Ethylene glycol
High-Performance Freeze Protection Agent: Exhibiting a low melting point (-13°C) and a high boiling point (198°C), this compound delivers effective protection against both freezing and boiling in engine systems.
Essential Feedstock for PET Manufacturing: It constitutes a fundamental raw material in the production of polyester fibers, polymers, and synthetic resins.
Multi-Purpose Industrial Solvent and Humectant: This substance acts as a cost-effective substitute for glycerol, serving roles as a solvent in pharmaceutical applications and a hygroscopic agent in leather processing.
Safe and Economical Bulk Handling: It is a water-miscible liquid that remains stable under refrigeration (2-8°C). Transportation is economically viable in bulk quantities, with a minimum order quantity of one full container load.
Ethylene glycol's principal applications are as an antifreeze in automotive engine cooling systems and as a primary precursor for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) synthesis, essential for manufacturing polyester fibers and plastics. It also serves in the production of synthetic resins, solvents, lubricants, surfactants, softeners, humectants, and explosives. Within industrial processes, it often acts as a cost-effective alternative to glycerol, fulfilling roles as a humectant in leather treatment and a solvent in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Melting point | -13 °C (lit.) |
Boiling point | 195-198 °C |
density | 1.113 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.) |
vapor density | 2.1 (vs air) |
vapor pressure | 0.08 mm Hg ( 20 °C) |
refractive index | n20/D 1.431(lit.) |
Fp | 230 °F |
storage temp. | 2-8°C |
solubility | water: miscible |
form | Viscous Liquid |
pka | 14.22(at 25℃) |
color | blue |
Relative polarity | 0.79 |
PH | 6-7.5 (100g/l, H2O, 20℃) |
Odor | Odorless |
explosive limit | 3.2%(V) |
Water Solubility | miscible |
FreezingPoint | -11.5℃ |
Sensitive | Hygroscopic |
λmax | λ: 260 nm Amax: ≤0.03 |
Merck | 14,3798 |
BRN | 505945 |
Exposure limits | Ceiling limit in air for vapor and mist 50 ppm (~125 mg/m3) (ACGIH); TWA 10 mg/m3 (particulates) (MSHA). |
Dielectric constant | 37.0（20℃） |
LogP | -1.36 at 25℃ |
Surface tension | 47.7mN/m at 20°C |
CAS DataBase Reference | 107-21-1(CAS DataBase Reference) |
NIST Chemistry Reference | 1,2-Ethanediol(107-21-1) |
EPA Substance Registry System | Ethylene glycol (107-21-1) |
Safety Information
Hazard Codes | Xn |
Risk Statements | 22-36-41 |
Safety Statements | 26-39-36/37/39 |
WGK Germany | 3 |
RTECS | KW2975000 |
Autoignition Temperature | 752 °F |
TSCA | Yes |
HS Code | 29053100 |
Hazardous Substances Data | 107-21-1(Hazardous Substances Data) |
Toxicity | LD50 in rats, guinea pigs (g/kg): 8.54, 6.61 orally (Smyth); in mice (ml/kg): 13.79 orally (Bornmann) |
Although a potent solvent, ethylene glycol is not widely employed as a general-purpose solvent because it is metabolized via oxidation in biological systems, resulting in the formation of toxic oxalic acid.
