Diethylene Glycol Monohexyl Ether

What Is Diethylene Glycol Monohexyl Ether (DEGHE / Hexyl Carbitol / 2-(2-Hexyloxyethoxy)ethanol)?

Diethylene Glycol Monohexyl Ether (DEGHE, CAS 112-59-4) - commercially known as Hexyl Carbitol - is produced by monoetherification of diethylene glycol with n-hexanol under catalytic conditions. Molecular formula C₁₀H₂₂O₃, MW 190.28 g/mol. DEGHE is the diethylene glycol backbone homolog of EGHE (CAS 112-25-4) - same n-hexyl end-group, but with an additional ethyleneoxy unit that substantially raises the boiling point to ~259–261 °C, reduces vapor pressure to near-zero, raises flash point to ~127 °C (non-DG transport), and increases overall molecular weight. The result is a convergence of maximum solvency, maximum thermal stability, non-DG logistics, and comprehensive regulatory compliance unmatched by any other commercial E-series glycol ether.

DEGHE's KB value of ~105 is the highest of any commercial glycol ether in the E-series - arising from the long n-hexyl chain's maximum hydrophobic dissolving power combined with the diethylene glycol backbone's residual polarity enabling surfactant-stabilized coupling. Water solubility at 20 °C is below ~2% w/w (even less than EGHE's ~5%) - near-insolubility that shapes its application profile toward high-performance oil-phase solvent, amphiphilic metalworking fluid coupling agent, and extreme-solvency agrochemical co-solvent. Standard commercial purity ≥95.0%; ≥99.0% available for specialty applications.

Sinolook supplies companion product EGHE (CAS 112-25-4, Hexyl Cellosolve) - BP 208–215 °C, FP ~82–85 °C (combustible), KB ~90 - and EGBE (CAS 111-76-2) for the full E-series hexyl glycol ether portfolio. Combined quotations available. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified.

🧪 Highest KB Solvency (~105) - Ultimate Non-Polar Dissolving Power

DEGHE's Kauri-Butanol value of ~105 is the highest recorded for any commercial glycol ether solvent - substantially exceeding EGHE (~90), EGBE (~70), DEGBE (~55), and TEGBE. This extreme solvency arises from the unique molecular architecture: the long n-hexyl chain provides maximum hydrophobic dissolving power for non-polar materials, while the diethylene glycol backbone maintains sufficient polarity for surfactant-stabilized water compatibility. In practice, DEGHE dissolves non-polar industrial soils that no other glycol ether solvent can address effectively at comparable concentrations: bituminous coatings, cured rubber residues, high-MW polymerized oil deposits, silicone-based thread sealants and greases, cured epoxy coating fragments, synthetic lubricant breakdown products from thermal stress, and carbon-based fouling in industrial heat exchangers. For industrial cleaning formulations, this translates to either more effective soil removal at the same solvent concentration, or equivalent cleaning performance at significantly lower solvent loading - directly reducing formulation cost and total organic content. In coating formulations, KB ~105 improves adhesion primer penetration into surface rust and mill scale on imperfectly prepared steel substrates, extending coating longevity in demanding anti-corrosion applications.

🚢 Non-DG Transport (FP ~127 °C) - Maximum Logistics Simplicity

DEGHE's flash point of ~127 °C is the highest in the commercial E-series hexyl glycol ether family - placing it outside dangerous goods classification under IMDG (sea), IATA (air), and ADR (road). Concrete logistics advantages: no DG freight surcharges (typically 15–30% of shipping cost for DG solvents); no UN number hazard placarding on drums, IBCs, or containers; no DG declaration documentation in export paperwork; no special packaging certification requirements; access to freight options (including certain air freight categories) unavailable to EGHE (combustible liquid) and EGBE (Class 3 Flammable, UN 2369). For specialty cleaning product, coating, and metalworking fluid manufacturers with multi-country supply chains, DEGHE's non-DG status significantly reduces total landed cost and eliminates documentation complexity across all freight modes. No explosion-proof electrical equipment required in storage or handling areas; no NFPA 30 or OSHA 1910.106 flammable liquid storage classification - the most favorable storage safety profile of any solvent in the E-series hexyl glycol ether family. Combined with non-HAP status, DEGHE provides dual compliance simplification: non-DG inbound freight AND non-HAP facility air permit.

🇺🇸 Not US HAP Listed - Non-HAP Maximum-Solvency EGBE Upgrade

DEGHE is confirmed not listed as a US EPA Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) under Clean Air Act Section 112(b) - confirmed via EPA CompTox Dashboard (DTXSID5027093). Unlike EGBE (HAP listed), DEGHE carries no US air emission monitoring, MACT standard, or NESHAPs reporting obligations for US manufacturing facilities. The combination of non-HAP status AND highest KB solvency (~105) creates the strongest dual regulatory-and-performance advantage available in the E-series hexyl glycol ether family: US cleaning product, industrial coating, and specialty chemical manufacturers can simultaneously eliminate EGBE's HAP compliance burden AND upgrade to a solvent with 50% higher KB solvency - achieving superior cleaning or coating performance at lower active ingredient loading while removing air permit complexity. Sinolook provides formal non-HAP confirmation letters for EPA air permit applications, Title V facility compliance records, and government procurement requirements. Not Prop 65 listed; TSCA confirmation available.

🇪🇺 Potential VOC Exempt (EU) + Non-Repr.1B - Cleanest EU Regulatory Profile

DEGHE is not classified Repr. 1B/2 under EU CLP - no CMR designation, no REACH Annex XVII consumer restriction, not SVHC listed; REACH registered (EC 203-986-3); eligible as co-formulant in EU-authorized plant protection products under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. Potential VOC exemption under EU Paints Directive 2004/42/EC: the Directive defines VOC as compounds with initial boiling point ≤250 °C; DEGHE's boiling point of ~259–261 °C exceeds this threshold, potentially placing it entirely outside the regulated VOC definition in EU architectural coating contexts - enabling higher DEGHE loading in premium waterborne wood coatings and floor finishes without increasing the product's calculated VOC content. This potential VOC-exempt treatment is particularly decisive for formulations targeting EU Ecolabel, DGNB, or other sustainability certifications with strict VOC limits. Sinolook provides boiling point and vapor pressure data for EU VOC regulatory assessment submissions. Also relevant under SCAQMD Rule 102 (California) for near-zero vapor pressure compounds - verify per jurisdiction.

🌡️ Thermal Stability at 80–120 °C - Hot-Tank Cleaning & Stoving Coatings

DEGHE's boiling point of ~259–261 °C ensures it remains fully in the liquid phase throughout hot-tank immersion cleaning cycles at 80–120 °C - the most demanding temperature range for industrial metal cleaning - with no flash-off risk and full solvency maintenance throughout the cleaning cycle. At these temperatures, DEGHE's KB ~105 solvency is fully mobilized against the most tenacious soils (heavy bituminous deposits, polymerized hydrocarbon residues, cured polymeric fouling) that cooler or lower-boiling solvents cannot dissolve effectively. Flash point ~127 °C means DEGHE remains well above its flash point even at 120 °C cleaning bath temperatures - no flammability hazard at normal industrial cleaning operating temperatures. In stoving enamels and high-solids industrial coatings requiring slow-flow promoters that remain active at peak metal temperatures up to 200–220 °C, DEGHE's thermal stability and extreme solvency for alkyd and polyurethane resin systems delivers superior flow and leveling through the full stoving cycle.

💥 Near-Zero Vapor Pressure + ≥95.0% Purity + EGHE Companion

DEGHE's vapor pressure at 25 °C is near-zero - the lowest of any E-series hexyl glycol ether - providing minimal inhalation exposure at ambient temperature (standard workplace ventilation sufficient; no respiratory protection required under normal handling), no evaporative loss during storage and blending (100% of dosed DEGHE remains active), and maximum press-side open time in printing inks (near-zero evaporation on gravure cylinders and anilox rolls at 400–600 m/min; prevents tone value fluctuation in fine-cell 300+ dpi halftone reproduction on food packaging printing lines). Standard commercial purity ≥95.0% is the accepted industry grade; ≥99.0% available for pharmaceutical excipient qualification, analytical reference, premium personal care, and specialty synthesis. Companion product EGHE (CAS 112-25-4) available from Sinolook - BP 208–215 °C, FP ~82–85 °C (combustible), KB ~90, partial water miscibility (~5%); combined EGHE + DEGHE quotation available for customers requiring both short-chain and long-chain hexyl glycol ether performance in the same supply chain.

Premium Waterborne Wood Coatings & High-Performance Architectural Finishes

DEGHE's ultra-high boiling point (~260 °C) and KB ~105 position it as the highest-performance coalescing agent in the commercial glycol ether portfolio for premium waterborne coating systems. In waterborne polyurethane dispersion (PUD) coatings for hardwood flooring and furniture - systems demanding excellent chemical resistance and flawless flow during application - DEGHE provides superior resin particle plasticization compared to all shorter-chain coalescing solvents, enabling complete coalescence in demanding high-Tg PUD systems on dense, extractive-rich substrates (teak, merbau, bamboo). Potential VOC-exempt treatment under EU Paints Directive (BP ~260 °C >250 °C threshold) enables higher loading without increasing calculated VOC - decisive for EU Ecolabel, DGNB, and sustainability certification targets. In anti-corrosion coatings for steel structures and offshore installations, DEGHE's extreme solvency enhances adhesion primer penetration into surface rust and mill scale, improving adhesion strength and coating longevity even under imperfect surface preparation conditions. In stoving enamels: thermal stability throughout the full baking cycle at peak metal temperatures 200–220 °C produces consistently smooth, high-gloss film surfaces.

Industrial Cleaning - Maximum-KB Non-DG Degreasing & Hot-Tank 80–120 °C

KB ~105 makes DEGHE the most powerful degreasing solvent in the commercial glycol ether family - dissolving industrial soils that EGHE, EGBE, and DEGBE cannot address at comparable concentrations: heavy bituminous deposits, polymerized hydrocarbon residues from thermal cracking, cured epoxy coating fragments, silicone-based thread sealants, high-MW synthetic lubricant breakdown products. In industrial maintenance cleaning for refinery equipment, heavy industrial machinery, marine engines, and power generation assets, DEGHE delivers cleaning performance achievable at lower active ingredient loading - reducing product cost and total organic solvent content. In hot-tank immersion cleaning at 80–120 °C: boiling point ~260 °C ensures DEGHE remains fully liquid throughout the cleaning cycle with no flash-off risk; flash point ~127 °C means no flammability hazard at normal hot-tank operating temperatures - even at 120 °C. Non-DG transport eliminates DG surcharges and documentation for globally distributed cleaning product supply chains. Non-HAP eliminates EGBE-attributable air emission compliance for US manufacturing facilities.

Metalworking Fluids - Premium Oil-Phase Coupling Agent

DEGHE builds on EGHE's metalworking fluid capabilities with higher boiling point, lower vapor pressure, and even stronger oil-phase affinity from the combined hydrophobic contribution of the hexyl chain and diethylene glycol backbone's reduced polarity. Preferred for premium synthetic and semi-synthetic metalworking fluid concentrates requiring maximum emulsion stability across wide dilution ratio ranges and extended fluid service life under high-temperature cutting or grinding conditions. In high-speed aluminum alloy machining for aerospace structural components: strong oil-phase character and very limited water miscibility (<2%) provide superior protection against white-rust (aluminum oxide/hydroxide) formation on freshly machined aluminum surfaces vs. fully water-miscible glycol ethers. Extreme solvency for cutting oil ester and fatty acid components improves dispersion stability in the aqueous fluid phase, reducing concentrate replenishment frequency and extending service life during extended production campaigns. Near-zero vapor pressure eliminates evaporative loss during concentrate storage and blending.

High-Speed Printing Inks - Extreme Open-Time at 400–600 m/min

DEGHE's near-zero vapor pressure at ambient and on-press operating temperatures (30–50 °C at the ink duct) provides an extreme open-time retarding action unmatched by any other commercial glycol ether. On gravure printing lines running at 400–600 m/min with fine-cell cylinders (below 30 μm cell depth) used for 300+ dpi halftone reproduction in food packaging printing, ink drying on the cylinder surface between ink duct and print nip is the primary cause of tone value fluctuation and color inconsistency. DEGHE's near-zero vapor pressure provides essentially no driving force for ink drying on the cylinder surface even at high press speeds - maintaining consistent ink rheology and transfer throughout long production runs without press stops for cylinder cleaning. This productivity benefit in high-value flexible packaging printing represents a compelling economic case for DEGHE's use at low concentrations as a retarder complement to faster-evaporating ink solvents. Non-DG transport simplifies DEGHE procurement for ink manufacturers with multi-country production sites.

Agrochemicals, Adhesives & Sealants - Extreme LogP & Max Open Time

In agrochemical formulation, DEGHE's KB ~105 and near-zero water miscibility make it uniquely capable for active ingredients with extreme lipophilicity (log P >6) - the newest generation of fungicide and insecticide AIs that approach or exceed the practical solvency limits of conventional EC co-solvent systems based on EGBE, DEGBE, or PGBE. DEGHE's extreme non-polar solvency enables complete dissolution of these challenging molecules at commercially viable EC formulation concentrations. Residual surface-active behavior in the presence of agricultural emulsifiers supports adequate spray emulsion formation upon dilution. Not CMR; eligible co-formulant under EU Regulation 1107/2009; combined non-CMR (EU) + non-HAP (US) for dual-market registrations. In water-based adhesives and construction sealants requiring maximum open assembly time: ultra-slow evaporation maintains adhesive in a workable, tackified state for the longest possible part positioning window (automotive interior assembly, façade glazing panel alignment, engineered wood flooring installation) - and non-DG classification simplifies logistics in global construction supply chains.

Premium Personal Care - Next-Gen UV Filters & Intensive Hair Treatments

Long hexyl chain and diethylene glycol backbone combine to create an exceptionally effective emollient solvent with strong affinity for lipophilic cosmetic actives and high-MW UV filter compounds. In sunscreen formulations using next-generation organic UV filters - high-MW oil-soluble UVA filters such as Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, and bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine - DEGHE's extreme solvency enables complete dissolution and stable dispersion in low-oil-content emulsions that are difficult to formulate with conventional cosmetic esters and oils alone. In intensive hair care (bond-repair treatments, protein-enriched hair masks, premium leave-in conditioning systems): substantive, deeply penetrating emollient effect depositing a conditioning film at the hair cortex level while solubilizing silicone conditioning compounds and fragrance components; very limited water miscibility stabilized by emulsifier systems contributes to wash-resistance and conditioning durability. High-purity ≥99.0% available from Sinolook for pharmaceutical excipient qualification and premium personal care formulations requiring tighter compositional control.

📦 MOQ & Grades

MOQ 1 MT standard ≥95.0%. High-purity ≥99.0% on request. Samples 0.5–5 kg refundable. 200 kg standard drums.

🚢 Non-DG Delivery

EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP, DDP. Ex-Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Ningbo. Non-DG - no surcharges, no DG paperwork.

⏱ Lead Time

Quote within 24 hours. Production: 10–15 days. Expedited available. Shelf life 24 months.

🔍 Inspection

SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas at buyer's cost. Notify at order placement. Pre-shipment COA for all orders.