Ethylene carbonate

Ethylene carbonate (CAS 96-49-1), also sold as glycol carbonate and abbreviated EC, is a cyclic carbonate ester used as a high-polarity solvent and carrier in pharmaceutical and personal care manufacturing.

Where is Ethylene carbonate used?

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing: solvent
• Co-solvent for active pharmaceutical ingredients where low toxicity and controlled solvation are priorities
• Personal care: carrier in skin-conditioning products to aid delivery
• Improves spreadability in creams and lotions
• Processing solvent in polymer synthesis and resin formulations
• Preservation systems: carrier medium that improves distribution and efficacy of antimicrobial actives
• It dissolves film-forming agents and a broad range of active ingredients and polymers.

Good to know: High-purity grades meet USP or equivalent specifications; technical-grade material is for industrial and polymer processing where high purity is not required.

Commercial specifications

• High-purity grades meet USP or equivalent specifications
• Technical grade for industrial and polymer processing where high purity is not required
• Typically supplied in bags or drums