Substance profile
2-ethoxyethanol
2-ethoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant, ether-like odor.
01 · Identification
What 2-ethoxyethanol is
2-ethoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a sweet, pleasant, ether-like odor. Its molecular formula is C4H10O2 and its molecular weight is 90.12 g/mol. It boils at 136 °C, melts at -70 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as teratogens.
02 · Identifiers
2-ethoxyethanol identifiers and molecular data
2-ethoxyethanol CAS number and EC number
2-ethoxyethanol molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for 2-ethoxyethanol
- ethylene glycol monoethyl ether
03 · GHS classification
2-ethoxyethanol hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
2-ethoxyethanol pictograms and signal word
2-ethoxyethanol hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flammable liquids GHS chapter 2.6 | Category 3 | H226 | GHS02 |
| Acute toxicity - oral GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 4 | H302 | GHS07 |
| Acute toxicity - inhalation GHS chapter 3.1 | Category 3 | H331 | GHS06 |
2-ethoxyethanol hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H360FD | May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to 2-ethoxyethanol. The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for 2-ethoxyethanol
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of 2-ethoxyethanol issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
2-ethoxyethanol precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 13 precautionary statements to 2-ethoxyethanol. They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
2-ethoxyethanol name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | 2-етоксиетанол моноетилов етер на етиленгликола |
| Spanish español | 2-Etoxietanol éter monoetílico de etilenglicol |
| Czech čeština | 2-ethoxyethan-1-ol ethylglykol |
| Danish dansk | 2-ethoxyethanol ethylglycol |
| German Deutsch | 2-Ethoxyethanol EthylglycolEthylenglykol-monoethylether |
| Estonian eesti | 2-etoksüetanool etüleenglükooli monoetüüleeter |
| Greek ελληνικά | 2-αιθοξυαιθανόλη μονοαιθυλαιθέρας της αιθυλενογλυκόλης |
| English English | 2-ethoxyethanol ethylene glycol monoethyl ether |
| French français | 2-éthoxyéthanol éther monoéthylique d'éthylène glycol |
| Croatian hrvatski | 2-etoksietanol etilen-glikol-monoetil-eter |
| Italian italiano | 2-etossietanolo etilenglicol-monoetiletere etilglicol |
| Latvian latviešu | 2-etoksietanols etiletilēnglikola monoetilēteris |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | 2-etoksietanolis etilenglikolio monoetileteris |
| Hungarian magyar | 2-etoxi-etanol etilén-glikol-monoetil-éter |
| Maltese Malti | 2-etossietanol eter tal-monoetil tal-glikol tal-etilen |
| Dutch Nederlands | 2-ethoxyethanol ethyleenglycolmonoëthylether |
| Polish polski | 2-etoksyetanol eter monoetylowy glikolu etylenowegocellosolw etylowy |
| Portuguese português | 2-etoxietanol éter monoetílico de etilenoglicol |
| Romanian română | 2-etoxietanol eter monoetilic al etilenglicolului |
| Slovak slovenčina | 2-etoxyetanol etylénglykol-monoetyléter |
| Slovenian slovenščina | 2-etoksietanol etilen glikol monoetil eter |
| Finnish suomi | 2-etoksietanoli etyleeniglykolimonoetyylieetteri |
| Swedish svenska | 2-etoxietanol etylenglykolmonoetyleter |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
2-ethoxyethanol GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for 2-ethoxyethanol, laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
2-ethoxyethanol
- Flammable liquid and vapour.
- May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.
- Toxic if inhaled.
- Harmful if swallowed.
- Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- Keep container tightly closed.
- Use explosion-proof [electrical/ventilating/lighting/…] equipment.
- Use only non-sparking tools.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- IF SWALLOWED:
- IF INHALED:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Call a POISON CENTER/doctor/… if you feel unwell.
- Rinse mouth.
- Store in a well-ventilated place.
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open 2-ethoxyethanol in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
2-ethoxyethanol health hazards and exposure limits
2-ethoxyethanol hazard summary
Changes in the lungs, kidneys, liver, and spleen are seen in mice after 7-hour lethal concentration studies. For ethylene glycol ethers, there is limited positive evidence of spontaneous abortions and decreased sperm counts in humans and strong positive evidence of birth defects and testicular damage in animals. [ATSDR Case Studies # 29] Labeled as May impair fertility and May cause harm to the unborn child by EU regulations; [Glycol Ethers Online] See Glycol ethers.
Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
2-ethoxyethanol occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | 200.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| PEL | 200 ppm (740 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| PEL | TWA 200 ppm (740 mg/m3) [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 0.5 ppm (18 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 0.5 ppm (1.8 mg/m3) [skin] | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | 500 ppm (NIOSH, 2024) | CAMEO Chemicals |
| IDLH | 500.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases |
| IDLH | 500 ppm | Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
2-ethoxyethanol properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
2-ethoxyethanol boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 135.7 °C (276.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| 135 °C (275 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 135 °C (275 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO |
2-ethoxyethanol melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | -70 °C (-94 °F) | HSDB | |
| -90 °C (-130 °F) | NIOSH |
2-ethoxyethanol density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.93 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 7.74 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.9253 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB |
2-ethoxyethanol solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Miscible with water | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in acetone, ethyl ether, ethanol | HSDB | ||
| Miscible with hydrocarbons | HSDB |
2-ethoxyethanol vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 4 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 3.8 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 5.31 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
2-ethoxyethanol flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 43.33 °C (110 °F) | HSDB | |
| 48.89 °C (120 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 94.44 °C (202 °F) | HSDB |
2-ethoxyethanol autoignition temperature
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autoignition temperature | 235 °C (455 °F) | HSDB |
2-ethoxyethanol lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 1.8 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| 1.7 % by volume | DOE PAC |
2-ethoxyethanol upper explosive limit (UEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 14 % by volume | CAMEO | |
| 15.6 % by volume | at 93 °C | HSDB |
2-ethoxyethanol vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 3.1 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
2-ethoxyethanol odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | ...Odor threshold of about 25 ppm and a strong odor at about 50 ppm. | HSDB | |
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.3 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
2-ethoxyethanol fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
2-ethoxyethanol fire potential
Flammable in the presence of a source of ignition when the temperature is above the flash point.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Odor
Human volunteers with some work experience in industrial environments reported that /odor/ levels of 125 ppm were noticeable and that the intolerable odor level was higher then 255 ppm. Thus the warning properties should not be relied up on to prevent prolonged daily exposures to a concentration of vapors that could cause adverse affects.
Source: HSDB
10 · Handling and storage
2-ethoxyethanol storage and handling
2-ethoxyethanol peroxide formation
B: Compounds that form peroxides on concentration (distillation/evaporation)
Source: Lab and Research Safety, University of Minnesota
2-ethoxyethanol safe storage
Fireproof. Separated from strong oxidants and food and feedstuffs. Keep in the dark. Cool.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
2-ethoxyethanol storage conditions
Conditions for safe storage: Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
2-ethoxyethanol incompatible materials
Polyacrylamide gels were dissolved in 30% peroxide solution and added to a scintillation mixture in 1:1 2-ethoxyethanol-toluene. After counting, the mixtures were bulked and evaporated intermittently with heat during a 4 week period, and the accumulated peroxidised residues eventually exploded violently. A subsequent comment indicated that peroxidised materials may not peroxide are themselves potentially explosive.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
2-ethoxyethanol reactivity
ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOETHYL ETHER may react with oxidizing materials, i.e. hydrogen peroxide, to form peroxides. It dissolves many oils, resins and waxes. (NTP, 1992)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check 2-ethoxyethanol in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
2-ethoxyethanol UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
2-ethoxyethanol under UN 1171 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOETHYL ETHER | 3 | F1 | III | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 3 is “Flammable liquids” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether | 3 | III | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 3 is “Flammable and combustible liquid” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
2-ethoxyethanol — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of 2-ethoxyethanol?
The CAS number of 2-ethoxyethanol is 110-80-5. Its EC number is 203-804-1.
What is the chemical formula of 2-ethoxyethanol?
The molecular formula of 2-ethoxyethanol is C4H10O2 and its molecular weight is 90.12 g/mol.
What does a 2-ethoxyethanol label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for 2-ethoxyethanol carries the pictograms Flame, Health hazard and Skull and crossbones and the signal word is Danger.
Is 2-ethoxyethanol flammable?
Yes. CLP Annex VI assigns 2-ethoxyethanol H226 — flammable liquid and vapour. The flash point reported for it is 43.33 °C (110 °F) (HSDB).
Is 2-ethoxyethanol a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for 2-ethoxyethanol. Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health.
What is the exposure limit for 2-ethoxyethanol?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for 2-ethoxyethanol is 200.0 [ppm] (Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of 2-ethoxyethanol?
The boiling point reported for 2-ethoxyethanol is 135.7 °C (276.3 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of 2-ethoxyethanol?
The melting point reported for 2-ethoxyethanol is -70 °C (-94 °F) (HSDB).
How should 2-ethoxyethanol be stored?
CLP Annex VI assigns 2-ethoxyethanol the storage statement P403. Conditions for safe storage: Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
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