The story of Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate winds back to the dawn of large-scale chemical manufacturing in the early twentieth century. Chemists needed safer, more efficient substitutes for harsh solvents used in paints and coatings. As society demanded better household goods, companies like DuPont and BASF expanded their portfolio to include ether acetates, seeking molecules with balanced volatility and solvency. Research teams in postwar Europe chased down new glycol ether derivatives for resilience in industrial applications. Across academic journals and patents, glycol ethers slowly claimed a niche, sidestepping the flammability and toxicity issues of previous generations of solvents. Factories soon recognized how the unique mixing and compatibility features of these acetates improved production, opening up new market spaces in electronics, printing, and specialty coatings.
Today, Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate – often called Cellosolve acetate or EGEEA – pops up in every corner of industrial chemistry. This clear, mildly aromatic liquid dissolves tough polymers, resins, and dyes without fuss. Manufacturers rely on its brush-friendly flow in paints, but also appreciate its stability in photoresist formulations for electronics. Product specs usually highlight a moderate evaporation rate, which reduces streaking or bubble formation on surfaces, and ensures the solvent doesn’t dry too fast during application. What stands out from a user’s perspective is just how quietly reliable EGEEA proves across cleanup routines and mixing batches – it simply works, sparing headaches found with more aggressive solvents.
Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate typically boils at about 156°C, (313°F) with a flash point close to 49°C (120°F). It’s miscible with most common organic solvents, and offers just enough water solubility to rinse out equipment without long soak times. On the molecular level, EGEEA carries both polar and non-polar character, so it easily breaks down oily or resinous deposits while still pairing nicely with waterborne systems. In day-to-day plant use, these physical features give process engineers a versatile tool for everything from degreasing engine parts to smoothing out inkjet print heads.
Chemical drums of EGEEA must display UN1179 and the relevant EU and NFPA hazard ratings. A quick scan of the technical data sheet usually shows an assay (purity) upward of 98%, alongside density of 0.97 g/cm³, and a refractive index near 1.408 at room temperature. Workers often look for specific warning symbols: flammable liquid, irritant, and moderate aquatic hazard. Regulations require the standardized GHS pictograms and lists of recommended personal protective gear. Realistically, a chemistry lab or manufacturing floor doesn’t cut corners here. Poor labeling leads to chemical confusion, accidents, and messy regulatory fines, so global suppliers work to stay consistent across every shipment.
Commercial EGEEA production usually follows a two-step approach: first, experts prepare ethylene glycol monoethyl ether via ethoxylation of ethanol; next, they esterify this intermediate with acetic acid using an acid catalyst. Large reactors control temperature and agitation to drive the yield above ninety percent. Once the reaction winds down, the mixture gets neutralized and then purified through fractional distillation – a tricky but essential step, since small contaminants can disrupt sensitive industrial uses. Chemical engineers continuously tweak catalyst choices, process pressure, and solvent handling to reduce waste and control byproducts, striving for cleaner output that meets modern environmental standards.
EGEEA reacts easily with strong acids or bases, splitting the acetate group and creating reactive alcohols. Chemists sometimes use it as a protective group or a transient solvent to support more complex organic reactions. In the coatings sector, it acts as a coalescing agent, nudging waterborne resins toward a smooth, unified finish. Crosslinking reactions in advanced adhesives also take advantage of its ability to dissolve high-molecular polymers without premature polymerization. A surprising number of laboratory protocols build EGEEA into experimental processes aimed at developing biocompatible plastics and unique surfactants, revealing just how much subtle chemical talent hides in this everyday solvent.
Depending on the supplier, you might find this solvent labeled as 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate, Glycol ether acetate EE, or even Cellosolve acetate. The Chemical Abstracts number, 111-15-9, removes any ambiguity for global buyers. Major brands package it under proprietary names or blend it into multi-component solvent solutions for paints, inks, and cleaners. For most users in industrial settings, the label suffix matters less than the performance – but for regulatory tracking and environmental reporting, detailed nomenclature helps avoid mix-ups and cross-contamination.
Handling EGEEA in a factory or laboratory means thinking about both health and safety rules every single day. The solvent irritates eyes, skin, and lungs, and repeated exposure links to headaches, fatigue, and potentially more serious systemic effects. Modern operational standards limit airborne concentrations to 25 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average, and require proper ventilation and personal protection: chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles, and sometimes full-face respirators. Spill kits, eyewash stations, and fire extinguishers sit within arm’s reach. Disposal practices follow environmental protection laws, since waterborne releases place stress on aquatic systems. Worker training programs and third-party audits keep supervisors and staff alert to emerging hazards, reducing the sort of accidents that mar the chemical industry’s safety record.
Paint manufacturers see EGEEA as a reliable backbone for fast-drying industrial enamels, automotive finishes, and architectural coatings. In the world of electronics, photoresist chemists value it for its non-reactive solvency, which helps etch circuit designs onto silicon wafers. Printers use it to thin inks and speed up drying without risking color shift or gelation. Leather and textile shops deploy it for dye penetration and stain resistance treatments. Cleaning contractors trust its grease-cutting ability in degreasing agents, while adhesives and sealants producers use it to achieve smooth, robust bonds. My experience consulting for a specialty adhesives company showed how switching from more volatile solvents to EGEEA not only improved worker safety but also boosted product consistency, reducing customer returns and cleanup costs.
Academic and industrial R&D teams keep probing for new roles and safer alternatives. Chemists investigate ways to tame volatility and toxicity by tweaking ethylene glycol ether derivatives, looking to balance environmental footprint with industrial performance. Some projects focus on bio-based routes for EGEEA analogs to cut fossil feedstock use. Materials scientists test blends with novel nanoparticles or high-solids polymer solutions, seeking energy savings or higher precision. Several environmental research groups track solvent residues and breakdown products in air and water, feeding their results back into regulatory and design cycles. The feedback loop between research labs and factory floors gets tighter every year, feeding new data-driven shifts in solvent formulation and usage.
Toxicologists and occupational health groups stayed busy with glycol ethers. Some early studies underestimated reproductive risks and organ toxicity, but a new generation of epidemiologists dug deeper, flagging developmental toxicity, especially for exposed workers in unventilated spaces. Animal studies linked long-term exposure to decreased fertility, birth defects, and mild liver and kidney dysfunction. Industry phased out several higher-risk glycol ethers, but the focus sharpened on real-world exposure patterns. Researchers now push for better biomonitoring, advocating strict workplace surveillance and air quality control. Environmental health experts watch for breakdown products in effluent streams, studying their persistence and toxicity in aquatic food webs. Stricter regulations spurred chemical makers to publish updated data, revise safety sheets, and adopt less hazardous replacement solvents wherever feasible.
Looking ahead, tighter safety rules and sustainability demands will nudge the solvent market toward greener, less hazardous alternatives. Bio-derived EGEEA analogs, lower-toxicity blends, or even enzyme-assisted production might draw more attention in the next decade. Coatings and electronics markets will keep demanding high-purity batches for their next-generation products, so supply chains get retooled to manage trace contaminants and lifecycle waste. Industry groups, faced with consumer and regulatory scrutiny, could invest more heavily in process recapture, solvent recycling, and worker training. Modern plant managers and lab directors alike face weekly calls from clients asking about cleaner certifications and lifecycle audits, pushing suppliers to blend legacy know-how with fresh thinking. Working through the shift means blending hard-won operational safety with new environmental stewardship, all without skipping a beat on product quality.
Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate—let’s call it EGEEA—does a lot more than its unwieldy name suggests. Under the surface of our daily routines, this solvent quietly supports dozens of industries without demanding much attention. My own experience in a small paint shop opened my eyes to how often we lean on chemicals like this. People rarely think about what’s behind their desk finishes or car surfaces, yet those smooth coatings depend on the right solvent mix.
Walk past a construction site and you’ll see painters armed with rollers and spray guns. EGEEA helps keep those coatings even and streak-free. It thins paint so it goes on smoothly, then evaporates at a measured pace so the surface has enough time to settle and cure. Fast-drying paint can ruin a finish, trapping marks and making the result lumpy. Anyone who’s tried painting a humid room with poor ventilation will appreciate the difference a good solvent makes.
Printing presses rely on EGEEA too, though you might not notice unless you watch a run of magazines or cardboard packaging. In ink, EGEEA keeps colors from gumming up machinery, so each page looks sharp.
Semiconductor fabrication doesn’t happen without a range of specialty solvents. EGEEA works as a precise cleaner for circuit boards and delicate microchips. If you’ve ever seen a teardown of a smartphone and wondered how those parts look so pristine, this solvent likely played a role. I’ve watched technicians clean boards before final assembly; they move fast and need consistency so those tiny channels inside the chips don’t stay clogged with dust.
Besides heavy industry, EGEEA pops up in products under our sinks. Some specialty cleaners use it to break down oily residues. Industrial workers spray it to remove stubborn greases, keeping machinery moving. At home, you probably won’t find a bottle labeled EGEEA, but it hides in formulations for industrial wipes and surface cleaners.
Nail polish removal, for example, leans on solvents like EGEEA to break up lacquer. While it’s less common than acetone, it’s favored for specific formulations that need a slower evaporation rate or a gentler touch on the skin.
Anyone working with EGEEA for long stretches learns to respect the safety sheets. Frequent exposure may cause headaches or skin problems. Factories lay down strict procedures for ventilation and protective gear. I’ve seen co-workers brush off those signs, only to complain later about dizziness or irritation. Education and clear labeling go a long way here, but enforcement needs attention, especially in lower-wage workshops where corners get cut.
Alternatives exist, but not all offer the same mix of evaporation rate and solvency. Some paint makers experiment with new “green” solvents, but most still reach for EGEEA when quality matters. Pushing for safer workplaces and better substitutes means investing in research, then making those solutions affordable for small businesses, not just giants. Otherwise, people keep risking health for productivity.
EGEEA gives us durable surfaces, clean electronics, and sharper prints. The convenience isn’t free, though, especially for workers. Better training, smarter substitutions, and pressure from buyers can nudge companies toward safer practices, without losing what EGEEA helps deliver. I’ve seen how much smoother a job goes with the right tools, but no coating or circuit board is worth trading your health away.
I’ve spent plenty of long days breathing in chemical tang in research labs. That sweet odor from Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate always carried an alert. Sick headaches, a pounding heart, a weird taste on your tongue—they’re sure signs you let your guard slip. Knowing this, I always suited up before popping a bottle: chemical goggles, nitrile gloves, a sturdy lab coat. Safety showers and eye wash stations have saved more than one project from becoming a disaster. There’s no heroism in skipping that gear to save five minutes.
Handling this solvent means squaring off against more than its smell. Spills can soak through regular gloves. Splash it and skin can start itching. Inhaling too much vapor builds up in your system, affecting your nerves, liver, kidneys, and for some, reproductive health. According to the CDC, even a single droplet in the eye can sting for hours, and prolonged contact can lead to chronic health trouble. I remember a grad student who developed a nasty rash—he figured a little spill was “no big deal” and wiped it up with a bare hand. His mistake meant a trip to the clinic and a very stern talk with the safety officer.
A decent chemical fume hood is not optional for this stuff. Many labs I’ve worked in tried to save floor space by keeping just one hood, which turned into a bottleneck and tempted people to mix or pour out in the open. Once, after someone ignored the rules, the whole hallway reeked for days. Opening a window or firing up a fan won’t cut it—the vapors are heavy and linger at the breathing level. The best air control systems protect everyone, not just the person holding the flask.
Containers need tight seals, clearly labeled, and kept away from any heat source. I’ve seen too many half-empty bottles left near radiators or by sunny windows. More than a fire risk, even a small leak fouls the air. Avoid using glassware that’s chipped or old. One cracked flask can shatter and spill more chemicals than anyone wants to deal with.
It’s common to see people treat safety training as a boring formality, but that attitude can land you in the ER. I draw from direct experience here. As a lab manager, I insisted on running surprise fire drills and spill simulations. People grumbled, but the first time someone actually dropped a beaker, they moved fast and knew exactly where the absorbents and eyewash stations were. Gloves and goggles became second nature, and no one looked for shortcuts.
Back at home, I check labels on paint thinners or cleaning fluids, and I don’t let my kids anywhere near the garage when those bottles come out. A single careless moment with a chemical like Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate at home can have worse consequences, because most people don’t keep a safety shower next to the mop bucket.
People get comfortable around familiar risks. That’s where trouble sneaks in. Keeping yourself healthy around chemicals isn’t about being fearful—it’s about routine, readiness, and the grit to follow the rules even on a busy day. The right gear, fresh training, and a good fume hood do more than protect the lab. They keep your mind at ease so you can actually focus on getting the science right.
Most days, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate goes by the short name EGEEA. It looks clear, it moves easily because it’s a low-viscosity liquid, and it comes with a smell—sweet but strong enough to make you pause before opening a can. That smell hints at its volatility, telling you it’s not shy about turning into a vapor at room temperature. I once worked in a paint shop where EGEEA stood as the backbone for mixing up specialty coatings. We always handled it with care, since its boiling point sits around 156°C, making it easier to evaporate than water but not so volatile that it disappears before anyone notices.
In terms of chemistry, this liquid mixes well with water, alcohols, and many organic solvents. Because EGEEA merges polar and non-polar traits, it can cut through a range of substances, picking up where plain water or most alcohols leave off. From what I’ve seen, this versatility means manufacturers lean on EGEEA for blending dyes, inks, or coatings. It won’t just sit still—it interacts, dissolves, and enables mixing jobs that stiffer solvents mess up.
The molecular structure contains an acetate group along with an ethylene glycol base, which makes it an ester. Esters generally bring a bit of reactivity, but EGEEA keeps things reasonably calm under normal temperatures and pressures. Decomposition kicks in only if it gets too hot or if strong acids show up. Fire is one real risk. Its flash point falls near 49°C, so storing it near open flames or high heat isn’t smart. In my own workshop days, keeping containers far from the welding area was standard policy for everyone’s peace of mind.
EGEEA finds its niche in places where quick evaporation and strong dissolving power matter. Printers and paint makers count on it for thinning and leveling. Artists who want crisp lines and manufacturers chasing glossy finishes both benefit. Its ability to break up tough substances makes tough jobs look easy. But this same property asks for careful airflow and fume management, especially in tight spaces. My early attempts at painting with EGEEA didn’t end well until exhaust fans ran constantly. Even a small spill can quickly fill a room with fumes that burn the nose and eyes.
EGEEA won’t explode at a touch, but it’s not gentle on people. Inhaling vapor can bring headaches, confusion, or worse if exposure lasts too long. Getting it on your skin may not hurt right away, but over time it dries things out and brings irritation. Wearing gloves and goggles never felt optional in my shop—a single splash would end an afternoon of comfort. Workers need reminders and good training, because rushing leads to contacts no one wants.
As more stories about chemical safety reach the news, businesses start searching for less aggressive solvents. Some turn to propylene glycol varieties, hoping to sidestep EGEEA’s harsher side without sacrificing performance. Still, old habits die slow, and so long as EGEEA keeps delivering results for difficult jobs, it won’t fade away overnight. The trick lies in better ventilation, smarter storage, and respect for what those physical and chemical traits can bring—both for industry and for everyone around.
Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate isn’t something most people keep on their garage shelves. Plant managers and lab techs recognize its power—and the mess it can make in the wrong place. You spill a little, you notice the sharp odor fast. Breathe it in for too long, people start feeling dizzy. That’s not even getting into what it can do to your skin. For years working around similar solvents, respect became habit. Storing this liquid takes more than finding an empty corner.
Piling bottles in a sunlit shed never worked out. Heat does no favors to chemicals, but here, exposure could lead to something worse. Warm temperatures speed up evaporation, which means vapors fill the air pretty quick. If you’ve had a headache in poorly ventilated storerooms, you know how fast conditions can sour. Old coworkers kept windows open year-round, kept doors unblocked. Storage cabinets dedicated for flammable liquids paid off more than once. Cool, dry air slows things down and takes stress off everyone using the space.
Once or twice I’d see folks stash leftovers in used water jugs or whatever food containers they’d scrounged up. Those never lasted long. Solvents like this one chew through weak plastics, so leaks and spills followed. Metal cans with tight seals worked better, but lined drums—those with special coatings inside—really lasted. Anyone handling this solvent pays attention to the container label, checking for cracks or loose tops. Even one small drip creates a bigger cleanup than most want to handle.
I remember a story from a paint shop—new guy stacked this solvent next to acids and some oxidizers without thinking twice. Someone noticed before a real mess started. Acids and oxidizers can touch off reactions that nobody wants in their workspace. All it takes is a tilt, a dented container, or an accidental knock-over. Safe setups sort chemicals by type. One side for bases, another for flammables. No exceptions, even for a quick rearrange.
Messy shelves come back to bite everyone. A forgotten jug or a faded label turns routine maintenance into detective work. Clear tags, records of how much comes in or goes out, and dates on everything keep the confusion down. Regular checks look for swelling in containers, discoloration, or odd smells—the small red flags before bigger trouble. One supervisor always carried a marker around, adding bold dates to any new container.
Some old hands scoffed at rules, called them overcomplicated. Working through mishaps, though, changes anyone’s mind. Nobody looks forward to cleanup crews in hazmat suits or a call from the fire department. More than once I saw rules protect someone’s lungs and save a business from expensive shutdowns. People taking the time to do storage right show they care about the folks working alongside them, not just the rules on paper.
You look at a chemical name like Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate and probably feel like chemistry class never ended. It sounds complicated, but the real shortcut for scientists and manufacturers is the CAS number. For Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate, that magic number is 111-15-9. This isn’t just a random code. It’s the key to cutting confusion in labs, on shipping crates, and inside regulatory paperwork worldwide.
On the ground, I’ve watched people in paint shops, chemical plants, and testing labs fumble through different countries’ names for the same liquid. Once the label says "111-15-9", everyone’s on the same page. The CAS Registry uses these numbers to pin down what’s actually in the drum or bottle. For folks trying to order the right solvent or track down safety data, it’s a lifesaver.
Years ago, I saw a small manufacturer in my town stuck with drums of something labeled only with a generic name. Nobody was certain if it matched the product spec demanded by a customer in Europe. The deal fell through, money lost, all due to confusion over what was actually inside. Slapping the CAS number on the drum might’ve made all the difference.
Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate pops up in all sorts of fields, from making inks and coatings to helping manufacture electronics. It’s good at dissolving tough substances, which makes it useful, but also a potential health hazard. Breathing in too much vapor or letting it touch the skin can cause problems ranging from headaches to reproductive risks. OSHA and local health agencies track these chemicals precisely with the CAS number, so anyone handling the stuff can look up safety rules straight away.
Some disasters are man-made, like spills or accidental mixing in factories. I once heard about a crew who nearly mixed two incompatible solvents—both had similar-sounding names in English. A veteran caught it by double-checking CAS numbers right in the storeroom. That comparison stopped a potentially explosive accident. Different countries, different regulations, but when you have the same number, you know what you’re dealing with.
It might sound basic, but education goes a long way. Teaching everyone—from lab techs up to the folks who fill out shipping forms—to look for and use CAS numbers lowers the odds of mistakes. Printing this number big and bold on every document, shipping label, and storage tag means less chance of a wrong turn.
Digital systems help, too. Chemical inventory software shaves time off searches and flags inconsistencies. These tools force workers to verify chemicals before they get to work with them. In my own experience, once a warehouse upgraded to a system that logged inventory by CAS, the mislabeling rate dropped almost overnight.
Big ideas in regulation also flow from these tiny numbers. Governments cross-check chemical imports at borders, and companies meet international safety standards because everyone refers to the same code. It bridges language barriers and makes sure the right solvent ends up in the right hands.
With tighter rules and more global trade, the CAS number for Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate—111-15-9—acts like a passport. It brings safety, clarity, and accountability to a world overflowing with lookalike bottles and complicated names. A small code on a label, but a big deal for anyone who works with chemicals.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate |
| Other names |
2-Ethoxyethyl acetate Ethyl cellosolve acetate Cellosolve acetate EGEEA Acetic acid 2-ethoxyethyl ester Glycol ether EA Ethanol, 2-ethoxy-, acetate |
| Pronunciation | /ˈeθ.ɪ.liːn ɡlaɪˈkɒl ˌmɒn.oʊˈɛθ.əl ˈiː.θər əˈsiː.teɪt/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 111-15-9 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `C(COCCOC(C)=O)O` |
| Beilstein Reference | Beilstein 1697556 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:81043 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL135108 |
| ChemSpider | 6190 |
| DrugBank | DB16658 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.008.049 |
| EC Number | 205-500-4 |
| Gmelin Reference | 8538 |
| KEGG | C19699 |
| MeSH | D005006 |
| PubChem CID | 8055 |
| RTECS number | KK8225000 |
| UNII | A1VOV43043 |
| UN number | UN1171 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID1020582 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C6H12O3 |
| Molar mass | 160.20 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless liquid |
| Odor | Mild ester-like odor |
| Density | 0.972 g/cm3 |
| Solubility in water | Slightly soluble |
| log P | 0.32 |
| Vapor pressure | 0.24 mmHg (20°C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 13.03 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 6.11 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -47.5×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.404 |
| Viscosity | 0.9 mPa·s (20°C) |
| Dipole moment | 4.68 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate: 374.24 J/mol·K |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -589.9 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -3215.4 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | D01AE23 |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS02,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P260, P280, P305+P351+P338, P337+P313 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-2-0- |
| Flash point | 49°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 185°C |
| Explosive limits | 1.16% - 10.6% |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 oral rat 2,483 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): 2,400 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| NIOSH | K1600 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL: 100 ppm (540 mg/m³) |
| REL (Recommended) | 25 ppm |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | 400 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate |
