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| Synonyms:Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether Butyl Cellosolve Butyl Glycol Glycol Ether EB Monobutyl glycol ether Ethylene glycol butyl ether 3-Oxa-1-heptanol 2-Butoxy-1-ethanol Molecular Formula:C6H14O2 Molecular Weight: 118.17 HS Code: 2909430000 Grade: Industrial grade 99% Hazard Class:Class 6.1 | |||||||||
111-76-2
Boss Chemical
111-76-2
2-Butoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; butyl cellosolve; EGBE; C₆H₁₄O₂, CAS 111-76-2) is a colorless, low-odor glycol ether liquid — one of the most widely used solvents in the world. It is a true coupling solvent: fully miscible with water yet an excellent solvent for resins, oils and waxes, which makes it indispensable in paints and surface coatings (about 65% of its consumption), in household and industrial cleaners, in printing inks, and as an intermediate in glycol-ether ester chemistry. It is also registered as an inert ingredient in pesticide formulations and is a CIR-reviewed cosmetic ingredient. With a moderate evaporation rate and a flash point of about 60 °C, it is a versatile workhorse solvent that must, however, be handled as a flammable liquid with normal occupational hygiene. As a manufacturer we supply consistent 2-butoxyethanol with COA, SDS and UN-classified dangerous-goods documentation on every shipment.
● Coatings & Paint Solvent (Core Application): the classic coupling solvent for paints, varnishes, lacquers and surface coatings;
● Water + Organic Dual Solvency: fully miscible with water and with most organic solvents and resins — bridges aqueous and solvent-borne systems;
● Multi-Industry Reach: household/industrial cleaners, glass and metal cleaners, printing inks, hydraulic fluids, agrochemical inerts, cosmetics;
● Moderate Evaporation, Broad Compatibility: controlled film formation in coatings and predictable performance in formulations.
Item | Specification |
Chemical Name | 2-Butoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; 2-butoxyethan-1-ol) |
Synonyms | EGBE; EGMBE; butyl cellosolve; butyl glycol; butyl oxitol; glycol ether EB |
CAS No. | 111-76-2 |
EC No. (EINECS) | 203-905-0 |
Molecular Formula | C₆H₁₄O₂ (CH₃(CH₂)₃OCH₂CH₂OH) |
Molecular Weight | 118.17 g/mol |
Appearance | Colorless liquid with a mild, pleasant ether-like odor |
Solubility | Miscible with water; soluble in mineral oil and most organic solvents |
2-Butoxyethanol, CH₃(CH₂)₃OCH₂CH₂OH (MW 118.17), is the monobutyl ether of ethylene glycol — a glycol ether in which the butyl group is attached through an ether bond to the hydroxyl-bearing ethylene chain. This combination of a hydrophobic butyl tail and a hydrophilic hydroxyl/ether head gives it its signature property: complete miscibility with water, alongside strong solvency for oils, resins, waxes and most organic solvents. It is produced industrially by reacting ethylene oxide with n-butanol under base catalysis. With a boiling point of about 168–171 °C, a melting point of about -75 °C and a moderate evaporation rate, it is a stable, low-color liquid that is widely used as a coupling, coalescing and cleaning solvent. In the body it is metabolized to 2-butoxyacetic acid (2-BAA), the biomarker used for occupational-exposure monitoring — which is why good ventilation and skin-protection measures are the industry standard wherever it is handled.
● Coupling solvent par excellence: dissolves resins and oils yet mixes fully with water.
● Coatings workhorse: about 65% of consumption goes into paints and surface coatings (SRI).
● Broad formulation value: household/industrial cleaners, glass and metal cleaners, printing inks, hydraulic fluids.
● Fully miscible in water: easy dilution and rinse-down in cleaning applications.
● Moderate evaporation rate: predictable film formation and open time in coatings.
● Consistent quality: controlled purity, water content, color and acidity with COA.
2-Butoxyethanol is primarily a coatings solvent — about 65% of consumption (SRI):
● Solvent and coupling agent in paints, varnishes, lacquers and surface coatings (ACGIH).
● Coalescing and flow-control solvent in water-borne and solvent-borne systems.
● Solvent for resins, oils and waxes in coatings and paint strippers/thinners.
● Consistent film formation with moderate evaporation.
● Household cleaners and glass cleaners (Sullivan).
● Metal cleaners and degreasers in industrial maintenance.
● Leather cleaners and general-purpose surface cleaners.
● Solvent in printing inks; significant occupational exposure in silk-screen printing.
● Carrier and coupling solvent for pigments and resins in ink formulations.
● About 20% of consumption as a chemical intermediate (SRI).
● Precursor to 2-butoxyethyl acetate (glycol ether EB acetate) and other glycol-ether esters.
● Building block for glycol-ether esters and derived additives.
● Component of hydraulic fluids (Sullivan).
● CIR-reviewed ingredient in cosmetics and personal-care products.
● Laboratory and process solvent for diverse industrial applications.
● 200 kg steel drums; 1,000 kg IBC totes; ISO tank or bulk road tanker for large orders; small packs on request;
● Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from ignition sources and open flames;
● Keep containers tightly closed; vapor/air mixtures can be explosive above ≈ 60 °C;
● Keep away from strong oxidizers.
● Factory-direct supply: own production and sourcing capability, transparent pricing, no middleman markup.
● Stable quality: strict internal control, every batch tested (purity, water content, color, acidity), COA with every shipment.
● Application know-how: coatings and cleaning-formulation experience for technical support.
● Fast response: quotations and technical support (COA, SDS, application advice); small trial orders accepted.
2-Butoxyethanol is a versatile coupling solvent. Its largest use is in paints, varnishes, lacquers and surface coatings (about 65% of consumption), where it dissolves resins and improves film formation. It is also widely used in household cleaners, glass cleaners, metal cleaners and degreasers, in printing inks, as a component of hydraulic fluids, as an intermediate in glycol-ether ester production, as an EPA-registered inert ingredient in pesticide formulations, and as a CIR-reviewed cosmetic ingredient.
2-Butoxyethanol is a flammable liquid (flash point ≈ 60 °C closed cup) classified under GHS as H302 harmful if swallowed, H315 skin irritation and H319 serious eye irritation. Its vapors are heavier than air and can form explosive mixtures above about 60 °C. It is metabolized to 2-butoxyacetic acid, which is why occupational-exposure monitoring exists — handle with adequate ventilation, protective gloves, eye protection, and keep away from ignition sources. Follow the SDS for full handling and first-aid guidance.
Because it is a true coupling solvent: it is completely miscible with water yet dissolves oils, resins, waxes and most organic solvents. In paints it improves resin solubility, flow and film formation while being easy to incorporate; in cleaners it dissolves grease and grime while remaining fully water-rinseable, which is why it is a staple of glass, metal and household cleaning formulations.
2-Butoxyethanol (C₆H₁₄O₂, CAS 111-76-2) is the butyl ether of ethylene glycol — a medium-evaporation, dual-solvency workhorse. Other glycol ethers differ in chain length, solvency and evaporation rate: propylene-glycol-based ethers (e.g. PnB, PM) have different solvency and lower toxicity profiles, while the shorter ethylene-glycol methyl/ethyl ethers are more acutely toxic and more strictly regulated. Because each glycol ether is a distinct product with its own CAS number, always specify the exact chemical (and grade) when ordering.
