[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of tetraethylene glycol monobutyl ether, is diethylene glycol monobutyl ether dangerous goods?

Properties of Tetraethylene Glycol Mono-butyl Ether

Tetraethylene glycol monobutyl ether (Tetraethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether, abbreviated as TEGBE) is an important organic compound. Its chemical formula is C14H30O5 and its molecular weight is 278.39. TEGBE appears as a colorless transparent liquid at room temperature, with a slight characteristic odor. It has a boiling point of 345°C, a flash point of 160°C and a density of about 0.99g/cm³. It has good solubility in water and is miscible with most organic solvents. Because of its molecular structure contains many hydroxyl groups and ether bonds, TEGBE shows good chemical stability and high boiling point characteristics.

Four ethylene glycol monobutyl ether use

TEGBE is widely used in many industrial fields. It is often used as a solvent, especially in the field of paints, coatings and inks, because it can provide good solubility and appropriate volatilization rate. TEGBE is also an effective plasticizer used in the production of plastics and resins to improve the flexibility and durability of products. It also occupies a place in the formulation of pesticides, cleaning agents and surfactants, which can effectively reduce surface tension and enhance cleaning and penetration capabilities. In addition, TEGBE is also used in cosmetics and personal care products. Because of its superior solubility and mild chemical properties, it is often used to formulate products such as lotions and shampoos.

Upstream raw materials

The production of TEGBE involves multiple upstream feedstocks, including primarily ethylene oxide and n-butanol. Ethylene oxide is an important organic chemical raw material, which is produced by the oxidation of ethylene. n-Butanol can be obtained by many ways, such as the addition reaction of ethylene, the carbonylation reaction of propylene and so on. These raw materials undergo a multi-step reaction to first produce ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and then through a stepwise ethoxylation reaction to produce tetraethylene glycol monobutyl ether. The entire production process requires strict control of reaction conditions to ensure high purity and high yield of the product.

Downstream Products

TEGBE's downstream products cover multiple industrial sectors. The first is a variety of coatings and paint products, the use of TEGBE good solubility and low volatility, to produce excellent performance of coatings and paints. Followed by plastic and rubber products, TEGBE as a plasticizer, so that these materials have better flexibility and durability. In the field of cosmetics and personal care products, TEGBE is used to produce products such as lotions and shampoos, which provide a gentle feeling of use and superior dissolution properties. In addition, TEGBE is also used in the formulation of cleaning agents and surfactants to produce efficient cleaning products.

storage method

The storage of TEGBE requires special attention to ensure its stability and safety. TEGBE should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, away from fire and heat sources. The storage container must be tightly closed to prevent leakage and moisture absorption. Suitable container materials include stainless steel and corrosion resistant plastics. During transportation, violent collision and squeezing should be avoided to ensure that the container is intact. In order to prevent accidents, the warehouse should also be equipped with appropriate fire extinguishing equipment, such as dry powder fire extinguishers and carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, to deal with possible fires.

Safety and environmental protection

TEGBE needs to pay attention to safety and environmental protection issues during use and handling. Despite its low toxicity, prolonged exposure may cause irritation to the skin and eyes. Therefore, operators should wear appropriate protective equipment such as gloves and goggles. TEGBE waste disposal must comply with local environmental regulations and avoid direct discharge into the environment. The waste liquid should be specially treated, such as neutralization and incineration, to ensure that the impact on the environment is minimized.

Market Prospects

The demand for TEGBE in the market continues to grow, mainly due to its diverse application areas and superior chemical properties. With the increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the demand for solvents with low volatility and low toxicity is increasing, and TEGBE has a broad application prospect in coatings and cleaning agents. With the expansion of the personal care product market, TEGBE's application in cosmetics will also grow further. In the future, with the advancement of technology and process optimization, TEGBE's production cost is expected to be further reduced, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness.

Conclusion

Tetraethylene glycol monobutyl ether, as an important organic compound, plays an important role in many fields because of its unique physical and chemical properties. From the selection of upstream raw materials to the diverse applications of downstream products, TEGBE shows a broad market prospect. Although its storage and handling need to pay attention to safety and environmental protection issues, with the continuous progress of technology and process, the application scope and market demand of TEGBE will be further expanded. As a part of the chemical industry, TEGBE undoubtedly has an important position and potential in the future development.