Ethylene glycol
CAS 107-21-1
EC 203-473-3
Formula C2H6O2
MW 62.07 g/mol
Alcohols & Glycols Personal Care & CosmeticsPlastics & PolymersAutomotiveTextile, Leather & Paper Humectant & MoisturizingCross-linking & CuringSolvent & CarrierPreservation & Biocide
Description
Ethylene glycol (CAS 107-21-1, EC 203-473-3, formula C2H6O2) is a diol alcohol also known as ethanediol, glycol alcohol, and 1,2-ethanediol. It carries no E-code designation and is not approved as a food additive. It is commercially distributed under various trade names across industrial and specialty chemical markets.
In automotive antifreeze formulations, ethylene glycol depresses the freezing point of water through hydrogen-bond disruption, protecting cooling systems down to approximately minus 37 degrees Celsius at a 50/50 blend. In polymer production, it functions as a crosslinker by reacting with dicarboxylic acids to build polyester chains, most notably in PET resin manufacturing. Personal care formulators use it as a humectant and antimicrobial co-solvent at controlled concentrations.
Ethylene glycol is available in technical and industrial grades, supplied in bulk tankers, IBC containers, and drums. It is subject to REACH registration requirements within the EU. Buyers should confirm grade specifications and SDS documentation prior to procurement, as the substance is classified as harmful if swallowed under CLP regulations.
In automotive antifreeze formulations, ethylene glycol depresses the freezing point of water through hydrogen-bond disruption, protecting cooling systems down to approximately minus 37 degrees Celsius at a 50/50 blend. In polymer production, it functions as a crosslinker by reacting with dicarboxylic acids to build polyester chains, most notably in PET resin manufacturing. Personal care formulators use it as a humectant and antimicrobial co-solvent at controlled concentrations.
Ethylene glycol is available in technical and industrial grades, supplied in bulk tankers, IBC containers, and drums. It is subject to REACH registration requirements within the EU. Buyers should confirm grade specifications and SDS documentation prior to procurement, as the substance is classified as harmful if swallowed under CLP regulations.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | -13 °C |
| Boiling Point | 197.3 °C |
| Density | 1.1135 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C |
| Flash Point | 230 °F |
| Appearance | Ethylene glycol is a colorless, viscous, hydroscopic liquid with a sweetish taste. Often colored fluorescent yellow-green when used in automotive antifreeze. Ethylene glycol is odorless and does not provide any warning of inhalation exposure to hazardous concentrations. The Odor Threshold in air is 25 ppm. |
| Color | blue |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Form | Viscous Liquid |
| Water Solubility | miscible |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.08 mm Hg ( 20 °C) |
| Refractive Index | n 20/D 1.431(lit.) |
| pH | 6-7.5 (100g/l, H2O, 20℃) |
| Log P | -1.36 at 25℃ |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Warning GHS07 GHS08
H
H302H303H315H316H320H332H335H336H360H370H372H373
P
P203P260P261P264P270P271P280P317P318P319P321P330P405P501P264+P265P301+P317P302+P352P304+P340P308+P316P332+P317P337+P317P362+P364P403+P233P305+P351+P338
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29053100 |
| UN Number | 1219 |
| ADR Class | 3 |
| Packing Group | II |
| Storage Class | 10 - Combustible liquids |
| WGK (Germany) | 3 |
Other Names
ethane-1,2-diolglycolethanediol1,2-ethanediolMEGTescolGlycol alcohol
Related Products
Raw Materials
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