Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether

Agent Name
Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether
Alternative Name
DEGME
CAS Number
111-77-3
Formula
C5-H12-O3
Major Category
Solvents
Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether formula graphical representation
Synonyms
2-(2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol; 3,6-Dioxa-1-heptanol; DEGME; Diethylene glycol methyl ether; Diethyleneglycol monomethyl ether; Diglycol monomethyl ether; Dowanol 16; Dowanol DM; EGME, di-; Ektasolve DM; Ethanol, 2,2'-oxybis-, monomethyl ether; Ethanol, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-; Ethylene diglycol monomethyl ether; Jeffersol DM; MECB; Methoxydiglycol; Methyl carbitol; Methyl digol; Methyl dioxitol; Methyl karbitol [Czech]; Poly-Solv DM; beta-Methoxy-beta'-hydroxydiethyl ether; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Glycol Ethers (E Series)
Description
Colorless liquid; [Hawley] Hygroscopic; [HSDB]
Sources/Uses
Used as a solvent for wood stains, lacquers, inks, textile dye pastes, paints, waxes, dyes, and nitrocellulose resins; Also used in brake fluid, aviation fuel anti-icing additive, and inert ingredient in pesticides; [HSDB] Used as an intermediate; [Hawley] Not produced commercially in the EU; [Glycol Ethers Online]
Comments
Defats the skin; Can be absorbed through the skin; "Animal tests show that this substance possibly causes toxicity to human reproduction or development." [ICSC] Labeled as "May impair fertility" and "May cause harm to the unborn child" by EU regulations; [Glycol Ethers Online] Readily oxidizes in air forming unstable peroxides that can spontaneously explode; May cause eye irritation; [CAMEO] An irritant; [MSDSonline] See "GLYCOL ETHERS."
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

MAK
50 mg/m3
Vapor Pressure
0.25 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LC (rat) > 2,000 mg/m3/1h
Explanatory Notes
VP from ChemIDplus;
NFPA
high ambient temp required

Adverse Effects

Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Nephrotoxin
Yes
Reproductive Toxin
Yes

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: