General Description
Colorless to straw-colored liquid with a mild odor. Sinks and mixes with water.
Reactivity Profile
TETRAETHYLENE GLYCOL(112-60-7) is a ether-alcohol derivative. The ether being relatively unreactive. Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination of alcohols with alkali metals, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. They react with oxoacids and carboxylic acids to form esters plus water. Oxidizing agents convert alcohols to aldehydes or ketones. Alcohols exhibit both weak acid and weak base behavior. They may initiate the polymerization of isocyanates and epoxides. May attack some forms of plastics [USCG, 1999].
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Health Hazard
Compound is nonirritating. No symptoms observed by any exposure route.
Description
Tetraethylene glycol is a polymer consisting of ethylene glycol monomer units and two terminal hydroxyl groups. The hydroxyl groups can react to further derivatize the compound. Ethylene glycol compounds have hydrophilic characteristics. The solubility of the polymer increases as the number of ethylene glycol groups increase.
Chemical Properties
Tetraethylene glycol is a high-boiling, clear liquid of low volatility. hygroscopic. It is completely miscible with water and a wide variety of organic solvents. insoluble in benzene, toluene, or gasoline. Combustible. For certain aliphatic hydrocarbons, it has a very slight affinity. Tetraethylene glycol is used as a coupling agent for blending water-soluble and water-insoluble compounds in such formulations as lubricants, glues, cork and textile products, etc.
Definition
ChEBI: Tetraethylene glycol is a poly(ethylene glycol).
Production Methods
Tetraethylene glycol is prepared commercially by adding
ethylene oxide to ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, or water
in the presence of a suitable catalyst.
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
