Quick Search
EC / List no.: 203-953-2
CAS no.: 112-27-6
Mol. formula: C6H14O4
Triethylene glycol, TEG, or triglycol is a colorless odorless viscous liquid with molecular formula HOCH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH.
Triethylene glycol is used as a plasticizer for vinyl polymers.
Triethylene glycol is also used in air sanitizer products, such as "Oust" or "Clean and Pure".
When aerosolized it acts as a disinfectant.
Glycols are also used as liquid desiccants for natural gas and in air conditioning systems.
Triethylene glycol is an additive for hydraulic fluids and brake fluids and is used as a base for "smoke machine" fluid in the entertainment industry.
Triethylene glycol is a colorless liquid with a mild odor. Dense than water.
Properties
Triethylene glycol is a member of a homologous series of dihydroxy alcohols.
Triethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless and stable liquid with high viscosity and a high boiling point.
Apart from its use as a raw material in the manufacture and synthesis of other products, TEG is known for its hygroscopic quality and its ability to dehumidify fluids.
This liquid is miscible with water, and at standard atmospheric pressure (101.325 kPa) has a boiling point of 286.5 °C and a freezing point of -7 °C.
Triethylene glycol is also soluble in ethanol, acetone, acetic acid, glycerine, pyridine, aldehydes; slightly soluble in diethyl ether; and insoluble in oil, fat and most hydrocarbons.
Preparation
TEG is prepared commercially as a co-product of the oxidation of ethylene at high temperature in the presence of silver oxide catalyst, followed by hydration of ethylene oxide to yield mono(one)-, di(two)-, tri(three)- and tetraethylene glycols.
Applications
Triethylene glycol is used by the oil and gas industry to "dehydrate" natural gas.
Triethylene glycol may also be used to dehydrate other gases, including CO2, H2S, and other oxygenated gases.
Triethylene glycol is necessary to dry natural gas to a certain point, as humidity in natural gas can cause pipelines to freeze, and create other problems for end users of the natural gas.
Triethylene glycol is placed into contact with natural gas, and strips the water out of the gas.
Triethylene glycol is heated to a high temperature and put through a condensing system, which removes the water as waste and reclaims the TEG for continuous reuse within the system.
The waste Triethylene glycol produced by this process has been found to contain enough benzene to be classified as hazardous waste (benzene concentration greater than 0.5 mg/L).
Triethylene glycol is well established as a relatively mild disinfectant toward a variety of bacteria, influenza A viruses and spores of Penicillium notatum fungi.
However, its exceptionally low toxicity, broad materials compatibility, and low odor combined with its antimicrobial properties indicates that it approaches the ideal for air disinfection purposes in occupied spaces.
Much of the scientific work with triethylene glycol was done in the 1940s and 1950s, however that work has ably demonstrated the antimicrobial activity against airborne, solution suspension, and surface bound microbes.
The ability of triethylene glycol to inactivate Streptococcus pneumoniae (original citation: pneumococcus Type I), Streptococcus pyogenes (original citation: Beta hemolytic streptococcus group A) and Influenza A virus in the air was first reported in 1943.
Since the first report the following microorganisms have been reported in the literature to be inactivated in the air: Penicillium notatum spores, Chlamydophila psittaci (original citation: meningopneumonitis virus strain Cal 10 and psittacosis virus strain 6BC), Group C streptococcus type 1 pneumococcus, Staphylococcus albus, Escherichia coli, and Serratia marcescens Bizio (ATCC 274).
Solutions of triethylene glycol are known to be antimicrobial toward suspensions of Penicillium notatum spores, Streptococcus pyogenes (original citation: Beta hemolytic streptococcus Group A ), Streptococcus pneumoniae (original citation: pneumococcus Type I), Streptococcus viridans, And Mycobacterium bovis (original citation: tubercle bacilli Ravenel bovine-type).
Further, the inactivation of H1N1 influenza A virus on surfaces has been demonstrated.
The latter investigation suggests that triethylene glycol may prove to be a potent weapon against future influenza epidemics and pandemics.
However, at least some viruses, including Pseudomonas phage phi6 become more infectious when treated with triethylene glycol.
Triethylene glycol is used in the following products: coating products, inks and toners, heat transfer fluids, lubricants and greases and hydraulic fluids.
Other release to the environment of this substance is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners), outdoor use, indoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. cooling liquids in refrigerators, oil-based electric heaters) and outdoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. hydraulic liquids in automotive suspension, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids).
Other release to the environment of this substance is likely to occur from: indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment) and outdoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials).
Triethylene glycol can be found in complex articles, with no release intended: vehicles, machinery, mechanical appliances and electrical/electronic products (e.g. computers, cameras, lamps, refrigerators, washing machines) and electrical batteries and accumulators.
Triethylene glycol can be found in products with material based on: paper (e.g. tissues, feminine hygiene products, nappies, books, magazines, wallpaper), plastic (e.g. food packaging and storage, toys, mobile phones), fabrics, textiles and apparel (e.g. clothing, mattress, curtains or carpets, textile toys), metal (e.g. cutlery, pots, toys, jewellery), stone, plaster, cement, glass or ceramic (e.g. dishes, pots/pans, food storage containers, construction and isolation material), leather (e.g. gloves, shoes, purses, furniture), rubber (e.g. tyres, shoes, toys) and wood (e.g. floors, furniture, toys).
Triethylene glycol is used in the following products: inks and toners, paper chemicals and dyes, hydraulic fluids, washing & cleaning products, non-metal-surface treatment products, polymers and coating products.Triethylene glycol is used in the following areas: printing and recorded media reproduction and agriculture, forestry and fishing.
Triethylene glycol is used for the manufacture of: plastic products, chemicals, machinery and vehicles, food products, textile, leather or fur, wood and wood products and rubber products.
Other release to the environment of this substance is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners), outdoor use, indoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. cooling liquids in refrigerators, oil-based electric heaters) and outdoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. hydraulic liquids in automotive suspension, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids).
Triethylene glycol is used in the following products: inks and toners, washing & cleaning products, non-metal-surface treatment products, paper chemicals and dyes and polymers.
Release to the environment of this substance can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures and formulation in materials.
Triethylene glycol is used in the following products: inks and toners, coating products, polymers, washing & cleaning products, heat transfer fluids, fuels and extraction agents.
Triethylene glycol has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Triethylene glycol is used in the following areas: mining, formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging and printing and recorded media reproduction.
Triethylene glycol is used for the manufacture of: chemicals and plastic products.
Release to the environment of this substance can occur from industrial use: in processing aids at industrial sites, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates), of substances in closed systems with minimal release, for thermoplastic manufacture and in the production of articles.
Release to the environment of this substance can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance, formulation of mixtures, formulation in materials, in processing aids at industrial sites, in the production of articles, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates), as processing aid, for thermoplastic manufacture, as processing aid and of substances in closed systems with minimal release.
Triethylene glycol is a poly(ethylene glycol) that is octane-1,8-diol in which the carbon atoms at positions 3 and 6 have been replaced by oxygen atoms.
Triethylene glycol has a role as a plasticiser.
Triethylene glycol is a poly(ethylene glycol), a diol and a primary alcohol.
Use and Manufacturing
Household & Commercial/Institutional Products
• Auto Products
• Commercial / Institutional
• Inside the Home
• Personal Care
• Pesticides
Use Areas
• Agent for soaking up liquid
• General adhesives and binding agents for a variety of uses
• Adhesion of molecules to a surface
• Air cleaners and anti-odor agents, air purifiers, air conditioners, air filters, general air care products
• Antifreezing agents, or de-icing products
• Type of pesticide used to destroy or inhibit the growth of disease-causing mechanisms, can be impregnated into clothing
• For prevention and removal of static
• General term which includes clothes, shoes, backpacks/purses/luggage, jewelry, pet apparel, etc.
• Products used to care for apparel (e.g., she polish, products to repair footwear or leather, wterproofing sprays, etc.)
• Relatived to the maintenance and repair of automobiles, products for cleaning and caring for automobiles (auto shampoo, polish/wax, undercarriage treatment, brake grease)
• Drawing supplies
• Various types of paint for various uses
• Binding agents, used in paint, sand, etc
• Related to the building or construction process for buildings or boats (includes activities such as plumbing and electrical work, bricklaying, etc)
• Materials used in the building process, such as flooring, insulation, caulk, tile, wood, glass, etc.
• Fillers for paints, textiles, plastics, etc
• Flooring materials (carpets, wood, vinyl flooring), or related to flooring such as wax or polish for floors
• Insulating materials to protect from noise, cold, etc (such as used in homes or buildings), insulating materials related to electricity
• Wall construction materials, or wall coverings
• Furniture, or the manufacturing of furniture (can include chairs and tables, and more general furniture such as mattresses, patio furniture, etc.)
• Textiles used for clothing or furniture upholstery, processes related to textiles (e.g. softeners, antiwrinkle agents), or the processing/manufacturing of textiles
• Term used for colorants, dyes, or pigments; includes colorants for drugs, textiles, personal care products (cosmetics, tatoo inks, hair dye), food colorants, and inks for printing
• Detergents with wide variety of applications
• Drug product, or related to the manufacturing of drugs
• Explosives and pyrotechnics
• Products used to care for apparel (e.g., she polish, products to repair footwear or leather, wterproofing sprays, etc.)
• Related to computers or the manufacturing of computers
• Fillers for paints, textiles, plastics, etc
• Includes antifoaming agents, coagulating agents, dispersion agents, emulsifiers, flotation agents, foaming agents, viscosity adjustors, etc
• Includes preservatives used in cosmetics, film, wood preserving agents, foods
• Includes food packaging, paper plates, cutlery, small appliances such as roasters, etc.
• Residues found in food, typically from drugs or pesticides
• Fragrances or odor agents, can be used in home products (cleaners, laundry products, air fresheners) or similar industrial products;
• General fuels, fuel additives, motor/automotive fuels
• Industrial fluids such as hydraulic fluids, lubricating agents, functional fluids, etc
• Generic lubricants, lubricants for engines, brake fluids, oils, etc (does not include personal care lubricants)
• Relatived to the maintenance and repair of automobiles, products for cleaning and caring for automobiles (auto shampoo, polish/wax, undercarriage treatment, brake grease)
• Materials used in the building process, such as flooring, insulation, caulk, tile, wood, glass, etc.
• Related to cement, concrete, or asphalt materials
• Roofing materials or roofing activities
• Wood used as a building material, wood preservatives
• Related to coal products, specifically related to manufacturing or mining
• Related to electrical work (such as wiring of a building), electric current insulation materials, or other electrical components
• Related to manufacturing for export
• Furniture, or the manufacturing of furniture (can include chairs and tables, and more general furniture such as mattresses, patio furniture, etc.)
• Manufacturing of or related to machinery, for production of cement or food, air/spacescraft machinery, electrical machinery, etc
• Related to metals - manufacturing of metals, casting of metals, production of metals, surface treatment of metals, etc
• Crude oil, crude petroleum, refined oil products, fuel oils, drilling oils
• Related to the manufcturing of pulp or paper products, or paper products in general
• Raw materials used in a variety of products and industries (e.g. in cosmetics, chemical manufacturing, production of metals, etc)
• Rubber products (e.g. tires) and their manufacture
• Soaps, includes personal care products for cleansing the hands or body, and soaps/detergents for cleaning products, homes, etc
• Relatived to the maintenance and repair of automobiles, products for cleaning and caring for automobiles (auto shampoo, polish/wax, undercarriage treatment, brake grease)
• Furniture, or the manufacturing of furniture (can include chairs and tables, and more general furniture such as mattresses, patio furniture, etc.)
• Personal care products, including cosmetics, shampoos, perfumes, soaps, lotions, toothpastes, etc
• Term used for colorants, dyes, or pigments; includes colorants for drugs, textiles, personal care products (cosmetics, tatoo inks, hair dye), food colorants, and inks for printing
• Personal care products used on the hands, such as soaps, lotions, sanitizers (does not include handwear, i.e. gloves)
• Substances used for preventing, destroying or mitigating pests
• Type of pesticide used to destroy or inhibit the growth of disease-causing mechanisms, can be impregnated into clothing
• Pesticide for non agricultural use
• Includes spices, extracts, colorings, flavors, etc added to food for human consumption
• Inert ingredients in a pesticide
• Related to photography, film, photographic equipment, photographic laboraties, photochemicals, and developing of photographs
• Plastic products, industry for plastics, manufacturing of plastics, plastic additives
• Includes preservatives used in cosmetics, film, wood preserving agents, foods, etc
• Related to the process of printing (newspapers, books media, etc), printing inks, toners, etc
• Inks used for printing or writing
• Accelerators, activators, oxidation agents, reducing agents, etc
• Related to fracking, natural gas, industrial gases
• Crude oil, crude petroleum, refined oil products, fuel oils, drilling oils
• Rubber products (e.g. tires) and their manufacture
• Softeners for plastic, rubber, paint, or adhesives, or generic 'softeners'
• Paint removers, graffiti removers, or general solvents
• Related to chairs and seats
triethylene glycol is a solvent prepared from ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol.
In various plastics to increase pliability; in air disinfection.
Bacteriostat (against odor-causing bacteria) for air sanitization and deodorization.
In combination with other active ingredients,
... a fungicide, virucide and miticide for disinfection of hard, non-porous surfaces and as an insecticide (against lice) by direct application to caged birds and to the cage. ....
As an inert ingredient, triethylene glycol facilitates delivery of formulated pesticide chemical products that are used as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators and attractants on a wide variety of agricultural commodities.
Triethylene glycol is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a preservative for food packaging adhesives ... .
Currently, however, there are no EPA registered products for this use.
Triethylene glycol /is also approved as/ an indirect food additive for its use as a plasticizer in cellophane.
Industry Uses
• Adhesives and sealant chemicals
• Adsorbents and absorbents
• Fuels and fuel additives
• Functional fluids (closed systems)
• Intermediates
• Lubricants and lubricant additives
• Plasticizers
• Processing aids, not otherwise listed
• Processing aids, specific to petroleum production
• Solvents (for cleaning and degreasing)
• Solvents (which become part of product formulation or mixture)
• Wholesales
Consumer Uses
• Adhesives and sealants
• Anti-freeze and de-icing products
• Automotive care products
• Building/construction materials not covered elsewhere
• Chemical intermediate
• Cleaning and furnishing care products
• Electrical and electronic products
• Fabric, textile, and leather products not covered elsewhere
• Floor coverings
• Fuels and related products
• Ink, toner, and colorant products
• Laundry and dishwashing products
• Lubricants and greases
• Paints and coatings
• Plastic and rubber products not covered elsewhere
General Manufacturing Information
Industry Processing Sectors
• Adhesive manufacturing
• All other basic inorganic chemical manufacturing
• All other basic organic chemical manufacturing
• All other chemical product and preparation manufacturing
• All other petroleum and coal products manufacturing
• Asphalt paving, roofing, and coating materials manufacturing
• Construction
• Industrial gas manufacturing
• Miscellaneous manufacturing
• Oil and gas drilling, extraction, and support activities
• Paint and coating manufacturing
• Petrochemical manufacturing
• Petroleum lubricating oil and grease manufacturing
• Petroleum refineries
• Plastic material and resin manufacturing
• Plastics product manufacturing
• Printing ink manufacturing
• Rubber product manufacturing
• Soap, cleaning compound, and toilet preparation manufacturing
• Synthetic rubber manufacturing
• Utilities
• Wholesale and retail trade
Triethylene glycol is described as an oligomer of ethylene glycol. So-called polyglycols are higher molecular weight adducts of ethylene oxide and distinguised by intervening ether linkages in the hydrocarbon chain.
Application
Triethylene glycol can be used:
To prepare fatty acid gelators, which are used to gelate various edible and vegetable oils.
As a solvent to prepare superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for in situ protein purification.
As an absorbent agent in the subsea natural gas dehydration process.
Uses:
Antifreeze
Coolants
Chemical intermediates
Gas dehydration and treating
Heat transfer fluids
Polyester resins
Solvents
Benefits:
Versatile intermediates
Low volatility
Low boiling point
TETRA EG is completely miscible with water and a wide range of organic solvents.
Properties
These values are not intended for use in preparing specifications.
Chemical Properties
Triethylene glycol is a clear, colorless, viscous, stable liquid with a slightly sweetish odor.
Soluble in water; immiscible with benzene, toluene, and gasoline.
Combustible. Because it has two ether and two hydroxyl groups its chemical properties are closety related to ethers and primary alcohols.
Triethylene glycol is a good solvent for gums, resins, nitrocellulose, steam-set printing inks and wood stains.
With a low vapor pressure and a high boiling point, its uses and properties are similar to those of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol.
Because it is an efficient hygroscopic agent it serves as a liquid desiccant for removing water from natural gas.
Triethylene glycol is also used in air conditioning systems designed to dehumidify air.
Production Methods
Triethylene glycol, like diethylene glycol, is produced commercially as a by-product of ethylene glycol production.
Its formation is favored by a high ethylene oxide to water ratio.
What is Tri Ethylene Glycol?
Tri ethylene glycol (also known as TEG, triglycol and trigen) is a colourless, viscous, non-volatile liquid with the formula C6H14O4.
Triethylene glycol is well known for its hygroscopic quality and its ability to dehumidify fluids.
How is it produced?
Tri ethylene glycol is prepared commercially as a co-product of the oxidation of ethylene at high temperature, in the presence of a silver oxide catalyst. The ethylene oxide is then hydrated to yield mono, di, tri, and tetra ethylene glycols.
Triethylene glycol is estimated that the total world consumption of TEG is in excess of 175 metric tonnes annually.
How is it stored and distributed?
Tri ethylene glycol can be stored and transported in stainless steel, aluminium or lined tank cars, tank trucks, or 225 kg drums.
Triethylene glycol has a specific gravity of 1.125 and a flash point of 168 °C (closed cup) and is not classified for transport by road, sea, or rail.
What is Tri Ethylene Glycol used for?
The main uses for tri ethylene glycol are based upon its hygroscopic quality.
Triethylene glycol is used as a dehydrating agent for natural gas pipelines where it removes the water from the gas before being condensed and reused in the system.
Triethylene glycol is also a dehumidifying agent in air-conditioning units.
Triethylene glycol is also used to make chemical intermediates such as plasticisers and polyester resins.
Triethylene glycol is an additive in hydraulic fluids and brake fluids, and TEG is also used as a solvent in many applications, including as a selective solvent for aromatics, and a solvent in textile dyeing.
Tri ethylene glycol also has mild disinfectant qualities and, when volatised, is used as an air disinfectant for virus and bacteria control.
What is TEG?
Triethylene Glycol (TEG) is the third members of a homologous series of dihydroxyalcohols.
TEG is produced in the Master Process by the direct hydration of ethylene oxide.
TEG is co-produced with MEG and DEG.
TEG is a colourless liquid.
How is TEG Used?
TEG is used in a variety of applications and is only available in one single high purity grade.
The markets for TEG products are plasticiser for polymer fibres, coolants in automobile antifreeze, and resins.
The excellent humectant (hygroscopicity) property of TEG also makes it ideal for use in fibres treatment, paper, adhesives, printing inks, leather and cellophane.
In the oil and gas industry, the main use is to dehydrate gases.
Shell Chemicals does not sell to customers that use TEG in theatrical fogs or other artificial smoke generator applications; in the manufacture or preparation of foods or pharmaceuticals where glycol is not further reacted to produce a derivative product; or in aircraft de-icing applications.
IUPAC NAMES
1,2-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethane
2,2'-(ethylenedioxy) diethanol
2,2'-(Ethylenedioxy)diethanol
2,2'-(ethylenedioxy)diethanol
2,2'-(ethylenedioxy)diethanol
2,2'-(etilendioxi)dietanol
2,2'-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy)]diethanol
2,2-(ethylenedioxy)diethanol
2,2’-[1,2-Ethanediylbis(oxy)]bisethanol
2-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethan-1-ol
2-[2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol
2-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol
Ethanol, 2,2'-(1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy))bis-
Ethanol, 2,2'-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy)]bis-
TEG
TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL
Triethylene Glycol
Triethylene glycol
Triethylene Glycol
Triethylene glycol
Triethylene Glycol (TEG)
Triethylene glycol, also known as TEG.
TRIETHYLENEGLYCOL
triethyleneglycol
Triethyleneglycol
Triethylenglykol
SYNONYMS
TRIGLYCOL
TRIETHYLENE GYCOL
Triethylenglycol
TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL extrapure
TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL extrapure AR
2,2'-(1,2-Ethanediylbis(oxy))bisethanol
2,2’-(1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy))bis-ethano
2,2’-(1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy))bisethanol
Ethanol, 2,2'-(ethylenedioxy)di-
Ethanol, 2,2'-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy)]bis-
Ethanol,2,2’-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy)]bis-
Ethylene glycol-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl ether)
ethyleneglycol-bis-(2-hydroxyethylether)
Triethyleneglycolether
Triethylenglykol
Trigd
Trigen
Trigenos
Triethylene glycol ,99%
2,2'-(Ethylenedioxy)
Triethylene glycol, 99% 1LT
Triethylene glycol, 99% 2.5LT
Ethylene glycol di-β-hydroxyethyl ether
2,2'-(Ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy))diethanol
2,2'-[Ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy)]diethanol, 3,6-Dioxaoctane-1,8-diol
Triethylene glycol 99%
Triethylene Glycol (0.5 mL)
Triethylene glycol ReagentPlus(R), 99%
Triethylene glycol Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 98%
Triethylene glcol
OH-PEG3-OH
TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL BIOULTRA, ANHYDRO
HO-PEG3-OH
-(Ethylenedioxy)diethanol
2,2'-(Ethylenedioxy)diethanol
TRIETHYLENEGLYCOL, 99%TRIETHYLENEGLYCOL, 99%TRIETHYLENEGLYCOL, 99%TRIETHYLENEGLYCOL, 99%
Triethylene glycol from fandachem
2,2’-(ethylenedioxy)di-ethano
2,2’-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy)]bis-ethano
2,2’-[1,2-Ethanediylbis(oxy)]bisethanol
2,2’-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy)]bis-Ethanol
2,2’-ethylenedioxybis(ethanol)
2,2'-Ethylenedioxybis(ethanol)
2-[2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol
2-[2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethanol
3,6-Dioxaoctane-1,8-diol
bis(2-hydroxyethoxyethane)
Di-beta-hydroxyethoxyethane
TRIGOL
TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL
1,2-BIS(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)ETHANE
TEG
3,6-DIOXA-1,8-OCTANEDIOL
2,2'-ETHYLENEDIOXYETHANOL
2,2-ETHYLENEDIOXYDIETHANOL
Di-β-hydroxyethoxyethane
Triethyleneglycol,>95%
TriethyleneGlycol,Certified
