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Ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether is an organic solvent belonging to the glycol ether family. Its chemical structure is characterized by an ethylene glycol backbone (a chain of two carbon atoms with an alcohol group on one end) where one of the hydroxyl groups has been replaced by a hexyl ether group. Its molecular formula is C₈H₁₈O₂ .
As a glycol ether, it possesses both alcohol (hydroxyl) and ether functional groups, which gives it unique solvent properties. It is capable of dissolving a wide range of substances, including both water-soluble and oil-soluble compounds. This characteristic makes it a valuable "coupling agent" in various formulations. The "n-hexyl" part of its name refers to the six-carbon chain attached via an oxygen atom, which contributes to its ability to dissolve non-polar, hydrophobic substances .
Industrially, ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether is used in applications requiring a slow-evaporating, high-boiling solvent. It can be found in industrial cleaners, paints, coatings, and inks, where it helps to improve flow and leveling, and to solubilize various resins and dyes. It is also used in some agricultural chemical formulations. Like many glycol ethers, it must be handled with care, as it can be irritating to the skin and eyes, and inhalation of its vapors should be avoided
Specific Applications and Benefits:
Industrial and Household Cleaners:
Hard Surface Cleaners: Excellent at dissolving grease, oils, and resins. It is a common component in all-purpose cleaners, degreasers, and floor cleaners.
Paint Strippers: Its ability to penetrate and swell paint films makes it useful in formulations designed to remove varnishes and paints.
Coatings and Inks:
Latex Paints: Acts as a coalescing agent. It softens the latex polymer particles, allowing them to fuse together properly as the paint dries, forming a continuous and durable film, especially in cooler temperatures.
Printing Inks: Used to control the drying rate and improve flow and leveling of inks on various substrates.
Agricultural Formulations: Used as a solvent and carrier for pesticides and herbicides, helping the active ingredients to dissolve and spread effectively on plant surfaces.
Chemical Intermediate: Can be used as a raw material in the synthesis of other chemicals, such as plasticizers and surfactants.
Chemical Identifiers
Molecular Formula: C₈H₁₈O₂ (CH₃(CH₂)₅OCH₂CH₂OH)
Molecular Weight: 146.23 g/mol
MDL Number: MFCD00045997
PubChem CID: 8170
InChI Key: UPGSWASWQBLSKZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: CCCCCCOCCO
EINECS Number: 203-951-1
RTECS Number: KL2450000
Physical Properties
Appearance: Liquid
Melting Point: -42°C
Boiling Point: 94°C (201°F) at specified pressure
Flash Point: 94°C (201°F)
Density: 0.888
Refractive Index: 1.433
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol and ether; water solubility 9.46 g/L
Vapor Pressure: 0.2 mmHg
Purity Grade
Typically available at 98-99% purity for laboratory and industrial applications
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT ETHYLENE GLYCOL N-HEXYL ETHER
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
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.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
