2-Methoxyethanol

Last updated
2-Methoxyethanol
2-methoxyethanol-Line-Structure.svg
2-methoxyethanol-3D-balls.png
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
2-Methoxyethan-1-ol
Other names
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether
EGME
Methyl Cellosolve
2-MOE
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
1731074
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.003.377 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
EC Number
  • 203-713-7
81877
KEGG
PubChem CID
RTECS number
  • KL5775000
UNII
UN number 1188
  • InChI=1S/C3H8O2/c1-5-3-2-4/h4H,2-3H2,1H3 Yes check.svgY
    Key: XNWFRZJHXBZDAG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Yes check.svgY
  • InChI=1/C3H8O2/c1-5-3-2-4/h4H,2-3H2,1H3
    Key: XNWFRZJHXBZDAG-UHFFFAOYAC
  • OCCOC
Properties
C 3 H 8 O 2
Molar mass 76.09 g/mol
AppearanceColorless liquid
Odor Ether-like [1]
Density 0.965 g/cm3
Melting point −85 °C (−121 °F; 188 K)
Boiling point 124 to 125 °C (255 to 257 °F; 397 to 398 K)
miscible [1]
Vapor pressure 6 mmHg (20°C) [1]
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS-pictogram-flamme.svg GHS-pictogram-exclam.svg GHS-pictogram-silhouette.svg
Danger
H226, H302, H312, H332, H360
P201, P202, P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P281, P301+P312, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P312, P304+P340, P308+P313, P312, P322, P330, P363, P370+P378, P403+P235, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704.svgHealth 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g. chlorine gasFlammability 2: Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperature before ignition can occur. Flash point between 38 and 93 °C (100 and 200 °F). E.g. diesel fuelInstability 2: Undergoes violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures, reacts violently with water, or may form explosive mixtures with water. E.g. white phosphorusSpecial hazards (white): no code
3
2
2
Flash point 39 °C (102 °F; 312 K)
Explosive limits 1.8%-14% [1]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
2370 mg/kg (rat, oral)
890 mg/kg (rabbit, oral)
1480 mg/kg (mouse, oral)
950 mg/kg (guinea pig, oral) [2]
1480 ppm (mouse, 7 hr) [2]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
TWA 25 ppm (80 mg/m3) [skin] [1]
REL (Recommended)
TWA 0.1 ppm (0.3 mg/m3) [skin] [1]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
200 ppm [1]
Safety data sheet (SDS) External MSDS
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Yes check.svgY  verify  (what is  Yes check.svgYX mark.svgN ?)

2-Methoxyethanol, or methyl cellosolve, is an organic compound with formula C
3H
8O
2 that is used mainly as a solvent. It is a clear, colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. It is in a class of solvents known as glycol ethers which are notable for their ability to dissolve a variety of different types of chemical compounds and for their miscibility with water and other solvents. It can be formed by the nucleophilic attack of methanol on protonated ethylene oxide followed by proton transfer:

C
2H
5O+
 + CH
3OH → C
3H
8O
2 + H+

2-Methoxyethanol is used as a solvent for many different purposes such as varnishes, dyes, and resins. It is also used as an additive in airplane deicing solutions. In organometallic chemistry it is commonly used for the synthesis of Vaska's complex and related compounds such as carbonylchlorohydridotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium (II). During these reactions the alcohol acts as a source of hydride and carbon monoxide.

2-Methoxyethanol is toxic to the bone marrow and testicles. Workers exposed to high levels are at risk for granulocytopenia, macrocytic anemia, oligospermia, and azoospermia. [3]

The methoxyethanol is converted by alcohol dehydrogenase into methoxyacetic acid which is the substance which causes the harmful effects. Both ethanol and acetate have a protecting effect. The methoxyacetate can enter the Krebs cycle where it forms methoxycitrate. [4]

Presence in interstellar space

In 2024, a group led by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported the discovery of 2-methoxyethanol in a star-forming region within the nebula NGC 6334. [5] The discovery was made by examining in the laboratory the spectral signature of 2-methoxyethanol as the molecule was made to rotate. This signature was then sought in observational data for the region collected by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, and 25 of its spectral lines were detected, constituting a secure identification of the molecule in the astronomical data.

Related Research Articles

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A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution. A solvent is usually a liquid but can also be a solid, a gas, or a supercritical fluid. Water is a solvent for polar molecules, and the most common solvent used by living things; all the ions and proteins in a cell are dissolved in water within the cell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Butanone</span> Chemical compound

Butanone, also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) or ethyl methyl ketone, is an organic compound with the formula CH3C(O)CH2CH3. This colorless liquid ketone has a sharp, sweet odor reminiscent of acetone. It is produced industrially on a large scale, but occurs in nature only in trace amounts. It is partially soluble in water, and is commonly used as an industrial solvent. It is an isomer of another solvent, tetrahydrofuran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tetrahydrofuran</span> Cyclic chemical compound, (CH₂)₄O

Tetrahydrofuran (THF), or oxolane, is an organic compound with the formula (CH2)4O. The compound is classified as heterocyclic compound, specifically a cyclic ether. It is a colorless, water-miscible organic liquid with low viscosity. It is mainly used as a precursor to polymers. Being polar and having a wide liquid range, THF is a versatile solvent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dichloromethane</span> Chemical compound

Dichloromethane is an organochlorine compound with the formula CH2Cl2. This colorless, volatile liquid with a chloroform-like, sweet odor is widely used as a solvent. Although it is not miscible with water, it is slightly polar, and miscible with many organic solvents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diazomethane</span> Simplest diazo compound and methylating agent

Diazomethane is an organic chemical compound with the formula CH2N2, discovered by German chemist Hans von Pechmann in 1894. It is the simplest diazo compound. In the pure form at room temperature, it is an extremely sensitive explosive yellow gas; thus, it is almost universally used as a solution in diethyl ether. The compound is a popular methylating agent in the laboratory, but it is too hazardous to be employed on an industrial scale without special precautions. Use of diazomethane has been significantly reduced by the introduction of the safer and equivalent reagent trimethylsilyldiazomethane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bromoform</span> Chemical compound

Bromoform is an organic compound with the chemical formula CHBr3. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature, with a high refractive index and a very high density. Its sweet odor is similar to that of chloroform. It is one of the four haloforms, the others being fluoroform, chloroform, and iodoform. It is a brominated organic solvent. Currently its main use is as a laboratory reagent. It is very slightly soluble in water and is miscible with alcohol, benzene, chloroform, ether, petroleum ether, acetone and oils.

Dimethylformamide is an organic compound with the chemical formula HCON(CH3)2. Its structure is HC(=O)−N(−CH3)2. Commonly abbreviated as DMF, this colourless liquid is miscible with water and the majority of organic liquids. DMF is a common solvent for chemical reactions. Dimethylformamide is odorless, but technical-grade or degraded samples often have a fishy smell due to impurity of dimethylamine. Dimethylamine degradation impurities can be removed by sparging samples with an inert gas such as argon or by sonicating the samples under reduced pressure. As its name indicates, it is structurally related to formamide, having two methyl groups in the place of the two hydrogens. DMF is a polar (hydrophilic) aprotic solvent with a high boiling point. It facilitates reactions that follow polar mechanisms, such as SN2 reactions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diisopropyl ether</span> Chemical compound

Diisopropyl ether is a secondary ether that is used as a solvent. It is a colorless liquid that is slightly soluble in water, but miscible with organic solvents. It is used as an extractant and an oxygenate gasoline additive. It is obtained industrially as a byproduct in the production of isopropanol by hydration of propylene. Diisopropyl ether is sometimes represented by the abbreviation DIPE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-Butanol</span> Secondary alcohol

Butan-2-ol, or sec-butanol, is an organic compound with formula CH3CH(OH)CH2CH3. Its structural isomers are 1-butanol, isobutanol, and tert-butanol. 2-Butanol is chiral and thus can be obtained as either of two stereoisomers designated as (R)-(−)-butan-2-ol and (S)-(+)-butan-2-ol. It is normally encountered as a 1:1 mixture of the two stereoisomers — a racemic mixture.

<i>tert</i>-Butyl alcohol Chemical compound

tert-Butyl alcohol is the simplest tertiary alcohol, with a formula of (CH3)3COH (sometimes represented as t-BuOH). Its isomers are 1-butanol, isobutanol, and butan-2-ol. tert-Butyl alcohol is a colorless solid, which melts near room temperature and has a camphor-like odor. It is miscible with water, ethanol and diethyl ether.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methyl isobutyl ketone</span> Chemical compound

Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK, 4-methylpentan-2-one) is an organic compound with the condensed chemical formula (CH3)2CHCH2C(O)CH3. This ketone is a colourless liquid that is used as a solvent for gums, resins, paints, varnishes, lacquers, and nitrocellulose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesityl oxide</span> Chemical compound

Mesityl oxide is a α,β-unsaturated ketone with the formula CH3C(O)CH=C(CH3)2. This compound is a colorless, volatile liquid with a honey-like odor.

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Isobutanol (IUPAC nomenclature: 2-methylpropan-1-ol) is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)2CHCH2OH (sometimes represented as i-BuOH). This colorless, flammable liquid with a characteristic smell is mainly used as a solvent either directly or as its esters. Its isomers are 1-butanol, 2-butanol, and tert-butanol, all of which are important industrially.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allyl alcohol</span> Organic compound (CH2=CHCH2OH)

Allyl alcohol is an organic compound with the structural formula CH2=CHCH2OH. Like many alcohols, it is a water-soluble, colourless liquid. It is more toxic than typical small alcohols. Allyl alcohol is used as a precursor to many specialized compounds such as flame-resistant materials, drying oils, and plasticizers. Allyl alcohol is the smallest representative of the allylic alcohols.

Glycol ethers are a class of chemical compounds consisting of alkyl ethers that are based on glycols such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. They are commonly used as solvents in paints and cleaners. They have good solvent properties while having higher boiling points than the lower-molecular-weight ethers and alcohols.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimethoxymethane</span> Chemical compound

Dimethoxymethane, also called methylal, is a colorless flammable liquid with a low boiling point, low viscosity and excellent dissolving power. It has a chloroform-like odor and a pungent taste. It is the dimethyl acetal of formaldehyde. Dimethoxymethane is soluble in three parts water and miscible with most common organic solvents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-Ethoxyethanol</span> Chemical compound

2-Ethoxyethanol, also known by the trademark Ethyl cellosolve, is a solvent used widely in commercial and industrial applications. It is a clear, colorless, nearly odorless liquid that is miscible with water, ethanol, diethyl ether, acetone, and ethyl acetate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nitroethane</span> Chemical compound

Nitroethane is an organic compound having the chemical formula C2H5NO2. Similar in many regards to nitromethane, nitroethane is an oily liquid at standard temperature and pressure. Pure nitroethane is colorless and has a fruity odor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glycidol</span> Chemical compound

Glycidol is an organic compound that contains both epoxide and alcohol functional groups. Being bifunctional, it has a variety of industrial uses. The compound is a slightly viscous liquid that is slightly unstable and is not often encountered in pure form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloromethyl methyl ether</span> Chemical compound

Chloromethyl methyl ether (CMME) is a compound with formula CH3OCH2Cl. A colorless liquid, it is a chloroalkyl ether. It is used as an alkylating agent. In organic synthesis, it is used for introducing the methoxymethyl ether (MOM) protecting group, and is thus often called MOM-Cl or MOM chloride. It also finds application as a chloromethylating agent in some variants of the Blanc chloromethylation.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0401". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  2. 1 2 "Methyl cellosolve". Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  3. ↑ "Occupational exposure guidelines". Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  4. ↑ F. Welsch, Toxicology Letters, 2005, volume 156, pages 13-28
  5. ↑ Fried, Z.T.P.; et al. (20 April 2024). "Rotational Spectrum and First Interstellar Detection of 2-methoxyethanol Using ALMA Observations of NGC 6334I". The Astrophyical Journal Letters. 965 (2): L23. arXiv: 2403.17341 . Bibcode:2024ApJ...965L..23F. doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad37ff . ISSN   2041-8213.
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