1. ETHYLENE GLYCOL BUTYL ETHER
(EGBE)
EGBE is a key ingredient in hundreds of
products ranging from industrial and consumer EGBE is produced by reacting ethylene oxide
cleaning solutions to water- and solvent-based and normal butanol (n-butanol) using a
paints and coatings. EGBE’s popularity stems catalyst. If the ratio of ethylene oxide to n-
from several special performance butanol is greater than one, di- and tri-ethylene
characteristics that also provide economic glycol monoethers are produced along with the
value. EGBE.
EGBE is an organic solvent with the formula
C6H14O2. It is a colorless liquid, ether-like
odour. It is a butyl ether of ethylene glycol. It is
a type of glycol ether and remains the single
most widely produced glycol ether. It is
primarily used as a solvent. It evaporates
quickly and is completely soluble in water.
EGBE is sold commercially under a variety of
names. EGBE is also referred to by its
chemical names:
• 2-Butoxy-1-ethanol
• Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether
• 2-Butoxyethanol EGBE is used in coatings and cleaner
• Ethylene glycol butyl ether (EGBE) applications, including many in consumer
• Butyl CELLOSOLVE markets. It is used for:
• Butyl glycol ether (BGE)
 Active solvent for solvent-based coatings
 Coalescent for industrial water-based
coatings
 Coupling agent for architectural water-
borne coatings
EGBE Line Structure  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
EGBE Space-filling Model  Solvent for agricultural pesticides
CHEMICAL NAME Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether EGBE has been used for more than half a
CAS NUMBER 111-76-2 century. Today it is used extensively in both
MOLECULAR FORMULA C6H14O2 water- and solvent-based coatings and
APPEARANCE Colorless, liquid industrial and consumer cleaners. Cleaners
BOILING POINT 171°C(340°F) at 760 mmHg made with EGBE can remove oils, fats, waxes,
STRUCTURE C4H9-O-CH2-CH2-OH greases and baked-on or ground-in residues
SOLUBILITY Miscible in both water and from floors, walls, glass, metal parts, and
organic solvents equipment. Paints and coatings that use EGBE
range from lacquers, varnishes and enamels to
water-based coatings and inks.
Compiled by Deniz Kaya -1-

2. When added to cleaners, EGBE helps lift soil accordance with product safety information
and keeps it suspended until it can be rinsed or and good hygiene practices. EGBE studies
wiped away. Because EGBE’s chemical also show it is unlikely to cause adverse
structure includes an ether and an alcohol, it environmental impacts because it is not
can attack water-insoluble oils and greases persistent, does not bioaccumulate, and has
and water-soluble stains. EGBE thus offers low toxicity to aquatic organisms.
manufacturers a variety of cleaning
capabilities, from heavy-duty industrial jobs to Research continues so that industry,
milder janitorial and household uses. government and academic scientists can
increase our knowledge about EGBE.
Because EGBE is compatible with both
petroleum solvents and water, it is found in a As with all chemicals, EGBE should be used
wide-range of coatings – from automotive and with care and in accordance with governmental
packaging coatings to wood furniture finishes. regulations. EGBE and products containing
It is used widely in water-based industrial EGBE are not intended to be ingested.
paints and coatings. Airborne concentrations of EGBE should be
maintained below permissible exposure limits.
In household products, EGBE uses include Consistent with governmental standards, skin
glass and tile cleaners, waxes, rust removers contact with EGBE before it is diluted in
and metal polishes. The same properties that commercial formulations should be avoided.
allow EGBE to dissolve and hold soils and
stains in suspension make the compound an
effective ingredient in water-based protective
paints and coatings. EGBE also acts to
dissolve or suspend pigments and resins until
the coating is applied to surfaces. Once the
coating is applied, EGBE is designed to
evaporate, leaving a uniform, dry finish.
Although some glycol ethers have been shown
to cause adverse reproductive effects and birth
defects in laboratory animals, EGBE does not
show the same pattern of toxicity as these
other glycol ethers. Human experience and
animal studies have shown that EGBE is
unlikely to cause adverse health effects when
products are used as directed. Still, when used
improperly, EGBE can cause eye, respiratory
tract and skin irritation and even burns.
EGBE is unlikely to cause adverse
environmental impact because it is not
persistent, does not bioaccumulate (build up in
the food chain), is readily biodegradable and
has low toxicity to aquatic organisms. It moves
to water when it is released because of its high
miscibility, low volatility and minimal tendency
to bind to soil or sediment. It degrades rapidly
in water.
EGBE is one of the most versatile chemicals in
the marketplace today for a wide variety of
uses. Human experience and animal studies
have shown that it is unlikely to cause adverse
health effects when used as directed and in
Compiled by Deniz Kaya -2-