Diethylene Glycol

The characteristics of MEGlobal's diethylene glycol (DEG) products supplement our monoethylene
glycol (MEG) portfolio, augmenting our capabilities to include applications that require hygroscopicity,
lubricants and low volatility.
Products that capitalize on these and other DEG properties include:
Drywall joint compound
Thermoplastic polyurethanes
Emulsifiers
Plasticizers
Glass- and cement-grinding aids
Furniture and shoe polishes
Printing ink
Diethylene Glycol is a colorless, low-volatility, low viscosity, hygroscopic liquid. Under normal conditions,
diethylene glycol has no detectable odor; however, under high vapor concentrations, a slightly sweet odor
may be detected.
It is completely miscible with water and many organic liquids.
Because of its higher molecular weight, diethylene glycol is considerably less volatile than ethylene glycol
and differs sufficiently in that it has specialized uses. The reactivity and solubility of diethylene glycol
provide the basis for many applications.

Hydroxyls
The hydroxyl groups on glycols undergo alcohol chemistry, providing opportunities for production of a
wide variety of derivatives. Hydroxyls can be converted to aldehydes, alkyl halides, amines, azides,
carboxylic acids, ethers, mercaptans, nitrate esters, nitriles, nitrite esters, organic esters, peroxides,
phosphate esters and sulfate esters.

Uses[edit]
Diethylene glycol is used in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins, polyurethanes,
and plasticizers.[5] DEG is used as a building block in organic synthesis, e.g. of morpholine and 1,4dioxane. It is a solvent for nitrocellulose, resins, dyes,oils, and other organic compounds. It is
a humectant for tobacco, cork, printing ink, and glue.[6] It is also a component inbrake fluid, lubricants,
wallpaper strippers, artificial fog solutions, and heating/cooking fuel.[1] In personal care products (e.g.
skin cream and lotions, deodorants), DEG is often replaced by selected diethylene glycol ethers. A
dilute solution of diethylene glycol can also be used as a cryoprotectant; however, ethylene glycol is
much more commonly used. Most ethylene glycol antifreeze contains a few percent diethylene
glycol, present as an inadvertent byproduct of ethylene glycol production.