ethylene glycol diacetate

Ethylene glycol diacetate is a colorless liquid ester solvent with a green floral and estery odor, widely used in industrial applications as a low-toxicity solvent.

General Material Description

Ethylene glycol diacetate, also known as glycol diacetate among multiple synonyms, is an ester with molecular formula C₆H₁₀O₄. It appears as a colorless liquid characterized by a green floral estery alcoholic odor. This compound is used primarily as a solvent in various industrial applications. Its controlled vocabulary entry can be found in PubChem. Ethylene glycol diacetate is generally obtained through the diacetylation of ethylene glycol. Due to its physicochemical properties, it finds applications where moderate evaporation rate and solvent power for various formulations are required.

Occurrence, Applicability & Potential Uses

Ethylene glycol diacetate does not typically occur naturally but is synthetically produced for use mainly as a solvent. Its solvent properties enable its utilization in industries such as coatings, inks, and adhesives. The compound’s moderate volatility and solvent strength make it suitable for applications requiring slower evaporation. Regulatory frameworks such as REACH (EU) encompass its registration and use, ensuring compliance with chemical safety standards. Despite its usage as a solvent, it is not recommended for fragrance or flavor applications according to current guidance.

Physico-Chemical Properties Summary

Ethylene glycol diacetate exhibits a boiling range between approximately 187 and 193 °C at standard atmospheric pressure, reflecting moderate volatility compatible with industrial solvent uses. The compound’s specific gravity ranges narrowly around 1.106 to 1.108 at 20 °C, indicating a density somewhat greater than water. Its refractive index lies between 1.415 and 1.417 at 20 °C, consistent with ester solvents. Vapor pressure is low at 0.2 mmHg at 20 °C, reducing rapid evaporation. The estimated logP value of 0.4 suggests a relatively low lipophilicity, affecting solvent solvency and potential environmental behavior. Solubility in alcohol is good, and it is moderately soluble in water at approximately 178000 mg/L at 25 °C.

FAQ

What is ethylene glycol diacetate and what are its key physical characteristics?

Ethylene glycol diacetate is a synthetic ester solvent with the molecular formula C₆H₁₀O₄. It presents as a colorless liquid featuring a green floral estery odor. Key physical parameters include a boiling point range of 187 to 193 °C, specific gravity near 1.107 at 20 °C, and low vapor pressure of around 0.2 mmHg at 20 °C. These properties indicate its suitability for industrial solvent applications requiring moderate evaporation rates.

In what industries and applications is ethylene glycol diacetate commonly used?

Primarily employed as a solvent, ethylene glycol diacetate finds use in coatings, inks, and adhesive formulations where moderate volatility and solvency are beneficial. Its ability to dissolve a wide range of compounds makes it valuable for industrial formulations. It is not used for fragrance or flavor purposes. The compound’s chemical stability and moderate hydrophilicity enable it to function effectively in various solvent blends and processing environments.

What safety standards and regulations govern the usage of ethylene glycol diacetate?

Ethylene glycol diacetate is regulated under chemical registration frameworks such as REACH in the European Union. Safety assessments have found no significant hazard classifications under OSHA (29 CFR 1910) standards. Usage recommendations exclude fragrance and flavor applications. Toxicological data report relatively high oral and dermal LD50 values, indicating moderate toxicity levels. Compliance with safety data sheets and local regulations ensures its safe industrial handling.

US / EU / FDA / JECFA / FEMA / Scholar / Patents

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Other Information

(IUPAC):	Atomic Weights of the Elements 2011 (pdf)
Videos:	The Periodic Table of Videos
tgsc:	Atomic Weights use for this web site
(IUPAC):	Periodic Table of the Elements
FDA Indirect Additives used in Food Contact Substances:	View
CHEMBL:	View
HMDB (The Human Metabolome Database):	Search
Export Tariff Code:	2918.99.4700
Formulations/Preparations: grades or purity: 98+%

General Material Information

Preferred name	ethylene glycol diacetate
Trivial Name	Glycol diacetate
Short Description	ethylene diacetate
Formula	C6 H10 O4
CAS Number	111-55-7
ECHA Number	203-881-1
FDA UNII	9E5JC3Q7WJ
Nikkaji Number	J10.596A
Beilstein Number	1762308
MDL	MFCD00008718
Bio Activity Summary	External link
NMR Predictor	External link
Synonyms	2-acetyloxyethyl acetate 1,2-diacetoxyethane 1,2-ethane dilyl diacetate ethane-1,2-diyl diacetate 1,2-ethanediol diacetate 1,2-ethanediol, 1,2-diacetate 1,2-ethanediol, diacetate ethylene di(acetate) ethylene diacetate ethylene diethanoate glycol diacetate acetyloxyethyl acetate 1,2-Ethanediol, 1,2-diacetate Ethylene glycol, diacetate 1,2-Ethanediol, diacetate Ethylene acetate 1,2-Diacetoxyethane Ethanediol diacetate Aptex Donor H-plus NSC 8853 Novaset NH Novaset NH Medium Hardener 1,2-Ethanediyl diacetate EGDA S 2000 2-Acetyloxyethyl acetate 2-(Acetyloxy)ethyl acetate Flodur 3

Suppliers

BOC Sciences	LBB Specialties
Eastman Chemical	EMD Millipore
Kraft Chemical	Santa Cruz Biotechnology
Sigma-Aldrich: Aldrich	TCI AMERICA

PhysChem Properties

Material listed in food chemical codex	No
Molecular weight	146.14250183105
Specific gravity	@ 20 °C
Pounds per Gallon	9.214 to 9.23
Refractive Index	1.415 to 1.417 @ 20 °C
Boiling Point	187 to 193°C @ 760 mm Hg
Vapor Pressure	0.2 mmHg @ 20 °C
Vapor Density	5
Flash Point TCC Value	88 °C TCC
logP (o/w)	0.4 est
Solubility
alcohol	Yes
water, 178000 mg/L @ 25 °C (exp)	Yes

Organoleptic Properties

Odor Type: Green
green, floral, estery, alcoholic
General comment	At 100.00 %. green floral estery alcoholic

Safety Information

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View

Hazards identification

Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements

Pictogram

Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
oral-rat LD50 6850 mg/kg Union Carbide Data Sheet. Vol. 6/6/1969 intraperitoneal-mouse LD50 1190 mg/kg Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Vol. 90, Pg. 338, 1947. oral-guinea pig LD50 4940 mg/kg GASTROINTESTINAL: OTHER CHANGES KIDNEY, URETER, AND BLADDER: OTHER CHANGES BEHAVIORAL: GENERAL ANESTHETIC Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Vol. 23, Pg. 259, 1941.
Dermal Toxicity:
skin-rabbit LD50 8480 ul/kg Union Carbide Data Sheet. Vol. 6/6/1969
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
solvents
Recommendation for ethylene glycol diacetate usage levels up to:
	not for fragrance use.

Recommendation for ethylene glycol diacetate flavor usage levels up to:
	not for flavor use.