99% Diethylene Glycol Dibutyl Ether CAS 112-73-2

What is diethylene glycol dibutyl ether (DGE)? What are its non-industrial applications?

1. What is Diethylene Glycol Dibutyl Ether?

Diethylene glycol dibutyl ether (also known as diethylene glycol dibutyl ether, dibutyl carbitol, butyl diglyme, bis(2-butoxyethyl) ether) is a diether compound formed by the etherification of the hydroxyl groups at both ends of a diethylene glycol molecule with n-butyl groups. It is a typical high-boiling-point, low-volatility, environmentally friendly ether solvent. Its chemical formula is written as:

C12H26O3 (bis(2-butoxyethyl) ether, CAS No.: 112-73-2, EINECS No.: 204-001-9, molecular weight approximately 218.33)

It is a colorless, clear liquid at room temperature with a slight ether odor. Its relative density is 0.8853 (20℃), melting point is -60℃, boiling point is about 254.6℃, flash point is 118℃ (open cup), refractive index is 1.4240, and viscosity is 2.4 mPa·s (20℃). It is slightly soluble in water (0.3 g/100 mL, 20℃) and miscible with organic solvents such as alcohols, ethers, ketones, and halogenated hydrocarbons.

From a molecular structure perspective, the DEGDBE molecule consists of a diethylene glycol (-OCH2CH2OCH2CH2-) backbone with a butyl group (-C4H9) attached to each end, i.e., CH3(CH2)3OCH2CH2OCH2CH2O(CH2)3CH3, containing two ether bond oxygen atoms. This "double ether bond + long alkyl tail" structure gives it both good solubility and low water solubility. Combined with its high boiling point, high flash point, low vapor pressure, and low toxicity , it becomes a chemically stable, alkali-resistant, non-hydrolyzable, and thermally stable high-boiling-point inert solvent, widely used in delicate applications requiring high-temperature, inert, and low-volatility reaction conditions.

Non-industrial grade DEGDBE is used in analytical testing, scientific research and precision manufacturing applications where higher purity and impurity control is required. Common specifications are Reagent Grade, Analytical Grade (AR) and High Purity Grade (99% or above). Besides industrial grade, non-industrial grade products have higher purity and fewer impurities, and pay attention to the following indicators:

1. Content (cleanliness)

Non-industrial grade is usually more than 99% pure; the content determines the solubility, repeatability of the reaction and reliability of analytical results.

2.Moisture Content

Moisture affects solubility, storage stability, and is particularly important in water sensitive applications such as the Grignard reaction. Moisture must be tightly controlled.

3. Value of peroxide

Ether solvents are susceptible to oxidation and peroxide formation during long-term storage, which can impact subsequent reactions and safety. Non-industrial grade products must have very low levels of peroxide and stabilisers.

4.Residue on evaporation (non-volatile residue)

The evaporation residue is representative of the total impurity content and is of concern in analytical chemistry, electronics and precision manufacturing applications. It must be controlled to very low levels.

5.acid number

Acid value indicates the amount of free acid present. The acid value must be strictly controlled, as too high an acid value will affect the stability of the reaction system and the analytical results.

6.Colour (APHA)

The colour impacts the transparency and appearance of the products downstream, and the non-industrial grade products should be lighter and more stable in colour.

Ethylene glycol dibutyl ether (CAS No. 112-48-1) is the dibutyl ether of ethylene glycol. It is a different compound than diethylene glycol dibutyl ether (CAS No. 112-73-2), which differs only by one letter. They have different molecular formulae, boiling points and uses. Please refer to the CAS number when buying and using ethylene glycol dibutyl ether to avoid any confusion.

What are the uses of Diethylene Glycol and Dibutyl Ether?

1. High-boiling-point solvents and coating additives (core application)

DEGDBE is a high-boiling-point, low-volatility, environmentally friendly solvent used as a thinner and co-solvent for coatings, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) latex , wall paints, wood coatings , industrial coatings , and paints . It helps adjust viscosity, improve leveling, prevent pinholes and orange peel, and is also used in resin dissolving and cleaning formulations.

2. Analytical Chemistry and Laboratory Solvents (Core Applications)

Reagent grade DEGDBE can be used as an inert solvent and high temperature reaction medium for water sensitive synthesis of organic compounds such as Grignard reactions. It is also applicable to spectroscopy, chromatography, titration analysis, sample pretreatment and preparation of standard solution. Its high boiling point, low volatility and chemical inertness guarantee the stability of the reaction system and the reliability of the analytical results.

3. Purification and Recovery of Noble Metals

High purity DEGDBE is employed as extraction solvent in gold refining and precious metal recovery. It is characterised by low solubility in water, high selectivity and chemical stability, and plays an important role in the processes of separation and extraction of precious metals.

4. Electrochemistry and Energy Research

DEGDBE is used as an electrolyte solvent and reaction medium in electrochemical research, and in gas absorption and separation research. It is used for the scientific research and development of new energy and materials fields such as batteries and electrocatalysis.

5. Gas absorption and separation

DEGDBE is used as an absorbent solvent for gas absorption and separation processes, which is useful for gas purification and chemical separation processes due to the ability of DEGDBE to dissolve specific gases.

6. Special ink solvents

DEGDBE is a high boiling point solvent used in special inks such as ceramic decorative inks and digital inks to modify viscosity and drying speed and to improve printability and pattern quality.

7. Solvent for liquid-liquid extraction

DEGDBE is used as a solvent for liquid-liquid extraction . It can extract fatty acids from dilute solutions and separate and refine alkyl phosphates. An important extraction medium in oleochemicals, fine chemicals and food additives .

8. Hydraulic and brake fluid medium

DEGDBE is used as a high boiling point solvent and diluent in automotive brake fluid and as a hydraulic fluid medium. Its high boiling point, low viscosity, excellent low temperature performance and thermal stability allow it to be used in hydraulic systems safely and reliably.

9. Surface Preparation and Metal Cleaning

DEGDBE is used in metal parts cleaners as a high-boiling solvent for the removal of oils and processing residues. It is used in the metal processing and surface treatment industries.

10. Minerals flotation reagents

DEGDBE has been used as an auxiliary reagent component in mineral flotation, to assist in improving the efficiency of flotation separation, and serve the mining and beneficiation industry.

11. Perfume and Daily Chemical Industry

DEGDBE is also used as a solvent in extraction and blending of fragrance. It is used in the fragrance and flavour industry because of its low toxicity and mild odour.

12. Media of Reaction and Chemical Syntheses

DEGDBE is used as a reaction solvent and coupling agent in organic synthesis and as a reaction intermediate. It is suitable for high temperature reaction systems because of its thermal stability and chemical inertness.

Summary

Diethylene glycol dibutyl ether (dibutyl carbitol, C12H26O3, CAS No. 112-73-2, EINECS No. 204-001-9) is a clear and colourless liquid. It has a boiling point of ~254.6℃ and a flash point of 118℃. It is slightly miscible in water and miscible with most organic solvents. It has a “double ether bond + long alkyl tail” structure and is chemically inert, so it is a high-performance ether solvent for high-purity applications. We see this in our daily life in the form of gold jewellery, ceramics and products of digital printing, scientific research and testing institutions, and high-tech products. DEGDBE is widely used as a solvent in analytical chemistry and laboratories, a medium for organic chemical synthesis reactions such as Grignard reaction, refining and extraction of precious metals, electrochemical and energy research, gas absorption and separation, a solvent for speciality inks, a liquid-liquid extraction agent and in scientific research and teaching in non-industrial applications. It is a high boiling point, environmentally friendly solvent that bridges “high-purity ether solvent chemistry” with “analysis, precious metals and precision manufacturing.”