Glycol ethers are a class of chemical compounds consisting of alkylethers 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.
Glycol ethers are designated E-series or P-series for those made from ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, respectively. Typically, E-series glycol ethers are found in pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, cosmetics, inks, dyes and water-based paints, while P-series glycol ethers are used in degreasers, cleaners, aerosol paints and adhesives. Both E- and P-series glycol ethers can be used as intermediates that undergo further chemical reactions, producing glycol diethers and glycol ether acetates.[citation needed] P-series glycol ethers are marketed as having lower toxicity than the E-series.
Most glycol ethers are water-soluble, biodegradable and only a few are considered toxic.[citation needed]
In the early 1990s, studies found a higher than expected rates of human reproductive health issues in both males and females, such as elevated risk of miscarriages among women who worked in semiconductor plants[4] as well as male gonadal changes such as testicular atrophy and sperm morphology changes,[5] which was traced back to glycol ethers; in particular: ethylene glycol ethers[6][which?] used in the photoresist substances that coat semiconductors.[7]
One study suggests that occupational exposure to glycol ethers is related to lowering the motility of the sperm and sperm count,[8] a finding disputed by the chemical industry.[9]
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (2-butoxyethanol, CH3CH2CH2CH2OCH2CH2OH), a widely used solvent in paintings and surface coatings, cleaning products and inks
C12-15 pareth-12 a polyethylene glycol ether used as an emulsifier in cosmetics
Dialkyl ethers
Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (dimethoxyethane, monoglyme, CH3OCH2CH2OCH3), a higher boiling alternative to diethyl ether and THF, also used as a solvent for polysaccharides, a reagent in organometallic chemistry and in some electrolytes of lithium batteries
↑Benninga, H. (1990). A history of lactic acid making: a chapter in the history of biotechnology. Dordrecht [Netherlands]: Kluwer Academic Publishers. p.251. ISBN0-7923-0625-2. OCLC20852966.
↑Union Carbide later registered "Cellosolve" as a trademark for "ETHYL SILICATES FOR USE AS BINDERS IN INVESTMENT CASTINGS AND IN ZINC-RICH PRIMERS" (Reg. Number 1019768, September 9, 1975), but allowed it to expire.
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