Polypropylene glycol (9) butyl ether stands out as a chemical material with a distinct molecular backbone. This compound brings together polypropylene glycol (PPG) units—nine repeating propylene oxide groups, strung along a chain—with a butyl ether terminating the sequence. The inclusion of the butyl group increases its solubility in organic solvents while maintaining compatibility with water. My experience in laboratory handling and sourcing of surfactants and specialty chemicals confirms its popularity for applications needing low toxicity and versatile solubility. The chemical structure: CxHyOz (where specific values reflect the propylene glycol and butyl moieties), gives it a formula typically written as C13H28O4 when referring to nine PPG units capped by butyl ether.
Polypropylene glycol (9) butyl ether usually appears as a clear, viscous liquid at room temperature, nearly colorless, often showing slight yellow tints after storage. Products rarely arrive in flakes, solid crystals, or pearls—commercial supply almost always comes as a liquid due to the low melting point and fluid consistency. Density lands around 1.02-1.05 g/cm³ at 25°C, making it heavier than water but not by a wide margin. I have had to measure densities in lab settings for custom formulations, and accuracy here directly impacts batch reproducibility in industrial manufacturing. The molecular weight climbs to about 300–350 g/mol depending on exact polymer chain length.
Common specifications include purity of greater than 98%, minimal water content (less than 0.5%), and low acid values. Precise documentation, from my first interaction with chemical suppliers, always reassures buyers about impurity levels since application performance rides on such details. Storage safety is crucial; polypropylene glycol (9) butyl ether does not ignite easily but should be kept away from open flames because prolonged exposure to high heat can break down the ether linkages, forming potentially hazardous byproducts. The compound’s HS code is 2909499090, cataloging it in customs records as a glycol ether derivative. Safety data sheets mark this chemical as low hazard for acute toxicity, but skin and eye contact sometimes cause irritation. Lab technicians and plant workers must use protective gloves and goggles to keep risk in check, following standard chemical hygiene practices.
Polypropylene glycol (9) butyl ether owes much of its behavior to the polyether backbone. This chemical dissolves well in ethanol, acetone, and other common polar organic solvents. Water solubility drops as the butyl tail blocks hydrogen bonding, but the compound still acts as a medium-grade hydrotrope in blends—something I regularly see in cleaning and paint formulations needing both water and oil solubility. The boiling point typically sits above 250°C, far higher than shorter glycol ethers, allowing greater process flexibility and less evaporative loss during application. Viscosity runs higher than mono-alkyl ethers, which must be taken into account in mixing and metering setups. A supplier once told me that pump selection in industrial installations can hinge on viscosity tolerance, so matching the pump’s design curve to the fluid saved both cost and troubleshooting time downstream.
Raw materials for producing polypropylene glycol (9) butyl ether start with propylene oxide and a butanol initiator, using basic or acidic catalysis—familiar territory for chemical engineers or anyone who has walked a polyol production line. The final product’s purity, molecular weight uniformity, and color depend directly on feedstock quality and reaction control. This chemical serves roles as a solvent, plasticizer, surfactant component, and viscosity modifier, weaving into water-based coatings and inks, metalworking fluids, textile processing, and sometimes personal care items. From my research and customer feedback, consistent product quality impacts downstream success in all these sectors. While polypropylene glycol (9) butyl ether is not classed as environmentally persistent, responsible manufactures choose processes with reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and toxins. Supply chain partners increasingly rank these priorities right up there with technical specification guarantees.
Safe storage practices demand containers that block moisture and light, since even minor contamination shifts the physical properties and risks product degradation. I have seen, through hard experience, what oxidation does to ether bonds, causing odors and yellowing that quickly lead to customer complaints. Warehouses keep drums tightly sealed at 15-35°C, off the floor and clear of reactive chemicals (especially acids and oxidizers). Good housekeeping standards—including prompt spill cleanup—prevent slips and unnecessary exposure. Disposal follows typical protocols for glycol ethers: qualified contractors collect unwanted or waste streams, then incinerate or process according to local environmental rules. Emergency response teams need rapid access to hazard sheets, poison control numbers, and ventilation plans in case of accidental release.
Market demand for chemicals like polypropylene glycol (9) butyl ether rises with growth in coated paper, precision electronics cleaning, and modern paint formulations. Customers now scrutinize both performance and safety. Some industry groups push for safer, bio-based alternatives or process steps that further reduce waste and emissions. Recyclers sometimes recover spent glycol ethers for non-critical cleaning jobs, though this only makes sense with large, centralized waste streams. Companies developing new catalysts have lowered production temperatures and energy use, cutting costs and greenhouse gas output. In my view, tech improvements like these matter as much as raw material sourcing and process control, since sustainability concerns grow more urgent every quarter. Any buyer or product developer researching polypropylene glycol (9) butyl ether should look beyond simple specifications, evaluating suppliers for stewardship, transparency, and innovation in parallel with price and performance.
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