Ethylene glycol

Odor

Faint, musty odor. Warm and sweet taste in water.

Dihydric alcohol

Ethylene glycol is the simplest aliphatic dihydric alcohol with chemical properties of alcohols such as being capable of generating ether, ester, or being oxidized into acid or aldehyde as well as being condensed to form ether or being substituted by halogen. Its reaction with acyl chloride or acid anhydride generally forms di-esters. Under heating in the presence of catalyst (manganese dioxide, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide or sulfuric acid), it can be subject to intermolecular or intramolecular dehydration to form the cyclic ethylene acetals, which can react with nitric acid to generate glycol dinitrate (an explosive). Ethylene glycol is the raw material for production of polyester resins, alkyd resins and polyester fiber. It can also be used as the refrigerant agent for automobile and aircraft engines refrigerant. In 1980, the glycol amount used as refrigerant agent is equal to the amount consumption for producing polyester. In addition, it can also be used for synthesizing polymers such as polyester fibers. Ethylene glycol dinitrate, when used in combination with nitroglycerine can reduce the freezing point of explosives. Ethylene glycol can also be used as the raw material of pharmaceuticals and plastics and high-boiling solvents. Industry applied ethylene as a raw material with first converting it to ethylene oxide and then hydrolyzing to produce ethylene glycol.
This product is of fire and explosion hazards. It is irritating to skin and mucous membrane with inhalation of vapors or skin absorption producing a narcotic effect on the central nervous as well as causing kidney damage. Rat, through oral administration, has a LD50 of 8540 mg/kg. The maximal allowable concentration in the workplace is 5 × 10-6.
This information is edited by Xiongfeng Dai from Chemicalbook.

Poisoning and first aid

This product is of low toxicity. Rat LD50: 5.5ml/kg~8.54ml/kg. People who is subject to oral administration by once has a LD50 of 80g~100g. The plasma concentration of ethylene glycol is 2.4g/L and can cause acute renal failure. It can be absorbed through the digestive tract, respiratory tract and skin. It can be discharged from the kidney in the form of prototype or ethanedioic acid (oxalate) from through oxidation. Glycol, after being oxidized into carbon dioxide, can be discharged from the respiratory tract.
Although ethylene glycol has a high toxicity but its volatility is small. Therefore, it is unlikely that the inhalation of it during production can cause severe poisoning. Inhalation poisoning is manifested as blurred consciousness, nystagmus and urine containing protein, calcium oxalate crystals and red blood cells. Oral toxicity in clinical practice can be divided into three stages: the first stage is mainly the central nervous system symptoms, such as the performance of ethanol poisoning; the second phase of the main symptoms mainly include shortness of breath, cyanosis, and various manifestations of pulmonary edema or bronchopneumonia; at the third stage, there may be significant renal disease, low back pain, kidney area percussion pain, renal dysfunction, proteinuria, hematuria, urine containing calcium oxalate crystals, as well as oliguria, anuria and even acute renal failure.
Patients mistakenly take it should be subject to the treatment based on the general principles of first aid for oral poisoning and can be given 600 mL of 1/6 mol of sodium lactate solution and 10 mL of 10% calcium gluconate through intravenous infusion. Patients of severe poisoning can subject to treatment of artificial kidney dialysis.
Container of ethylene glycol should have "toxic agents" mark. The product, upon heating, should be sealed, vented to prevent inhalation of the vapor or aerosol. Avoid long-term direct skin contact with the product.

Chemical Properties

It is colorless transparent viscous liquid with sweet taste and moisture absorption capability. It is also miscible with water, low-grade aliphatic alcohols, glycerol, acetic acid, acetone, ketones, aldehydes, pyridine and similar coal tar bases. It is slightly soluble in ether but almost insoluble in benzene and its homologues, chlorinated hydrocarbons, petroleum ether and oils.

Uses

Glycol is mainly used as the antifreeze agent for preparation of the automobile cooling systems and the raw material for the production of polyethylene terephthalate (the raw material of polyester fibers and plastics material). It can also be used for the production of synthetic resins, solvents, lubricants, surfactants, emollients, moisturizers, explosives and so on. Glycol can often used as alternative of glycerol and can often be used as hydration agent and solvent in the tanning industry and pharmaceutical industry. Glycol has a strong dissolving capability but it is easily to be oxidized to toxic metabolic oxalic acid and therefore can’t be widely used as a solvent. The ethylene glycol can be supplemented to the hydraulic fluid and can be used for preventing the erosion of oil-based hydraulic fluid on the rubber of the system; the water-based hydraulic fluid with ethylene glycol as a main component is an inflammable hydraumatic fluid and can be applied to the molding machine in aircraft, automobiles and high-temperature operation. There are many important derivatives of ethylene glycol. Low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (mono-uret ethylene glycol, bi-uret ethylene glycol, tri-uret ethylene glycol or respectively called as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol) is actually the byproduct during the hydration of ethylene oxide B for preparation of ethylene glycol.

Production method

1. Direct hydration of ethylene oxide is currently the only way for industrial-scale production of ethylene glycol. Ethylene oxide and water, under pressure (2.23MPa) and 190-200 ℃ conditions, and can directly have liquid-phase hydration reaction in a tubular reactor to generate ethylene glycol while being with byproducts diethylene glycol, tripropylene ethylene gl]ycol and multi-uret poly ethylene glycol. The dilute ethylene glycol solution obtained from the reaction further undergoes thin film evaporator condensation, and then dehydration, refinement to obtain qualified products and by-products. 2. sulfuric acid catalyzed hydration of ethylene oxide; ethylene oxide can react with water, in the presence of sulfuric acid as the catalyst, at 60-80 ℃ and pressure of 9.806-19.61kPa for hydration to generate ethylene glycol. The reaction mixture can be neutralized by liquid alkaline and evaporated of the water to obtain 80% ethylene glycol, and then distilled and concentrated in distillation column to obtain over 98% of the finished product. This method is developed in early time. Owing to the presence of corrosion, pollution and product quality problems, together with complex refining process, countries have gradually discontinued and instead change to direct hydration. 3. Direct ethylene hydration; directly synthesize ethylene glycol from ethylene instead of being via ethylene oxide. 4. dichloroethane hydrolysis. 5. Formaldehyde method.
Industrial preparation of ethylene glycol adopts chlorine ethanol method, ethylene oxide hydration and direct ethylene hydration with various methods having their characteristics, as described below.
Chlorohydrin method
Take chloroethanol as raw materials for hydrolysis in alkaline medium to obtain it. The reaction is carried out at 100 ℃. First generate ethylene oxide. Then pressurize at 1.01 MPa pressure to obtain ethylene glycol.
Ethylene oxide hydration
Hydration of ethylene oxide contains catalytic hydration and direct hydration. The hydration process can be carried out under either normal pressure or under compression. Normal pressure method generally take a small amount of inorganic acid as catalyst for reaction at 50~70 ℃.
Pressurized hydration had a high demand for the molar ratio of ethylene oxide over water which is higher than 1:6, to reduce the side reaction of producing the ether with the reaction temperature being at 150 °C and the pressure being 147kPa with hydration generating ethylene glycol.
There are currently gas phase catalytic hydration with silver oxide being the catalyst and the alumina oxide being the carrier for reaction at 150~240 ℃ to generate ethylene glycol.
Direct hydration of ethylene
Ethylene, in the presence of catalyst (e.g., antimony oxide TeO2 with palladium catalyst) can be oxidized in acetic acid solution to generate monoacetate ester or diacetate ester with further hydrolysis obtaining the ethylene glycol.
The above several methods takes ethylene oxide hydration as good with simple process and is suitable for industrialization.

Category

Flammable liquid.

Toxicity grading

Poisoning.

Acute toxicity

Oral-rat LD50: 4700 mg/kg; Oral-Mouse LD50: 5500 mg/kg.

Irritation data

Skin-rabbit 555 mg Mild; Eyes-rabbit 500 mg/24 hr mild.

Hazardous characteristics of explosive

Being mixed with air can be explosive.

Flammability and hazard characteristics

It is combustible in case of fire, high temperature and strong oxidant with burning releasing smoke irritation.

Storage characteristics

Treasury: ventilation, low-temperature and dry.

Extinguishing agents

Foam, carbon dioxide, water spray, sand.

Professional standards

TWA 60 mg/m³; STEL 120 mg/m3.

Description

Ethylene glycol was first synthesized in 1859; however, it did not become a public health concern until after World War II. In fact, the first published series of deaths from ethylene glycol consumption involved 18 soldiers who drank antifreeze as a substitute for ethanol. Despite the early recognition that patients who drank ethanol in addition to ethylene glycol had prolonged survival when compared to those drinking ethylene glycol alone, antidotal treatment of ethylene glycol toxicity with ethanol was not evaluated until the 1960s. Today, ethylene glycol poisoning continues to be a public health problem, particularly in the southeastern United States. In 2009, US poison control centers received 5282 calls about possible ethylene glycol exposures, and the toxicology community believes these exposures are underreported.

Chemical Properties

Ethylene glycol is a colorless, viscous, hydroscopic liquid with a sweetish taste. Often colored fluorescent yellow-green when used in automotive antifreeze. Ethylene glycol is odorless and does not provide any warning of inhalation exposure to hazardous concentrations. The Odor Threshold in air is 25 ppm.

Chemical Properties

Ethylene glycol,CH20HCH20H, also known as glycol,ethylene alcohol, glycol alcohol, and dihydric alcohol, is a colorless liquid. It is soluble in water and in alcohol. Ethyleneglycol has a low freezing point,-25°C (-13 OF), and is widely used as an antifreeze in automobiles and in hydraulic fluids. It is used as a solvent for nitrocellulose and in the manufacture of acrylonitrile, dynamites, and resins.

Uses

Antifreeze in cooling and heating systems. In hydraulic brake fluids and de-icing solutions. Industrial humectant. Ingredient of electrolytic condensers (where it serves as solvent for boric acid and borates). Solvent in the paint and plastics industries. In the formulation of printers' inks, stamp pad inks, ball-point pen ink. Softening agent for cellophane. Stabilizer for soybean foam used to extinguish oil and gasoline fires. In the synthesis of safety explosives, glyoxal, unsatd ester type alkyd resins, plasticizers, elastomers, synthetic fibers (Terylene, Dacron), and synthetic waxes. To create artificial smoke and mist for theatrical uses.

Uses

A research was performed on automotive engine cooling systems using Ethylene Glycol (EG) and copper nano-particles as a coolant. It was seen that Cu-EG nanofluid was found better than base EG in terms of engine cooling. It was also concluded from the study that the degree of cooling is a linear function of nanofluid concentration. The highest cooling of 19.3 °C was observed at a 5% concentration of Cu nanoparticles while the least cooling at 10 °C degree was observed with Ethylene glycol coolant^[2].

Uses

Reagent typically used in cyclocondensation reactions with aldehydes1 and ketones1,2 to form 1,3-dioxolanes.

Uses

Ethylene glycol is used as an antifreeze inheating and cooling systems (e.g., automobileradiators and coolant for airplane motors).It is also used in the hydraulic brake fluids;as a solvent for paints, plastics, and inks; as a softening agent for cellophane; and in themanufacture of plasticizers, elastomers, alkydresins, and synthetic fibers and waxes.

Production Methods

Historically, ethylene glycol has been manufactured by hydrolyzing ethylene oxide. Presently, it is also produced commercially by oxidizing ethylene in the presence of acetic acid to form ethylene diacetate, which is hydrolyzed to the glycol, and acetic acid is recycled in the process .

Preparation

Ethylene glycol is prepared by the hydration of ethylene oxide:

This reaction is carried out in a manner comparable to that described for the preparation of propylene glycol from propylene oxide . Ethylene glycol is a colourless liquid, b.p. 197C.

Application

Integrating CO2 capture with electrochemical conversion offers a promising pathway to reduce the energy penalty associated with conventional solvent regeneration. In this study, researchers develop a non-aqueous Monoethanolamine (MEA)-based solvent composed of Choline Chloride (ChCl) and Ethylene Glycol (EG), designed to function simultaneously as a CO2 absorbent and an electrolyte in an electrolyzer, thereby eliminating the need for intermediate solvent regeneration steps^[1].

Definition

ChEBI: A 1,2-glycol compound produced via reaction of ethylene oxide with water.

Reactions

Glycol reacts (1) with sodium to form sodium glycol, CH2OH · CH2ONa, and disodium glycol, CH2ONa·CH2ONa; (2) with phosphorus pentachloride to form ethylene dichloride, CH2Cl·CH2Cl (3) with carboxy acids to form mono- and disubstituted esters, e.g., glycol monoacetate, CH2OH·CH2OOCCH3, glycol diacetate, CH3COOCH2 · CH2OOCCH3; (4) with nitric acid (with sulfuric acid), to form glycol mononitrate, CH2OH·CH2ONO2, glycol dinitrate, CH2ONO2 · CH2ONO2; (5) with hydrogen chloride, heated, to form glycol chlorohydrin (ethylene chlorohydrin, CH2OH·CHCl); (6) upon regulated oxidation to form glycollic aldehyde, CH2OH·CHO, glyoxal, CHO · CHO, glycollic acid, CH2OH·COOH, glyoxalic acid, CHO·COOH, oxalic acid, COOH·COOH.

General Description

Ethylene glycol is a clear, colorless syrupy liquid. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. Since Ethylene glycol is a liquid Ethylene glycol can easily penetrate the soil and contaminate groundwater and nearby streams.

Reactivity Profile

Mixing Ethylene glycol in equal molar portions with any of the following substances in a closed container caused the temperature and pressure to increase: chlorosulfonic acid, oleum, sulfuric acid, [NFPA 1991].

Hazard

Questionable carcinogen. Toxic by ingestion and inhalation. Lethal dose reported to be 100 cc.

Health Hazard

The acute inhalation toxicity of 1,2-ethanediolis low. This is due to its low vaporpressure, 0.06 torr at 20°C (68°F). Its saturationconcentration in air at 20°C (68°F)is 79 ppm and at 25°C (77°F) is 131 ppm(ACGIH 1986). Both concentrations exceedthe ACGIH ceiling limit in air, which is50 ppm. In humans, exposure to its mist orvapor may cause lacrimation, irritation ofthroat, and upper respiratory tract, headache,and a burning cough. These symptoms maybe manifested from chronic exposure toabout 100 ppm for 8 hours per day for severalweeks.
The acute oral toxicity of 1,2-ethanediol islow to moderate. The poisoning effect, however,is much more severe from ingestionthan from inhalation. Accidental ingestion of80–120 mL of this sweet-tasting liquid canbe fatal to humans. The toxic symptoms inhumans may be excitement or stimulation,followed by depression of the central nervoussystem, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness,which may, in the case of severe poisoning,progress to coma, respiratory failure, anddeath. When rats were administered sublethaldoses over a long period, there was depositionof calcium oxalate in tubules, causinguremic poisoning.
LD50 value, oral (rats): 4700 mg/kg
Ingestion of 1,2-ethanediol produced reproductiveeffects in animals, causing fetotoxicity, postimplantation mortality, andspecific developmental abnormalities. Mutagenictests proved negative. It tested negativeto the histidine reversion–Ames test.

Health Hazard

Inhalation of vapor is not hazardous. Ingestion causes stupor or coma, sometimes leading to fatal kidney injury.

Fire Hazard

Ethylene glycol is combustible.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Biochem/physiol Actions

Ethylene glycol is a low toxicity molecule and is used for embryo cryopreservation in many domestic animals.Ethylene glycol 5M solution is an additive screening solution of Additive Screening Kit. Additive Screen kit is designed to allow rapid and convenient evaluation of additives and their ability to influence the crystallization of the sample. The Additive Kit provides a tool for refining crystallization conditions.

Safety Profile

Human poison by ingestion. (Lethal dose for humans reported to be 100 mL.) Moderately toxic to humans by an unspecified route. Moderately toxic experimentally by ingestion, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intramuscular routes. Human systemic effects by ingestion and inhalation: eye lachrymation, general anesthesia, headache, cough, respiratory stimulation, nausea or vomiting, pulmonary, kidney, and liver changes. If ingested it causes initial central nervous system stimulation followed by depression. Later, it causes potentially lethal kidney damage. Very toxic in particulate form upon inhalation. An experimental teratogen. Other experimental reproductive effects. Human mutation data reported. A skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritant. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame; can react vigorously with oxidants. Moderate explosion hazard when exposed to flame. Iptes on contact with chromium trioxide, potassium permanganate, and sodium peroxide. Mixtures with ammonium dichromate, silver chlorate, sodium chlorite, and uranyl nitrate ipte when heated to 100°C. Can react violently with chlorosulfonic acid, oleum, H2SO4, HClO4, and Pass. Aqueous solutions may ignite silvered copper wires that have an applied D.C. voltage. To fight fire, use alcohol foam, water, foam, CO2, dry chemical. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Potential Exposure

Ethylene glycol is used in antifreeze (especially as car radiator antifreeze) and in production of polyethylene terephthalate fibers and films; in hydraulic fluids; antifreeze and coolant mixtures for motor vehicles; electrolytic condensers; and heat exchangers. It is also used as a solvent and as a chemical intermediate for ethylene glycol dinitrate, glycol esters; resins, and for pharmaceuticals.

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, getmedical attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit

Environmental Fate

Ethylene glycol is considered an inert ingredient in pesticides. It typically enters the environment through waste streams after use of deicing products, where it is highly mobile in soil and contaminates groundwater. Ethylene glycol is considered ‘readily biodegradable.’ It biodegrades relatively quickly; its half-life (t1/2) is 2–12 days in soil.
Ethylene glycol is biodegraded in water under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions within a day to a few weeks. In the atmosphere, ethylene glycol photochemically degrades with a t1/2 of approximately 2 days.

Solubility in organics

Miscible with water and alcohol, soluble in lower atifatic alcohols and ketones, Propylene glycol and Glycerin, poorly soluble in Hydrocarbons such as Terpenes as well as in Terpene alcohols, esters, etc.

storage

Color Code—Green: General storage may be used.Prior to working with this chemical you should be trainedon its proper handling and storage. Before entering confinedspace where this chemical may be present, check to makesure that an explosive concentration does not exist.Ethylene glycol must be stored to avoid contact with sulfuric acid since violent reactions occur. Store in tightly closedcontainers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from oxidizing agents (such as perchlorates, peroxides, permanganates,chlorates, and nitrates).

Shipping

UN3082 Environmentally hazardous substances, liquid, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-Miscellaneous hazardous material, Technical Name Required

Purification Methods

It is very hygroscopic, and also likely to contain higher diols. Dry it with CaO, CaSO4, MgSO4 or NaOH and distil it under vacuum. Dry further by reaction with sodium under nitrogen, reflux for several hours and distil. The distillate is then passed through a column of Linde type 4A molecular sieves and finally distil under nitrogen, from more molecular sieves. Then fractionally distil it. [Beilstein 1 IV 2369.]

Toxicity evaluation

Ethylene glycol has low toxicity but it is metabolized to a variety of toxic metabolites. Ethylene glycol and glycolaldehyde have an intoxicating effect on the central nervous system that can lead to ataxia, sedation, coma, and respiratory arrest similar to ethanol intoxication. However, the profound metabolic acidosis reported in toxicity is secondary to accumulation of acid metabolites, especially glycolic acid. The oxalic acid metabolite complexes with calcium and precipitates as calcium oxalate crystals in the renal tubules, leading to acute renal injury. Further, oxalate’s ability to chelate calcium may cause clinically relevant serum hypocalcemia.

Incompatibilities

Reacts with sulfuric acid, oleum, chlorosulfonic acid; strong oxidizing agents; strong bases; chromium trioxide; potassium permanganate; sodium peroxide. Hygroscopic (i.e., absorbs moisture from the air)

Toxics Screening Level

The ITSL for ethylene glycol is 1000 μg/m3 based on a 1 hour averaging time.

Waste Disposal

Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed. Alternatively, ethylene glycol can be recovered from polyester plant wastes

References

[1] Farahmandazad, H., Sharma, N., Burgers, I., Goetheer, E., & De Jong, W. (2026). CO2 absorption and thermophysical properties of monoethanolamine in choline Chloride-Ethylene glycol: a solvent for integrated CO2 capture and electrochemical conversion. Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, 101143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2026.101143
[2] Satpute, J., Campli, S., Sonawane, P., Gade, S., Yadav, S., Channapattana, S., Dey, T., & Hakizimana, E. (2025). Analysis of ethylene glycol (EG) based nanofluid coolant for enhancing cooling capacity of engine. Discover Applied Sciences, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07812-6