Product Details

Butyl Glycol Acetate

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Butyl glycol acetate (2Butoxyethyl acetate) or butyl glycol acetate is a colorless to pale yellowish liquid, transparent, with a relatively mild odor and moderate solubility. Butyl glycol acetate solvent has a high boiling point and low volatility. This substance is soluble in a wide range of solvents, while its solubility in water is low.

Generally, this substance is used in various industries to bond materials, make one-piece formulations, and to facilitate the mixing process of materials. Butyl glycol acetate solvent has both ester and ether linkage groups, so it exhibits similar properties to both groups in reactions. This material is widely used in the manufacture of polyvinyl acetate, and its presence creates resistance to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and consequently increases their functional properties.

Usages

Due to its moderate solubility, this compound is widely used in various industries. The most common use of butyl glycol acetate is in the process of producing paints and resins as a paint solvent. The following are some of the uses of butyl glycol acetate:

One of the most important uses of this compound is in the coatings and adhesives industry. The use of this product makes the coatings shiny and uniform at a temperature of 150 to 250 degrees Celsius.
Due to its proper solubility and high evaporation temperature, this compound prevents the formation of grooves caused by brush movement and the uniformity of cellulose nitrate and cellulose ether varnishes.
Other uses of butyl glycol acetate include its use in the printing industry. This compound is a component of flexographic, gravure and screen printing inks.
This material is also used in the production of fountain pen ink, special dyes for dyeing and fabric printing.
Another use of butyl glycol acetate is in furniture polishing to remove stains on wood, furniture polish and wood decoration.
Another use of this compound is in the manufacture of cosmetic products and liquid soaps.
It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as an extraction solvent for certain antibiotics.
Due to its polar and non-polar nature, this compound is used in the cleaning industry to remove grease and oil.
Butyl glycol acetate solvents are also suitable for the production of agricultural pesticides.
This compound can also be a raw material in the production of artificial silk.

Storage conditions

As mentioned, butyl glycol acetate is a flammable solvent, its flash point is 71℃ (the lowest temperature at which a liquid ignites), and therefore it is recommended that the storage tanks of this solvent be kept away from heat sources, direct sunlight, and in an open or closed environment with proper ventilation. In case of spillage or leakage on the ground, employees should wear appropriate clothing and move heat sources away from the scene of the incident, and clean the area of ​​the solvent as soon as possible. In the event of a fire, use alcohol-resistant powder or foam and carbon dioxide capsules. Physical damage to tanks containing this solvent should be prevented, and fire extinguishing equipment should also be installed next to these tanks.

In case of spillage or leakage on the ground, the source of the spill should be blocked first, employees should wear appropriate clothing and keep heat sources away from the scene of the accident. If the amount of spillage is small, it should be collected using appropriate absorbents and then the area should be washed with water spray. If the amount of spillage is large, this solvent should be collected from the ground or the environment where it has been spread as soon as possible. In the next steps, the collected solvent can be regenerated, but its disposal requires compliance with environmental considerations. Firefighting equipment should be deployed at the same time and personnel should remove the sources of fire from the scene of the accident.

In the event of a fire, unnecessary entry into the fire area should be prevented. Its hot vapors, because they are heavier than air, can travel long distances and, when mixed with air, have the possibility of catching fire wherever they reach, even by an electrical discharge. This should be anticipated and prevented. The use of direct water flow may cause the fire to spread. The use of foam and powder are appropriate in cases of fire with this solvent.

What is butyl glycol acetate and what is its use?

In this article, we have introduced butyl glycol acetate. The formula of butyl glycol acetate, molecular shape, physical and chemical properties, its applications in industries, production method, and finally, safety tips and issues regarding storage and working with this chemical have been examined.

 

Introduction to butyl glycol acetate

Butyl glycol acetate (2Butoxyethyl acetate) or butyl glycol acetate is a colorless to pale yellowish liquid, transparent, with a relatively mild odor and moderate solubility. The butyl glycol acetate solvent has a high boiling point and low volatility. This material is soluble in a wide range of solvents, while its solubility in water is low.

Generally, this material is used in various industries to bond materials, make one-piece formulations, and facilitate the mixing process. Butyl glycol acetate solvent has both ester and ether linkage groups, so it exhibits similar properties to both groups in reactions. This material is widely used in the manufacture of polyvinyl acetate, and its presence creates resistance to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and consequently increases their functional properties.

 

Chemical and physical characteristics of butyl glycol acetate

 

AppearanceClear colorless liquid
Molecular formulaC8H16O3
Molar mass160.2 g·mol−1
Density0.94 g/cm3, liquid
Melting point−63 °C to -72°C
Boiling point‎192 °C
Solubility in water1.5% at 20°C

 

Physical and chemical properties

  • Melting point about -64 degrees Celsius
  • Boiling point about 192 degrees Celsius
  • Relative density about 0.945
  • Flash point between 71 and 88 degrees Celsius
  • Flash point between 300 and 340 degrees Celsius
  • At 20 degrees Celsius, viscosity of 1.8 mPascals

 

Storage, storage and transportation tips

 

After purchasing the product, be sure to note that this material is stable under standard conditions and has a specific gravity of 0.9422 and a flash point of 71.1 °C (closed cup test) and should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated area. This material should also be kept away from all possible sources of ignition and its container should be tightly closed until needed for use.

It is usually transported in carbon steel or stainless steel drums or in tank cars. There are no regulations for the transportation of this material, but it should be noted that it is flammable and for greater safety, the container containing this material should be marked as Xn, because it is dangerous if swallowed.

Introduction to Butyl Glycol Acetate

Butyl glycol acetate (2Butoxyethyl acetate) or butyl glycol acetate is a colorless to pale yellowish liquid, transparent, with a relatively mild odor and moderate solubility. Butyl glycol acetate solvent has a high boiling point and low volatility. This substance is soluble in a wide range of solvents, while its solubility in water is low.

Generally, this substance is used in various industries to bond materials, make one-piece formulations, and to facilitate the mixing process. Butyl glycol acetate solvent has both ester and ether bond groups, so it exhibits similar properties to both groups in reactions. This material is widely used in the manufacture of polyvinyl acetate and its presence creates resistance to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, thereby increasing their functional properties.

Butyl Glycol Acetate Formula

Formula: C8H16O3

Butyl Glycol Acetate Structural FormulaButyl Glycol Acetate Molecular Structure

 

Chemical and physical characteristics of butyl glycol Acetate

 

AppearanceClear colorless liquid
Molecular formulaC8H16O3
Molar mass160.2 g·mol−1
Density0.94 g/cm3, liquid
Melting point−63 °C to -72°C
Boiling point‎192 °C
Solubility in water1.5% at 20°C

 

Butyl Glycol Acetate Uses

Due to its moderate solubility, this compound has a wide range of applications in various industries. The most common use of butyl glycol acetate is in the paint and resin production process as a paint solvent. The following are some of the uses of butyl glycol acetate:

  • One of the most important uses of this compound is in the coatings and adhesives industry. Using this product makes the coatings shiny and uniform at temperatures of 150 to 250 degrees Celsius.
  • Due to the proper solubility and high evaporation temperature of this compound, it prevents the formation of grooves caused by brush movement and makes cellulose nitrate and cellulose ether varnishes uniform.
  • Another use of butyl glycol acetate is in the printing industry. This compound is a component of flexographic, gravure and screen printing inks.
  • This substance is also used in the production of fountain pen ink, special dyes for dyeing and printing fabrics.
  • Another use of butyl glycol acetate is in furniture polishing to remove stains on wood, furniture polishing and wood decoration.
  • Another use of this compound is in the manufacture of cosmetic products and liquid soaps.
  • It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as an extraction solvent for certain antibiotics.
  • Due to its polar and non-polar nature, this compound is used in the cleaning industry to remove grease and oil.
  • Butyl glycol acetate solvents are also suitable for the production of agricultural pesticides.
  • This compound can also be a raw material in the production of artificial silk.
Butyl Glycol Acetate Uses in Industry
Butyl Glycol Acetate Uses in Adhesives and Paints Cover

 

Butyl glycol acetate production

In one method for producing butyl glycol acetate, ethylene oxide is dehydrated with normal butyl alcohol, resulting in the production of ethylene glycol butyl ether. In the next step of the reaction of butylene glycol butyl ether with acetic acid, ethylene glycol butyl ether acetic acid chloride will be produced.

In another method, the esterification reaction is used to prepare butyl glycol acetate. In this method, glycol butyl ether and acetic acid are used as raw materials. This process is carried out in the presence of a catalyst at an esterification temperature of 70 to 150 degrees Celsius. The water produced in the reaction is removed by azeotropic distillation. In this method, the esterification reaction is modified and the unreacted ethylene glycol butyl ether and acetic acid are recovered.

In addition to continuous production, this method has advantages such as simplicity of production operations, improved efficiency, reduced production costs, and reduced emissions of solid pollutants and wastewater on a large scale, which is of great value in the industry.

Butyl Glycol Safety Tips Acetate

  • Butyl glycol acetate is a flammable and dangerous compound. This substance should be stored in a safe place and separately from other substances, away from flammable materials and direct sunlight. If stored indoors, it should be stored in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place. The container lid should be tightly closed until used. ¹
  • In the event of a fire, the use of foam and powder is appropriate for extinguishing the fire. And avoid unnecessary entry into the fire area.
  • Since inhalation of this substance causes respiratory problems, headaches and dizziness, it is essential to use gloves, work clothes, glasses and a mask when using it.
  • In case of contact with the eyes, be sure to rinse the eyes with plenty of cold water and see a doctor. Prolonged exposure to this compound can cause kidney damage, liver damage and blood diseases.