2-Butoxyethanol
2080887
211205855
2008-05-09T06:24:39Z
75.95.210.51
/* Production */
{{Chembox new
| Name = 2-Butoxyethanol
| ImageFile = 2-butoxyethanol-Line-Structure.svg
| ImageName = 2-Butoxyethanol
| IUPACName = 2-Butoxyethanol
| OtherNames = butyl cellosolve<br />butyl glycol<br />ethylene glycol monobutyl ether<br />Dowanol<br />Bane-Clene<br />Eastman EB solvent
| Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers
| SMILES = OCCOCCCC
| CASNo = 111-76-2
| RTECS = KJ8575000
}}
| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
| Formula = C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>14</sub>O<sub>2</sub>
| MolarMass = 118.18 g/mol
| Appearance = Clear, colourless liquid
| Density = 0.90 g/cm³, liquid
| Solubility = Miscible
| MeltingPt = −77 °C (196 K)
| BoilingPt = 171 °C (444 K)
| pKa = high pK<sub>a</sub> for -OH group
| Viscosity = 2.9 c[[Poise|P]] at 25 °C
}}
| Section3 = {{Chembox Structure
| Dipole =
}}
| Section7 = {{Chembox Hazards
| ExternalMSDS = [http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/b6100.htm MSDS by Mallinckrodt Baker]
| EUClass = Harmful ('''Xn''')
| RPhrases = {{R20/21/22}}, {{R36/38}}
| SPhrases = {{S2}}, {{S36/37}}, {{S46}}
| FlashPt = 60 °C
}}
| Section8 = {{Chembox Related
| Function = [[ether]]s
| OtherFunctn = [[2-Methoxyethanol]]<br />[[2-Ethoxyethanol]]
| OtherCpds = [[Ethylene glycol]]
}}
}}
'''2-Butoxyethanol''' is an [[organic solvent]] with the formula C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>14</sub>O<sub>2</sub>. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet, ether-like odour. It is a butyl ether of [[ethylene glycol]], but should not be confused with it.
==Production==
In 2006, the total [[Europe]]an production of all butyl glycol ethers amounted to 181 [[kilo-|kilo]][[ton]]s per annum (kt/a), approximately 50% (90 kt/a) of which was 2-butoxyethanol. World production is estimated to be 200 to 500 kt/a, of which 75% is for paints and coatings.
Main producers include:
* [[Imperial Chemical Industries|ICI]]
* [[Union Carbide]]
* [[BP]] Chemicals
* [[Shell Chemicals]]
* [[Eastman Chemical]]
* [[The Dow Chemical Company]]
==Uses==
The main use of 2-butoxyethanol is as a solvent in [[paint]]s and surface coatings, followed by cleaning products and [[ink]]s. Other products which contain 2-butoxyethanol include [[Polymethyl methacrylate|acrylic]] resin formulations, [[asphalt]] release agents, firefighting foam, leather protectors, [[oil spill]] dispersants and photographic strip solutions. 2-Butoxyethanol is a primary ingredient of various [[whiteboard]] cleaners, liquid [[soap]]s, [[cosmetics]], [[dry cleaning]] solutions, [[lacquer]]s, [[varnish]]es, [[herbicide]]s, and [[latex]] [[paint]]s. It also seems to be excellent at killing most insects and arachnids.
It is the main ingredient of many home, commercial, and industrial cleaning solutions. It is manufactured by the [[Eastman Kodak]] company under catalog # EK1364579, and Kodak Laboratory Chemicals catalog # P2270.
==Safety==
It is recommended that one use precautions when working with glycol ethers such as 2-butoxyethanol. Employers are required by United States federal law to inform employees when they are working with these substances.<ref>{{cite web | title = Glycol Ethers Fact Sheet | publisher = California Hazard Evaluation and Information Service | url = http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb/HESIS/glycols.htm }}</ref>
Some animal studies indicate that it produces reproductive problems, such as reduced fertility, death of embryos and birth defects.<ref>{{cite web | title = Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl | publisher = [[Environmental Health Perspectives]] | url = http://www.ehponline.org/members/1997/Suppl-1/cas762.html | date = 1997-05-02}}</ref> People exposed to high levels of 2-butoxyethanol for several hours have reported nose and eye irritation, headaches, vomiting and a metallic taste in their mouths. In addition to inhaling 2-butoxyethanol vapor, research has shown that skin can also absorb 2-butoxyethanol vapor from the air, making skin a major pathway of exposure to this chemical.
2-Butoxyethanol is frequently found in popular cleaning products. It is difficult for consumers to know whether their favorite cleaner contains the chemical because manufacturers are not required to list it on the label.<ref>{{cite news | title = Hazard warning on home cleaners: Study says many use chemicals linked to fertility problems | author = Jane Kay | date = 2007-07-24 | url = http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/07/24/HAZARDS.TMP&tsp=1 | publisher = [[San Francisco Chronicle]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Potential Hazards of Home Cleaning Products | publisher = Women's Voices for the Earth | author = Alexandra Gorman | url = http://www.womenandenvironment.org/campaignsandprograms/SafeCleaning/HazardsReport.pdf }}</ref>
This compound is on California's list of toxic air contaminants,<ref name="CALOSHA">{{cite web | url = http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/339.html | title = California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 339. The Hazardous Substances List | accessdate= 2008-04-21 | publisher = State of California Department of Labor Relations }}</ref> though it was removed from the [[U.S. EPA]]'s list of hazardous air pollutants in 1994.<ref>{{cite web | publisher = [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] | url = http://www.epa.gov/EPA-AIR/2004/November/Day-29/a26071.htm | date = 2004-11-29 | title = List of Hazardous Air Pollutants, Petition Process, Lesser Quantity Designations, Source Category List; Petition To Delist of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether}}</ref>
In recent years 2-butoxyethanol has come under increased scrutiny in Canada, and Environment and Health Canada has recommended that it be added to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).<ref>{{cite web | title = Current Use Patterns in Canada, Toxicology Profiles of Alternatives, and the Feasibility of Performing an Exposure Assessment Survey | publisher = Environment Canada | url = http://www.ec.gc.ca/toxics/docs/2be-2me/EN/profiles.cfm }}</ref>
==Environmental impact==
2-Butoxyethanol usually decomposes in the environment within a few days and has not been identified as a major environmental contaminant. It is not known to build up in any [[plant]] or [[animal]] species.{{Fact|date=November 2007}}
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/dtasht/_icsc00/icsc0059.htm International Chemical Safety Card 0059]
*[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0070.html NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards]
* [http://www.inchem.org/documents/sids/sids/111762.pdf Inchem SIDS dossier]
* [http://www.eastman.com/Product_Information/ProductHome.asp?Product=71000130 Eastman EB solvent info]
*[http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts118.html ToxFAQs™ for 2-Butoxyethanol and 2-Butoxyethanol Acetate] from the [[Centers for Disease Control]]
*[http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp118.html Toxicological Profile for 2-Butoxyethanol and 2-Butoxyethanol Acetate], from the CDC
{{DEFAULTSORT:Butoxyethanol, 2-}}
[[Category:Glycol ethers]]
[[Category:Alcohols]]
[[Category:Household chemicals]]
[[Category:Cleaning products]]