Polypropylene Glycol (2) Butyl Ether belongs to a class of synthetic, water-soluble polymers, made by reacting propylene oxide with butanol. The molecule stands out for its compact size, consisting of two propylene oxide units attached to a butyl ether group, and a chemical formula of C10H22O3. The structural formula illustrates a straight chain capped with a butyl group, providing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic character. In practice, you find this compound as a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature, with a faint, sweet odor and a texture that doesn’t feel sticky or viscous like heavier glycols. Each liter weighs about 940 kg/m³—that’s a specific density, giving it a feel a bit lighter than water.
Unlike heavier polyether products, Polypropylene Glycol (2) Butyl Ether melts below zero, staying liquid down to nearly -55°C. It boils at 235°C, helping it resist evaporation during common industrial processes. The low volatility keeps workspaces free from noticeable odor, which people in manufacturing appreciate. Solubility stands out as a key trait: it mixes well with water and many organic solvents, such as alcohols and glycols. The liquid quality proves useful for cleaning, surface treatments, and as a solvent in coatings. Despite the “glycol” in its name, it holds a faintly sweet aroma, not intense or offensive. The molecular structure—with ether and hydroxyl functional groups—drives properties like moderate evaporation rate, mid-range surface tension, and good compatibility with resins and polymers.
On the market, this product rarely appears as flakes, powder, or pearls. The most frequent form is a clear liquid, sometimes described in bulk chemical terms as a “material” or “solution” rather than a discrete product. Solid forms don’t occur under normal storage or shipping temperatures, so buyers don’t run into drum settling or crystal formation. Engineers who work with this molecule trust it to come as a homogeneous, easy-to-measure liquid. Labs run purity checks, confirming the content meets the spec—often more than 97% pure by weight, sometimes higher for electronics or specialty use. Dealers label drums with its unique HS Code, which classifies it for customs as 290949.9000—a detail supply chain managers check to avoid regulatory slowdowns.
Most users encounter Polypropylene Glycol (2) Butyl Ether as a component in degreasers, paint strippers, dissolvers, or hydraulic fluids. Several factories use it as a chemical intermediate, blending it with other ingredients for lubricants or as a solvent for dyes, inks, and glues. The balance between water solubility and oil solubility means faster cleaning, improved spreadability in coatings, and controlled evaporation during drying or curing. In my experience, teams notice how this ether doesn't attack plastic containers and rarely forms a film, keeping equipment cleaner during use.
While generally viewed as safe for workplace handling with standard precautions—gloves and eye protection keep most risks at bay—its chemical properties require respect. Direct skin exposure can someday cause irritation; inhaling high concentrations in poorly ventilated spaces could lead to headaches or mild discomfort. Regulatory reviews generally don’t flag it as acutely hazardous, but no one should ignore the potential for harm with repeated or careless handling. Fire risk stays low due to a high flash point, which reduces the chance of flammable vapor. Still, like most organic chemicals, introducing it to strong oxidizers or acids could trigger hazardous reactions. Facilities handling Polypropylene Glycol (2) Butyl Ether maintain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and follow guidelines for spills, storage, and disposal.
Making Polypropylene Glycol (2) Butyl Ether involves a couple of basic raw materials: butanol acts as a starter, and propylene oxide supplies the repeating units. In large reactors, manufacturers add propylene oxide slowly to control the size—stopping after just two units for this specific grade. Each batch passes a specification check: labs measure molecular weight, density, boiling point, and confirm the absence of residual butanol or unreacted propylene oxide. These tests protect end users from hidden hazardous residues or inconsistent supply. Shipping and storage stay simple with drums or totes, because of low reactivity and a stable liquid state over a typical range of handling and transport temperatures.
One of the overlooked realities with specialty solvents and glycol ethers like Polypropylene Glycol (2) Butyl Ether is the challenge of waste and recycling. As a liquid, it often ends up in wash streams or as part of spent solvent blends. Companies looking to improve their environmental impact swap to closed-loop recovery—distilling and reusing the ether rather than treating it as single-use. Some organizations run carbon assessment using this ether, helping confirm that the molecular structure and stability reduce greenhouse gas risk compared to lighter, faster-evaporating glycols. In safety briefings, training needs to move beyond paperwork to focus on real-life incidents—accidental spills, confusion between nearly identical glycol ethers, or use outside recommended process windows. I remember seeing maintenance staff accidentally mix this product with strong acids in an older cleaning process, creating fumes—simple labeling improvements and storage separation fixed the hazard quickly at almost no cost.
The product’s flexibility invites both opportunity and risk: it works well in metal cleaning, resin formulation, textile dyeing, and inkjet inks, but each application comes with specific exposure and waste management issues. Many buyers keep a close eye on off-spec shipments—near misses or errors in labeling can cause serious procedural delays or even shutdowns. Trusted suppliers regularly share updated safety data, and encourage users to report handling or performance problems. For every ton of this ether produced, teams balance practical cost, regulatory compliance, and a straightforward route to waste management, showing the value of a hands-on approach at every step from raw material to final use.
Chemical Name: Polypropylene Glycol (2) Butyl Ether
Chemical Formula: C10H22O3
Structure: Butyl ether group attached to two propylene glycol units
Molecular Weight: Approximately 190.28 g/mol
Physical State: Colorless, clear liquid
Boiling Point: ~235°C
Melting Point: ~-55°C
Density: About 0.94 g/mL at 20°C
HS Code: 290949.9000
Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohols, and organic solvents
Material Forms: Liquid (no flakes, solid, powder, or crystals under standard handling)
Raw Materials: Propylene oxide, butanol
Applications: Cleaning agents, coatings, hydraulic fluids, solvents, chemical intermediates
Safety: Eye/skin irritant, use gloves/eye protection, low fire risk, avoid strong acids/oxidizers
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