112-34-5 Usage
Reactivity Profile
Butyldiglycol is a ether-alcohol derivative. The ether being relatively unreactive. Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination of alcohols with alkali metals, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. They react with oxoacids and carboxylic acids to form esters plus water. Oxidizing agents convert alcohols to aldehydes or ketones. Alcohols exhibit both weak acid and weak base behavior. They may initiate the polymerization of isocyanates and epoxides.
General Description
Colorless liquid with a mild pleasant odor. Mixes with water.
Uses
Solvent.
Chemical Properties
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether is a colorless, high-boiling liquid with a mild odour. It is miscible in proportions with water, alcohol (methanol), ketones (acetone), ethers (ethyl ether), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene), paraffinic hydrocarbons (n-heptane), and halogenated hydrocarbons (carbon tetrachloride). As it is an ether-alcohol type compound it possesses solvent action for many substances such as oils, dyes, gums, and natural and synthetic resins. It is used as a high-boiling solvent in nitrocellulose lacquers and other synthetic coatings, baking lacquers, flash-dry printing inks, and dye bath.
Safety Profile
Moderately toxic by
ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Mddly
toxic by skin contact. A severe eye irritant.
Combustible when exposed to heat or
flame; can react with oxidizing materials. To
fight fire, use alcohol foam, CO2, or dry
chemical. When heated to decomposition it
emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. See
also GLYCOL ETHERS.
Chemical Reactivity
Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
Contact allergens
This organic solvent belongs to the carbitols group and
is included in waterbased liquids such as paints, surface
cleaners, polishes, and disinfectants. It is considered
to be an exceptional allergen.
Uses
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (DGBE)is used as a solvent for cellulose ester,lacquers, varnishes, and dyes; as a primarycomponent of the aqueous film-forming foam that is used by the U.S. Navy in shipboardfirefighting systems (Hobson et al. 1987).
Health Hazard
DGBE showed low toxicity in test species.Toxic symptoms are similar to those ofother glycol ethers containing two etherealoxygen atoms. The routes of entry into thebody are ingestion and absorption throughthe skin. Hobson and coworkers (1987)investigated the subchronic oral toxicity ofDGBE in rats. The toxic effects observedwere lowering of food consumption, elevatedliver and spleen weights, lowered redblood cell counts and lymphocyte counts,and a dose-related decrease in corpuscularhemoglobin concentration. The high dosescaused pulmonary congestion. No renaldamage was reported.LD50 value, oral (guinea pigs): 2000 mg/kgDGBE is an eye irritant. There is no reporton teratogenicity of this compound.
Purification Methods
Dry the ether with anhydrous K2CO3 or CaSO4, filter and fractionally distil it. Peroxides can be removed by refluxing with stannous chloride or a mixture of FeSO4 and KHSO4 (or, less completely, by filtration under slight pressure through a column of activated alumina). [Beilstein 1 IV 2394.]
Waste Disposal
DGBE is mixed with a combustible solventand burned in a chemical incinerator. Smallamounts may be disposed down the drainwith large amounts of water.
Health Hazard
Inhalation for brief periods has no significant effect. Contact with liquid causes moderate irritation of eyes and corneal injury. Prolonged contact with skin causes only minor irritation.
Fire Hazard
Butyldiglycol is combustible.
Air & Water Reactions
Oxidizes readily in air to form unstable peroxides that may explode spontaneously [Bretherick, 1979 p.151-154, 164]. Water soluble.
InChI:InChI=1/C8H18O.C4H10O3/c1-3-5-7-9-8-6-4-2;5-1-3-7-4-2-6/h3-8H2,1-2H3;5-6H,1-4H2