl glycol:
Molecular Formula: C6H14O2 / CH3(CH2)2CH2OCH2CH2OH
Synonyms: 2-Butoxyethanol, Butyl Cellosolve, Butyl Monoether Glycol, Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE), Butoxyethanol
Cas Number: 111-76-2
Molecular Mass: 118.176 g/mol1
Exact Mass: 118.09938 g/mol
Flashpoint: 153 °F / 67 °C
Boiling Point: 340 °F / 171 °C
Melting Point: -107 °F / -77 °C
Vapour Pressure: 0.76 mm Hg at 68 ° F
Water Solubility: ≥ 100 mg/ml (72° F)
Density: 0.90 g/cm3
What is Butyl Glycol?
Butyl glycol (also known as BG, 2-butoxyethanol, glycol monobutyl ether and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, butyl cellosolve, butoxyethanol) is a clear, colourless, oily liquid with a unique sweet yet mild odour and has the formula C6H14O2. It is a butyl ether of ethylene glycol and is miscible with water and common organic solvents. It has been produced industrially for over half a century and is used primarily as a solvent in paints and surface coatings but also in inks and cleaning products.
This chemical is a clear, colorless and flammable liquid that is used as a solvent. Solvents soften and disperse soils so that you can remove them without having to use as much “elbow grease”. It is part of a family called “glycol ethers“.
What products is butyl glycol in?
Glass cleaners and all-purpose spray-cleaners are the most common household items containing butyl glycol. It is used in household cleaners, liquid soaps, cosmetics spray lacquers, enamels, herbicides, hydraulic fluids, fabric dyes and inks, household degreasers, dry-cleaning substances, and latex paints.
How to tell if a product has butyl glycol?
Butyl glycol may also be listed as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, Butyl Cellosolve, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, butyl Oxitol, Dowanol EB, glycol butyl ether, Polysolv, and Ektasolve EB. Abbreviations for 2-butoxyethanol include EGBE and BE. The acetate form of butyl glycol may be listed as butoxyethanol acetate, butoxyethyl acetate, butyl glycol acetate, ethylene glycol butyl ether acetate, acetic acid 2-butoxyethyl ester, glycol monobutyl ether acetate, Butyl Cellosolve acetate, or Ektasolve EB acetate. Common abbreviations for 2-butoxyethanol acetate include BEA and EGBEA.
Butyl glycol is a colorless liquid with a light, rancid, ether-like odor. It can be mixed with many ketones, ether, alcohol, aromatic paraffin and halogenated hydrocarbons in any ratio. More specifically, it mixes with acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, ethyl ether, n-heptane and water in all proportions. It is used as a solvent in the manufacture and formulation of lacquers, enamels, inks and varnishes using resins such as alkyd, phenolic, nitrocellulose, maleic modified, styrene and epoxy due to its excellent solvent property, low evaporation rate and high dilution rates. Butyl glycol in varnishes provides a slow evaporation rate, strengthens redness resistance, improves shine, improves bleeding and helps prevent orange peel. Hot spray varnishes usually contain about 10% butyl glycol.
Butyl glycol is a fast-evaporating glycol ether with an excellent balance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic character; excellent active solvency and coupling properties. Butyl glycol is a very versatile solvent product with a good balance of many different properties. With a nearly equal balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic character, Butyl glycol provides excellent performance in coatings, cleaners, and many other types of products. It is one of the fastest evaporating glycol ethers. Butyl glycol is compatible with a wide range of resin types, and it also offers 100% water solubility.
Applications:
Applications Selected applications of Butyl glycol are described below.
As a low-volatility solvent, Butyl glycol can be used to extend the drying time of coatings and improves their flow. It is especially recommended for paints for brush-application based on cellulose nitrate, chlorinated binders or cellulose ethers, because when it is applied to dry coatings, it only softens them very slowly.
Small proportions of Butyl glycol improve the brushability of, for example, alkyd resin paints and reduce their viscosity. It is also an extremely efficient flow improver for urea, melamine or phenolic stoving finishes.
Butyl glycol has proved to be the most effective of a large number of organic solvents tested in a very wide range of aqueous coating systems. In particular, it improves the properties of the paint by reducing the viscosity peak when oxidatively and physically drying water-based paints, including those for stoveenamelling, are diluted with water.
As a coalescing aid, Butyl glycol can significantly lower the minimum filmforming temperature (MFFT) and improve flow in many physically drying paint systems.
Butyl glycol improves the evaporation behaviour of the volatile constituents (e. g. in water-based stoving enamels) during hot-air or infrared drying.
Further information on the use of Butylglycol in aqueous coating systems can be found in our Technical Information Sheet “Butylglycol in water-based coating systems”.
Further applications of Butylglycol are as follows:
• Solvent in printing inks for leather dyes, etc.
• Component in surface cleaners, e. g. to degrease metal surfaces.
• Cleaners
• Component in hydraulic fluids.
• Component in drilling and cutting oils (strong solvent).
• Starting material in the production of butyl glycol acetate which is also an excellent solvent.
• Starting material in the production of plasticizers, e. g. by reaction with phthalic anhydride.
• Active solvent for solvent-based coatings.
• Coalescent for industrial water-based coatings.
• Coupling agent for architectural water-borne coatings.
• Coupling agent and solvent in household and industrial cleaners, rust removers, hard surface cleaners, and disinfectants.
• Primary solvent in solvent-based silk screen printing inks.
• Coupling agent for resins and dyes in water-based printing inks.
• Solvent for agricultural pesticides.
It has a bifunctional nature containing an ether and an alcohol group in the same molecule. It is fully miscible with water and a wide variety of organic solvents. This excellent miscibility makes it a versatile solvent and binding agent that offers excellent performance properties in a wide range of applications.Its bifunctional nature also means to exhibit the typical reactions of an alcohol, i.e. Esterification, etherification, oxidation and the formation of an ether that forms peroxide with acetates and alcoholates in the presence of atmospheric oxygen.Butyl glycol is produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide and normal butanol (n-butanol) in the presence of a catalyst.Butyl glycol is a flammable material. Keep the product and empty containers away from heat, sparks and flames. Keep in accordance with good industry practice regarding safety and hygiene.
Butyl glycol is miscible in water and soluble in most organic solvents. Butyl glycol does not occur naturally. It is usually produced by reacting ethylene oxide with butyl alcohol. Butyl glycol, as solvent for nitrocellulose, natural and synthetic resins, soluble oils, in surface coatings, spray varnishes, enamels, varnishes and latex paints, thinners, quick-drying varnishes, latex paints and scrapers, varnish removers and herbicides. Used as a stabilizer in textile dyeing and printing, leather processing, plasticizer production, metal cleaners and household cleaners, hydraulic fluids, pesticides, herbicides and rust removers. It is also used as an ingredient in liquid soaps, cosmetics, industrial and household cleaners, dry cleaning compounds and silicone sealants, cutting oils and hydraulic fluids. 2-Butoxyethanol is a fire hazard when exposed to heat, sparks or open flames. Clear, colorless, oily liquid with a mild ether-like odor.
Butyl glycol is usually produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide with butyl alcohol, but it can also be made by the reaction of ethylene glycol with dibutyl sulfate. 2-Butoxyethanol is widely used as a solvent in protective surface coatings such as spray varnishes, quick drying varnishes, enamels, varnishes and latex paints. Used as a component in paint thinners and scrapers, varnish removers, agricultural chemicals, herbicides, silicone fillers, cutting oils and hydraulic fluids and metal cleaner, fabric paint and inks, industrial and household cleaners (as degreasers), and dry cleaning compounds. It is also used in liquid soaps and cosmetics. 2-Butoxyethanol acetate has been reported to be present in air, water. and soil as a pollutant and its exposure arise during its manufacture and use as an intermediate in the chemical industry and during the formulation of its products and its use in multiple industrial activitie.The acetate form of butyl glycol is butyl glycol acetate and is also known as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate.
How is it Produced?
Butyl glycol is produced by reacting ethylene oxide with an alcohol such as normal butanol (nbutanol) within a catalyst. This process is called ethoxylation. If the ratio of ethylene oxide to nbutanol is greater than one then di- and tri- ethylene glycol monoethers are also produced.
Below is the chemical equation for this reaction:
C2H4O + C4H9OH → C4H9OC2H4OH
World production is estimated at between 300-500 KT per annum. Butyl glycol can also be produced through the etherification of butanol with 2-chloroethanol.
Butyl glycol is produced by reacting ethylene oxide with an alcohol such as normal butanol (nbutanol) in a catalyst. This process is called ethoxylation. Di- and tri-ethylene glycol monoethers are also produced if the ratio of ethylene oxide to nbutanol is greater than one.World production is estimated to be 300-500 KT per year. Butyl glycol can also be produced by etherification of butanol with 2-chloroethanol. Butyl glycol is classified as an irritant so great precaution and care must be taken in the handling and distribution process.
Both oil base and water base fracturing fluids are being used in the fracturing industry. Water base, which includes alcohol-water mixtures and low strength acids, make up the majority of treating fluids.
How is it Handled, Stored and Distributed?
Butyl glycol is classed as an irritant, therefore, great precaution and care must be taken during the handling and distribution process.
How is Butyl Glycol Used?
Butyl glycol has many uses, primarily as a solvent, in both the commercial and industrial industries.
Butyl glycol has been used since the 1930’s. It can be used as a mutual solvent since it has surfactant properties. Also it has been used in different industries such as: business, petroleum and more.
• Ethylene glycol n-butyl ether (EB) is used widely as a coupling solvent because of its superior coupling efficiency and excellent solvency for resins
• Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) is used as a solvent for nitrocellulose, resins, oil, and grease, and in dry cleaning
• Solvent for nitrocellulose, resins, grease, oil, albumin; dry cleaning
Butyl glycol pure is a solvent. Solvents find various applications in chemical, pharmaceutical, oil, and gas industries, including in chemical synthesis and purification processes. Common uses for organic solvents are in dry cleaning, as paint thinners, as nail polish removers, in spot removers and in perfumes.
Industry Uses
Butyl glycol has been used as a solvent for paints and surface coatings, as well as cleaning products and inks. Also, it has been used as a main ingredient for acrylic resin formulations, firefighting foam, leather protectors, oil spill dispersants, degreaser applications, photographic strip solutions, whiteboard cleaners, liquid soaps, cosmetics, dry cleaning solutions, lacquers, varnishes, herbicides, latex paints, enamels, printing paste, and varnish removers, and silicone caulk. This product is an essential compound for construction sites, automobile repair shops, print shops and facilities that produce sterilizing and cleaning products. Since this chemical has both non-polar and polar ends, this product is good for removing and cleaning grease and oils. Also, butyl glycol can be used as indirect and direct food additives (antimicrobial agents, defoamers, stabilizers, and adhesives).
Butyl glycol usage is dominated by the paint industry which consumes approximately 75 % of all the BG produced. This is because it is a low volatility solvent and can therefore both extend the drying times of coatings and improve their flow.
Other applications include use as a solvent in printing inks due to its high boiling point, textile dyes and as a component of hydraulic fluids. It is also a component of drilling and cutting oils and is a major component of Corexit 9527, which is an oil spill dispersant product.
It is also a chemical intermediate and, as such, is a starting material in the production of butyl glycol acetate which is, itself, an excellent solvent. It is also a starting material in the production of plasticisers by the reaction of phthalic anhydride.
Commercial Uses
Butyl glycol is used regularly in most households as it is a component of many home cleaning products. It provides excellent cleaning power for domestic cleaning products and also provides the characteristic odour that we associate with them. It also plays the same role in some industrial and commercial surface cleaners. Many other products contain butyl glycol including spray lacquers, varnishes, varnish removers, paints, liquid soaps, degreasers, leather protectors, whiteboard cleaners, printing pastes, enamels, cosmetics and herbicides.
In the Petroleum Industry
Butyl glycol is commonly produced for the oil industry because of its surfactant properties.
In the petroleum industry, butyl glycol is a component of fracturing fluids, drilling stabilizers, and oil slick dispersants for both water-based and oil-based hydraulic fracturing. When liquid is pumped into the well, the fracturing fluids are pumped under extreme pressure, so butyl glycol is used to stabilize them by lowering the surface tension. As a surfactant, 2-butoxyethanol adsorbs at the oil-water interface of the fracture. The compound is also used to facilitate the release of the gas by preventing congealing. It is also used as a crude oil-water coupling solvent for more general oil well workovers.[10] Because of its surfactant properties, it is a major constituent (30–60% w/w) in the oil spill dispersant Corexit 9527, which was widely used in the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This product is an essential component of fracturing fluids, drilling stabilizers, and oil slick dispersants for water-based and oil-based hydraulic fracturing. Because this product can work as a surfactant, it is able to absorbs at the oil-water interface of the fracture. Also, it is used as cure oil-water coupling solvent for more general oil well workovers.
Applications
• Solvent for natural and synthetic resins and cellulose derivatives
• Reduces viscosity in alky resin varnishes
• Acts as a property regulator, coalescer and flow improver in water based paints
• Solubiliser for printing inks, cleansers and mineral oil emulsions
Uses & Benefits:
Household Cleaning Products:
Common household cleaning products like glass cleaners, liquid soaps and all-purpose spray-cleaners contain butyl glycol, for its ability to help dissolve substances such as grease and dirt.
Personal Care Products:
Cosmetic products such as hair dyes, nail polishes, nail polish removers and skin cleansers contain butoxyethanol, which can help prevent the other product ingredients from separating within the formulation. Butyl glycol also can help keep a substance clear—even after a product is exposed to extreme temperatures during shipping or storage.
Solvents and Adhesives:
One of the main industrial uses of butoxyethanol is as a solvent in protective surface coatings, such as spray lacquers, quick-dry lacquers and enamels, as well as water-based varnishes and latex paints. Butyl glycol helps decrease the overall thickness of a varnish or paint to help enable smoother application. Butyl glycol is also an ingredient in adhesives and inks used on food packaging.
Butyl glycol usage is dominated by the paint industry, which consumes approximately 75% of all BG produced. This is because it is a low volatility solvent and can therefore both extend the drying times of coatings and improve their flow.Other applications include the use as a solvent in printing inks as a component of high boiling point, textile dyes and hydraulic fluids. It is also a component of drilling and cutting oils and is a key component of Corexit 9527, an oil spill dispersant product.It is also a chemical intermediate and a starting material in the production of butyl glycol acetate, which in itself is an excellent solvent. It is also a starting material in the production of plasticizers by the reaction of phthalic anhydride.Many other products contain butyl glycol, including spray varnishes, varnishes, varnish removers, paints, liquid soaps, degreasers, leather protectors, whiteboard cleaners, printing pastes, enamels,cosmetics and herbicides.
Butyl glycol should be stored in a cool, dark place away from food and oxidants. It is transported in carbon steel, stainless steel or Teflon containers and can be transported in bulk or in drums. It has a specific gravity of 0.9 and a flash point of 60 ° C (closed cup) and is classified as harmful but not dangerous for any mode of transport.If a leak or spill occurs, it should be insulated immediately (up to 50 meters at a 360 angle) and the source removed (risk-free only if possible). Personal protective equipment should be worn, especially a respirator to filter gases from the spill.The leak should be wetted with a non-combustible material such as earth and then collected in sealed containers. Wash off the rest with water. If it's a minor leak, a more common approach may be taken, including the use of kitchen towels. This should then be incinerated without spilling. The area should then be ventilated to ensure that all vapors and gases have been removed.
Butyl glycol is a high production volume glycol ether. It is a colorless liquid that is miscible in water and soluble in most organic solvents. Butyl glycol is used widely as a solvent in surface coatings, such as spray lacquers, quick dry lacquers, enamels, varnishes, varnish removers and latex paint. Based on limited data, ambient exposures in air are generally in the ug/cu m range. Industrial exposure of the general population to this chemical is most likely from inhalation and dermal absorption during the use of products containing buthyl glycol. Levels of airborne buthyl glycol in occupational settings are typically in the mg/cu m range. The results of in vitro studies indicate that human red blood cells are not as sensitive to the hemolytic effects of 2-butoxyethanol and 2-butoxyacetic acid and also that red blood cells are more sensitive to hemolysis by 2-butoxyacetic acid than to hemolysis by 2-butoxyethanol. 2-Butoxyethanol is readily absorbed following inhalation, oral or dermal exposure.
The chemical is metabolized via alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases, with the formation of 2-butoxyacetaldehyde and 2-butoxyacetic acid, the principal metabolite, although other metabolic pathways have also been identified. This chemical has moderate acute toxicity and it is irritating to the eyes and skin; it is not a skin sensitizer. The principal effect exerted by 2-butoxyethanol and its metabolite 2-butoxyacetic acid is hematotoxicity, with the rat being the most sensitive species. In rats, adverse effects on the central nervous system, kidneys and liver occur at higher exposure concentrations than do the hemolytic effects. In animals, adverse effects on reproduction and development have not been observed at less than toxic doses. Although the results of in vitro tests for mutagenicity of 2-butoxyethanol were inconsistent, the absence of structural alerts and the negative findings from in vivo studies indicate that 2-butoxyethanol is not mutagenic.
Butyl glycol and the Environment
As it mentioned before, because this product contains low acute toxicity, it can be disposed of incineration. Butyl glycol comes from some industrial activities. It is usually produced by a reaction of ethylene oxide with butyl alcohol, but it may also be made by the reaction of ethylene glycol with dibutyl sulfate. Butyl glycol is widely used as a solvent in protective surface coatings such as spray lacquers, quick-dry lacquers, enamels, varnishes, and latex paints. Also, this product can pass into air from water and soil. In the atmosphere, butyl glycol probably exists almost entirely as a vapor.
Storage & Handling:
Butylglycol should be stored under nitrogen. The storage temperature must not exceed 40 °C and moisture are excluded. Under these conditions, a storage stability of 12 months can be expected. As soon as the original packaging is opened, the liquid comes into contact with ambient air and this will cause the formation of large quantities of peroxides and their degradation products. Opened containers should therefore be used up as quickly as possible. It is recommended to use nitrogen blanketing for bulk storage tanks. Only dedicated storage tank and unloading facilities should be used.
