Abt Associates, Inc. 

1 September 3, 2009 

Environment & Resources Division 

Date September 9, 2009

To Nishkam Agarwal, US EPA 

From Kimberly Wilson, Alice Tome and Tulika Narayan 

Subject Actual and Potential Uses of Fourteen Selected Glymes 

EPA is in the process of promulgating an existing chemical Significant New Use Rule 

(SNUR) for fourteen chemicals collectively known as “glymes” ([poly]ethylene glycol 

diethers). According to the requirements of an Existing Chemical SNUR, EPA is 

currently preparing a standard SNUR economic analysis. As a first step to conduct this 

analysis, this memorandum presents the uses of the fourteen selected glymes: 

• monoglyme (Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number (CAS-RN) 110-71-4); 

• diglyme (CAS-RN 111-96-6); 

• triglyme (CAS-RN 112-49-2); 

• tetraglyme (CAS-RN 143-24-8); 

• polyglyme (CAS-RN 24991-55-7); 

• butyl diglyme (CAS-RN 112-73-2); 

• ethyldiglyme (CAS-RN 112-36-7); 

• tetraethylene glycol dibutyl ether (CAS-RN 112-98-1); 

• ethylene glycol diethyl ether (CAS-RN 629-14-1); 

• tetraethylene glycol diethyl ether (CAS-RN 4353-28-0); 

• pentaethylene glycol diethyl ether (CAS-RN 23601-39-0); 

• polyethylene glycol dibutyl ether (CAS-RN)31885-97-9); 

• pentaethylene glycol dibutyl ether (CAS-RN 51105-00-1); and 

• butyltriglyme (CAS-RN 63512-36-7). 

Abt Associates researched several sources on the use of glymes that include: 

• TSCA Inventory Update Rule (IUR) public database (1986-2006); 1

• SRI Chemical Economics Handbook and SRI Specialty Chemicals Program books 

(SRI);2

 

1

 “IUR Data” available at http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/index.htm (Accessed August 31, 2009) 2

 While the SRI Chemical Economics Handbook had a section on glycol ethers the chemicals discussed 

were monoethers and not diethers. 

memorandum 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

2 September 3, 2009 

• Industry and trade magazines such as industry and trade magazines such as the 

“Chemical Market Reporter” and the “Chemical Engineering News”; 

• EPA Website; 

• NIH’s Hazardous Substances Databank (HSDB);3

• Score Card: The Pollution Information Website (Scorecard);4 and 

• General web search. 

In addition to these data sources, we included the information from a memorandum that 

Eastern Research Group (ERG) prepared for U.S. EPA on the uses of six glymes 

(monoglyme, digylme, triglyme, tetraglyme, polyglyme, and butyl glyme) based on 

phone interviews with the industry (ERG, 2009). 

Abt Associates considered all uses from phone interviews with industry as confirmed 

uses of the glymes or “actual” uses. All the uses from the remaining data sources are 

considered “reported” uses, or uses that are not confirmed uses of the glymes.5

 The IUR 

database lists the uses under a combined heading of “consumer/commercial” so that it 

was not possible to separate out the consumer and non-consumer uses. Therefore, we 

considered these uses as reported consumer and/or reported non-consumer uses based on 

the specific applications. The next section presents these actual and reported uses of the 

fourteen glymes. 

Uses

Glymes are used in a variety of consumer and non-consumer applications. Some actual 

consumer uses of the fourteen selected glymes include use in print ink manufacturing, 

adhesives production, brake fluid, and lithium batteries. Actual non-consumer uses of the 

selected glymes include use in pharmaceutical products and the production of electronic 

circuit boards. 

The actual and reported consumer and non-consumer uses of each chemical are 

summarized in Table 1 below. For several glymes, one of the reported uses listed is 

“IUR other use.” This represents a potentially broad category of uses and includes all 

uses other than the nineteen listed in the IUR reporting form: 1) Adhesives and sealants, 

2) Agricultural products (non-pesticidal), 3) Artists' supplies, 4) Automotive care 

products, 5) Electrical and electronic products, 6) Fabrics, textiles and apparel, 7) Glass 

and ceramic products, 8) Lawn and garden products (non-pesticidal), 9) Leather products, 

10) Lubricants, greases and fuel additives, 11) Metal products, 12) Paints and coatings, 

13) Paper products, 14) Photographic supplies, 15) Polishes and sanitation goods, 16) 

Rubber and plastic products, 17) Soaps and detergents, 18) Transportation products, and 

19) Wood and wood furniture (see Appendix A). 

 

3 http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/

4 www.scorecard.org

5

 Although SRI is considered a reliable source on uses, no information was available from this source on 

the uses of these fourteen glymes. 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

3 September 3, 2009 

The uses for each of the glymes are discussed in more detail after the table along with 

information on production volume and use from the public IUR databases from 1986 to 

2006.6

 

6

 Information on use is available only in the 2006 public IUR database. 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

4 

Table 1: Summary of the Actual and Reported Uses of the Fourteen Selected Glymes 

Consumer Use(s) Non-Cons

Glyme CAS-RN Actual Use1 Source Reported Use2 Source Actual Use1 Source 

Solvent for lithium ion batteries 

Clariant, 2009 and Novotlyte Technologies, 2009 

Solvent in pharmaceutical syntheses 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

Solvent in manufacture of anti-AIDS drugs 

Clariant, 2009 

 

Monoglyme 110-71-4 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

5 

Consumer Use(s) Non-Cons

Glyme CAS-RN Actual Use1 Source Reported Use2 Source Actual Use1 Source 

Solvent in printing ink manufacturing 

Novolyte 

Technologies, 

2008 

Solvent in intermediate and pharmaceutical syntheses 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

Adhesives and sealants4

IUR (EPA, 

2006b) 

Automotive Care4

Brake Fluid 

IUR (EPA, 2006b) Ferro, 2009 

Paints and coatings4

IUR (EPA, 2006b) 

Diglyme 111-96-6 

 

Process solvent for adhesives 

Clariant, 2009 

Binding agent in porcelain powders 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

Component of brake fluids 

Clariant, 2009 

Sodium cyanide – restricted use pesticide (may be limited to commercial farming) 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

Triglyme 112-49-2 

Component of paint/graffiti 

Novolyte Technologies, 

 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

6 

Consumer Use(s) Non-Cons

Glyme CAS-RN Actual Use1 Source Reported Use2 Source Actual Use1 Source 

remover 2009 Paint production 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

HFC/CFC lubricant 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

Dye fixation additive for cotton textiles; 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

Solubilizing agent for printing inks 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

Process solvent – fungicide 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

Coalescing agent for paint process 

Clariant, 2009 

Solubilizing agent for plastics and textiles 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

Tetraglyme 143-24-8 

 

Fragrance production Ferro, 2009 

Solubilizing agent for plastics, textiles, and paper 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009 

 Paint stripping Clariant, 2009 Automotive care products4 IUR (EPA, 2006b) 

 Paper products4 IUR (EPA, 2006b)  Adhesive removers Ferro, 2009 

Polyglyme 24991-55-7 

Anti-fog compounds and brake fluid 

Ferro, 2009 

Solvent for conductive ink 

Novolyte Technologies 

Butyl Diglyme 112-73-2 

Printed circuit etchants 

Novolyte Technologies 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

7 

Consumer Use(s) Non-Cons

Glyme CAS-RN Actual Use1 Source Reported Use2 Source Actual Use1 Source 

 

Coatings and adhesives manufacturing 

Scorecard, 2005 

Solvent in printing inks Ash, 1996 

Ethyldiglyme 112-36-7 

Paint and paint varnishes 

Scorecard, 2005 

 Brake fluid Wagner, 1998 

Tetraethylene glycol dibutyl ether 112-98-1 

 Paint production Ash, 2009 

Production of “other” polishes 

Scorecard, 2005 

Ethylene 

glycol diethyl 

ether 

629-14-1 

Adhesive solvent and polycarbonate swelling agent 

Ferro 2009 

 Brake fluid 

Federal Mogul, , 2007 and Wagner, 1998 

Tetraethylene 

glycol diethyl 

ether 

4353-28-0 

Pentaethylene 

glycol diethyl 

ether 

23601-39-0 

 Brake fluid 

Cross Packaging, 1998 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

8 

Consumer Use(s) Non-Cons

Glyme CAS-RN Actual Use1 Source Reported Use2 Source Actual Use1 Source 

 Coating production Clariant, 2008 

Gel laundry detergent 

Unilever, 2007 

Polyethylene 

glycol dibutyl 

ether 

31885-97-9 

 

Pentaethylene 

glycol dibutyl 

ether 

51105-00-1 

 

Butyltriglyme 63512-36-7 

Notes: 1A use is considered an “actual use” if it is listed as a use on SRI (no uses found), or if a company representative has confirmed the use as a consumer or non-co

conversation with ERG (ERG, 2009). 

2 A use is considered a “reported” use if it is listed as a use in the public IUR database (because IUR does not distinguish between consumer and non-consumer uses)

company’s website as a use, but was not confirmed as a use by a company representative. 

3 See Appendix A for the list of uses excluded from the “other” category in IUR. 4 Since the IUR data did not clearly indicate if the use is consumer or non-consumer for the specific glyme, the use is listed as a reported consumer use if the phone in

actual consumer use for the same use category, but for a different glyme. For example, “paints and coatings” use for Diglyme is considered a reported consumer use Clariant report consumer use for paint production for both Trigylme and Tetraglyme. “Automotive care products” for Diglyme and Polyglyme are assumed to contain 

confirmed as a consumer use for Triglyme. Therefore automotive care products are considered reported consumer use. “Fabrics, textiles and apparel” use for Tetragl

consumer use because Novolyte Technologies confirms that “dye fixation additive for cotton textiles” is a non-consumer use. The uses listed under the adhesives and 

category are considered reported consumer uses based on our judgment that these uses could be consumer uses. 

5 Because the date of the reference Abt Associates is unsure if the chemical is still used in this application. 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

9 September 3, 2009 

Monoglyme

Monoglyme has several uses as an industrial solvent and is a high volume chemical 

(HPV) with annual U.S. production levels greater than 1,000,000 lbs per year (EPA, 

2007). Table 2 below presents the production volume and use information from the 

1986-2006 public IUR databases. The IUR database lists use of monoglyme in “other” 

category that is also listed as a possible use in children’s product. However, no details on 

the specific use are available. 

Monoglyme has one actual consumer use, as an electrolyte solvent in lithium ion batteries 

(Novolyte Technologies, 2009 and Clariant, 2009). The use of monoglyme as a solvent 

in lithium battery manufacturing is found to have moderately toxic acute exposure levels 

(Archuleta, 1994). The chemical also has reported application in a process to treat 

aluminum surfaces so they are less reactive (Clariant, 2008). Additional research would 

be required to determine if there are any consumer uses in this application. 

Among the actual non-consumer uses, Monoglyme is currently used as a solvent in 

pharmaceutical production (Novolyte Technologies, 2009) and as a component of antiAIDS drugs (Clariant, 2009). 

Monoglyme has several reported uses including use in the inner and outer layer etching 

of printed circuit board manufacturing (Scorecard, 2005). Monoglyme has other reported 

applications, because of its low boiling point and high stability, even at high pH. It is 

frequently used in reactions with strong bases and in mixtures where solvent separation 

and recovery is necessary (Ferro, 2009). Monoglyme also has reported application as an 

inert special solvent for organo metallic reactions, particularly those involving alkali 

metals, and metal-catalyzed couplings (Clariant, 2008). For example, reaction rates for 

Suzuki coupling, the Pd-catalyzed carbon-carbon cross coupling of boronic acids with 

organic electrophiles, are drastically increased in monoglyme solvent, when compared to 

traditional alternatives such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) (Clariant, 2008). It is also 

reportedly used as a solvent for oligo- and polysaccharides and is frequently used in sugar 

and carbohydrate chemistry, including protection reactions (Clariant, 2008). 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

10 September 3, 2009 

Table 2: IUR Production Volume and Consumer/Commercial Data for Monoglyme 

Chemical Year 

Reported 

Production Volume 

(Millions of Pounds) 

Consumer/Commercial 

Use1,2

Intended for Use in 

Children’s 

Products 3

1986 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1990 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

1994 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

1998 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

2002 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

Monoglyme 

2006 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Other Yes 

Notes: 1 No consumer or commercial use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 2

 See Appendix A for a complete list of 2006 IUR consumer and commercial use categories. 3

 No children’s use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 

Sources: EPA, 2006b. Non-confidential 2006 IUR Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and 

Use Information (http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem) Accessed August 28, 2009 

EPA, 2002. Non-confidential IUR Production Volume Information (1986-2002) 

(http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm) Accessed August 28, 2009 

Diglyme

Diglyme has only one actual consumer use as a solvent in printing ink 

production.(Novolyte Technologies, 2009). Reported consumer uses for Diglyme include 

use in automotive care (EPA, 2006b) as a component of brake fluid (Ferro, 2009), paints 

and coatings (EPA, 2006b), and adhesives and sealants (EPA, 2006b). 

The actual non-consumer use diglyme is as a solvent in the production of pharmaceutical 

products (Novolite Technologies, 2009). It is also reportedly used as a solvent for 

lithium aluminum hydride and sodium borohydride reductions (Clariant, 2008). Other 

reported non-consumer uses include its use in automotive care (EPA, 2006b), paints and 

coating (EPA, 2006b) and adhesives and sealants (EPA, 2006b). 

Like monoglyme, diglyme is an HPV chemical and is reported in the IUR database (EPA, 

2007). The table below presents the production volume and use information from the 

1986-2006 public IUR databases. 

Table 3: IUR Production Volume and Consumer/Commercial Data for Diglyme 

Chemical Year 

Reported 

Production Volume 

(Millions of Pounds) 

Consumer/Commercial 

Use1,2

Intended for Use in 

Children’s Products 3

1986 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

1990 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

1994 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

1998 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

2002 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

Adhesives and sealants Not Readily 

Obtainable4

Automotive care 

products 

Not Readily 

Obtainable 

Diglyme 

2006 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 

Paints and coatings No 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

11 September 3, 2009 

Other Not Readily 

Obtainable 

Notes: 1 No consumer or commercial use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 2

 See Appendix A for a complete list of 2006 IUR consumer and commercial use categories. 3

No children’s use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 

4

 “Not Readily Obtainable” indicates this information was unknown to the IUR submitter 

Sources: EPA, 2006b. Non-confidential 2006 IUR Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and Use 

Information (http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem) Accessed August 28, 2009 

EPA, 2002. Non-confidential IUR Production Volume Information (1986-2002) 

(http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm) Accessed August 28, 2009 

Triglyme

IUR data shows that triglyme was produced below the IUR reporting threshold (25,000 

lbs at a single site) in 1986, 1990, and 2006 (EPA, 2002 and EPA, 2006b) and that 

between 10,000 and 500,000 lbs of the chemical were produced during all other reporting 

years (EPA, 2002). Table 4 below presents the information on the production volume 

and use from the 1986-2006 public IUR databases. 

Triglyme is more stable than monoglyme and diglyme because of the additional ethylene 

glycol unit which increases the boiling point range for reactions that use it as a solvent. 

Triglyme offers a particularly versatile route for the in situ generation of diborane 

because of its improved stability (Clariant, 2008). In addition, it is a selective solvent for 

methylation reactions with the environmentally benign dimethyl carbonate, methylations 

of aromatic and aliphatic compounds can be carried out under mild conditions without 

the need for a phase transfer catalyst (Clariant, 2008). 

Triglyme has several confirmed consumer uses including use in brake fluid, as a solvent 

in adhesives production (Clariant, 2009), as a component of paint and graffiti remover 

formulations, and in paint production (Novolyte Technologies, 2009). Triglyme also has 

actual non-consumer uses as a binding agent in porcelain powders and as a reaction 

solvent for the manufacture of sodium cyanide (Novolyte Technologies, 2009). 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

12 September 3, 2009 

Table 4: IUR Production Volume and Consumer/Commercial Data for Triglyme 

Chemical Year 

Reported 

Production Volume 

(Millions of Pounds) 

Consumer/Commercial 

Use1,2

Intended for Use in 

Children’s Products 3

1986 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

1990 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

1994 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1998 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

2002 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

Triglyme 

2006 No Reports No Reports No Reports 

Notes: 1 No consumer or commercial use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 2

 See Appendix A for a complete list of 2006 IUR consumer and commercial use categories. 3

 No children’s use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 

Sources: EPA, 2006b. Non-confidential 2006 IUR Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and Use 

Information (http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem) Accessed August 28, 2009 

EPA, 2002. Non-confidential IUR Production Volume Information (1986-2002) 

(http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm) Accessed August 28, 2009 

Tetraglyme

Tetraglyme has several actual consumer uses including as a solubilizing agent for 

printing inks (Novolite Technologies, 2009), and as a coalescing agent in paint 

production (Clariant, 2009). Another actual consumer use of tetraglyme is as a 

HFC/CFC lubricant which may be used in consumer air conditioners (Novolite 

Technologies, 2009). Actual non-consumer uses include use as a solublizing agent in 

textiles and plastics, as a dye fixation additive for cotton textiles, and as a fungicide 

process solvent (Novolite Technologies, 2009). Tetraglyme has a reported use in fabrics, 

textiles and apparel (EPA, 2006b) and as a gas scrubbing agent and has been shown to 

effectively remove CO, CO2, H2S, and other sour-gas components from natural, 

synthetic, or ammonia gas streams (Ferro, 2009). The table below presents the 

production volume and use information from the 1986-2006 public IUR databases. 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

13 September 3, 2009 

Table 5: IUR Production Volume and Consumer/Commercial Data for Tetraglyme 

Chemical Year 

Reported 

Production Volume 

(Millions of Pounds) 

Consumer/Commercial 

Use1,2

Intended for Use in 

Children’s Products

3

1986 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1990 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1994 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1998 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

2002 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

Tetraglyme 

2006 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Fabrics, textiles and 

apparel

Not Readily 

Obtainable4

Notes: 1 No consumer or commercial use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 2

 See Appendix A for a complete list of 2006 IUR consumer and commercial use categories. 3

No children’s use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 

4

 “Not Readily Obtainable” indicates this information was unknown to the IUR submitter 

Sources: EPA, 2006b. Non-confidential 2006 IUR Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and 

Use Information (http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem) Accessed August 28, 2009 

EPA, 2002. Non-confidential IUR Production Volume Information (1986-2002) 

(http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm) Accessed August 28, 2009 

Polyglyme

Polyglyme, like monoglyme and diglyme, is an HPV chemical (EPA, 2006a). It is often 

used as special, high boiling solvents for several chemical reactions including 

depolymerization and hydrogenation. Polyglyme has an actual consumer use in the 

formulation of paint stripping. Reported consumer uses of polyglyme include use in 

adhesive removers, fragrance production, anti-fog compounds, brake fluid (Ferro, 2009), 

automotive care products and paper products (EPA, 2006b). Polyglyme also has several 

non-consumer uses. Actual non-consumer uses for polyglyme include use as a 

solubilizing agent for plastic, textile, and paper processes (Novolite Technologies, 2009). 

A reported non-consumer use for the chemical is in removing sour gas compounds from 

gas streams, absorbing hydrogenated liquids, and scrubbing gas stacks (Ferro, 2009). 

Other reported non-consumer uses include use in paper products and automotive care 

products (EPA, 2006b). The table below presents the production volume and use 

information from the 1986-2006 public IUR databases. 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

14 September 3, 2009 

Table 6: IUR Production Volume and Consumer/Commercial Data for Polyglyme 

Chemical Year 

Reported 

Production Volume 

(Millions of Pounds) 

Consumer/Commercial 

Use1,2

Intended for Use in 

Children’s 

Products 3

1986 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

1990 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

1994 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

1998 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

2002 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

Automotive care 

products

Not Readily 

Obtainable4

Polyglyme 

2006 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 

Paper products Not Readily 

Obtainable 

Notes: 1 No consumer or commercial use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 2

 See Appendix A for a complete list of 2006 IUR consumer and commercial use categories. 3

 No children’s use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 4

 “Not Readily Obtainable” indicates this information was unknown to the IUR submitter 

Sources: EPA, 2006b. Non-confidential 2006 IUR Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and 

Use Information (http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem) Accessed August 28, 2009 

EPA, 2002. Non-confidential IUR Production Volume Information (1986-2002) 

(http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm) Accessed August 28, 2009 

Butyl diglyme

Butyl diglyme is used in similar applications to the other methyl glymes, however it 

differs in the fact that it is very insoluble in water. Unlike the other glymes, butyl 

diglyme has no consumer uses. Actual non-consumer uses include use as a solvent for 

conductive printing ink and in the production of printed circuit etchants (Novolite 

Technologies, 2009). Reported non-consumer uses include use in the preparation of and 

reaction with Grignard reagents (Clariant, 2008). The high solubility of MgCl2 (the main 

byproduct of Grignard reactions) in butyl diglyme helps to improve the isolation of the 

desired product, and the high flash point expands the usefulness of Grignard reactions to 

an industrial scale. This is not feasible when using traditional Grignard solvents; THF or 

diethyl ether (Clariant, 2008). Butyl diglyme also has reported uses in metal extractions. 

It is able to extract gold from hydrochloric acid which contains other metals, such as 

silver, copper, and platinum metals (Cheremisinoff, 2003). The process can be expanded 

to recover gold from computers, electronics, and printed circuit waste (Clariant, 2008). 

The table below presents the production volume and use information from the 1986-2006 

public IUR databases. 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

15 September 3, 2009 

Table 7: IUR Production Volume and Consumer/Commercial Data for Butyl 

Diglyme 

Chemical Year 

Reported 

Production Volume 

(Millions of Pounds) 

Consumer/Commercial 

Use1,2

Intended for Use in 

Children’s 

Products 3

1986 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

1990 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1994 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1998 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

2002 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

Butyl 

diglyme 

2006 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Reported4 Not Reported 4

Notes: 1 No consumer or commercial use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 2

 See Appendix A for a complete list of 2006 IUR consumer and commercial use categories. 3

No children’s use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 

4

 IUR only collects use and processing information for chemicals that have a manufacturing volume greater than 

300,000 lbs during the reporting year. 

Sources: EPA, 2006b. Non-confidential 2006 IUR Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and 

Use Information (http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem) Accessed August 28, 2009 

EPA, 2002. Non-confidential IUR Production Volume Information (1986-2002) 

(http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm) Accessed August 28, 2009 

Ethyldiglyme 

Ethyldiglyme has no actual consumer uses but does have several reported consumer uses. 

It is used in paint and paint varnishes, in coatings and adhesives manufacturing (Score 

Card, 2005) and as a solvent in printing ink production (Ash, 1996). Ethyldiglyme also 

has several reported non-consumer uses. The chemical is reportedly used as a highboiling solvent for nitrocellulose, resins, and lacquers (Ash, 2009). It is highly stable and 

has reported uses as a solubilizer in organic synthesis (Ash, 2009). In addition, 

ethyldiglyme is reportedly used in several manufacturing processes, including as a 

solvent in the production of plastic resins and compounds, rubber chemicals (HSDB, 

2009). The table below presents the production volume and use information from the 

1986-2006 public IUR databases. 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

16 September 3, 2009 

Table 8: IUR Production Volume and Consumer/Commercial Data for 

Ethyldiglyme 

Chemical Year 

Reported 

Production Volume 

(Millions of Pounds) 

Consumer/Commercial 

Use1,2

Intended for Use in 

Children’s 

Products 3

1986 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1990 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1994 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1998 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

2002 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

Butyl 

diglyme 

2006 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Reported4 Not Reported 4

Notes: 1 No consumer or commercial use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 2

 See Appendix A for a complete list of 2006 IUR consumer and commercial use categories. 3

No children’s use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 

4

 IUR only collects use and processing information for chemicals that have a manufacturing volume greater than 

300,000 lbs during the reporting year. 

Sources: EPA, 2006b. Non-confidential 2006 IUR Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and 

Use Information (http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem) Accessed August 28, 2009 

EPA, 2002. Non-confidential IUR Production Volume Information (1986-2002) 

(http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm) Accessed August 28, 2009 

Tetraethylene glycol dibutyl ether 

Tertaethylene glycol dibutyl ether has a reported consumer use as a brake fluid ingredient 

(Federal Mogul, 2007 and Wagner, 1998) and may comprise between 10 and 50 percent 

of the product (Wagner, 1998). The chemical also has reported non-consumer uses in the 

production of heat resistant resin pastes. These pastes are used to produce electronic 

circuit boards (Hitachi Chemical Company, 1992) and semiconductor devices (Hitachi 

Chemical Company, 2006). Information on this glyme is not reported in the 1986-2000 

IUR databases. 

Ethylene glycol diethyl ether 

Ethylene glycol diethyl ether has reported consumer use as solvent in paint production 

(Ash 2009), as well as use as an adhesive solvent and polycarbonate swelling agent 

(Ferro, 2009). Another reported consumer use is in the preparation of “other” polishes 

and related products (Score Card, 2005). A review of the NAICS definition of “Other 

polishing preparations and related products” suggests that this would include metal 

polishes (U.S. Census Bureau, 2002). The chemical’s only non-consumer use is its 

reported use in the production of ester gum, shellac, resins and oils (HSDB, 2009). 

The table below presents the production volume and use information from the 1986-2006 

public IUR databases. 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

17 September 3, 2009 

Table 9: IUR Production Volume and Consumer/Commercial Data for Ethylene 

Glycol Diethyl Ether 

Chemical Year 

Reported 

Production Volume 

(Millions of Pounds) 

Consumer/Commercial 

Use1,2

Intended for Use in 

Children’s 

Products 3

1986 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

1990 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1994 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

1998 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

2002 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

Ethylene 

glycol 

diethyl 

ether 

2006 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Reported4 Not Reported 4

Notes: 1 No consumer or commercial use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 2

 See Appendix A for a complete list of 2006 IUR consumer and commercial use categories. 3

No children’s use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 

4

 IUR only collects use and processing information for chemicals that have a manufacturing volume greater than 

300,000 lbs during the reporting year. 

Sources: EPA, 2006b. Non-confidential 2006 IUR Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and 

Use Information (http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem) Accessed August 28, 2009 

EPA, 2002. Non-confidential IUR Production Volume Information (1986-2002) 

(http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm) Accessed August 28, 2009 

Tetraethylene glycol diethyl ether 

Tertaethylene glycol diethyl ether has many of the same reported applications as 

tetraethylene glycol dibutyl ether. Both chemicals have reported consumer uses as 

ingredients in brake fluid (Federal Mogul, 2007 and Wagner, 1998). The brake fluid may 

contain between 10 and 50 percent tertaethylene glycol diethyl ether (Wagner, 1998). In 

addition, the chemical has a reportedly non-consumer use in the production of a heat 

resistant resin which in turn is used in the production of electronic circuit boards (Hitachi 

Chemical Company, 1992) and semiconductor devices (Hitachi Chemical Company, 

2006). The table below presents the production volume and use information from the 

1986-2006 public IUR database. 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

18 September 3, 2009 

Table 10: IUR Production Volume and Consumer/Commercial Data for 

Tertaethylene glycol diethyl ether 

Chemical Year 

Reported 

Production Volume 

(Millions of Pounds) 

Consumer/Commercial 

Use1,2

Intended for Use in 

Children’s 

Products 3

1986 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1990 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

1994 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

1998 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

2002 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

Tertaethylene 

glycol 

diethyl ether 

2006 No Reports No Reports No Reports 

Notes: 1 No consumer or commercial use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 2

 See Appendix A for a complete list of 2006 IUR consumer and commercial use categories. 3

No children’s use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 

Sources: EPA, 2006b. Non-confidential 2006 IUR Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and 

Use Information (http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem) Accessed August 28, 2009 

EPA, 2002. Non-confidential IUR Production Volume Information (1986-2002) 

(http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm) Accessed August 28, 2009 

Pentaethylene glycol diethyl ether 

Like tetraethylene glycol diethyl and tetraethylene glycol dibutyl ether, pentaethylene 

glycol diethyl ether has a reported consumer use as an ingredient in brake fluid but again 

it is not clear if there is consumer use. Pentaethylene glycol diethyl may comprise 

between 2 and 4 percent of synthetic hydraulic brake fluid (Cross Packaging, 2008). 

Furthermore, the chemical has a reported consumer use in the soldering of electronic 

circuit boards (US Patent 4871109). The table below presents the production volume and 

use information from the 1986-2006 public IUR database. 

Table 11: IUR Production Volume and Consumer/Commercial Data for 

Pentaethylene glycol diethyl ether 

Chemical Year 

Reported 

Production Volume 

(Millions of Pounds) 

Consumer/Commercial 

Use1,2

Intended for Use in 

Children’s 

Products 3

1986 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1990 0.01 ≤ PV < 0.50 Not Available Not Available 

1994 No Reports Not Available Not Available 

1998 0.50 ≤ PV < 1.00 Not Available Not Available 

2002 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Not Available Not Available 

pentaethylene 

glycol diethyl 

ether 

2006 1.00 ≤ PV < 10.0 Claimed as CBI Claimed as CBI 

Notes: 1 No consumer or commercial use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 2

 See Appendix A for a complete list of 2006 IUR consumer and commercial use categories. 3

No children’s use information was collected for the IUR until the 2006 reporting cycle. 

Sources: EPA, 2006b. Non-confidential 2006 IUR Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and 

Use Information (http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem) Accessed August 28, 2009 

EPA, 2002. Non-confidential IUR Production Volume Information (1986-2002) 

(http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm) Accessed August 28, 2009 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

19 September 3, 2009 

Polyethylene glycol dibutyl ether

Polyethylene glycol dibutyl ether has several reported non-consumer uses, including use 

as a solvent in several pharmaceutical syntheses including antiviral and blood pressure 

medication (Clariant, 2008). In addition, the chemical has reported non-consumer 

applications as a gas scrubbing liquid, in the production of various coatings (Clariant, 

2008) and in the soldering of electronic components (Multicore Solders Limited, 1990). 

Polyethylene glycol dibutyl ether has only one reported consumer use, in the production 

of gel laundry detergents (Unilever, 2007). Information on this glyme is not reported in 

the 1986-2000 IUR databases. 

 

Pentaethylene glycol dibutyl ether

We were unable to find any consumer uses of pentaethylene glycol dibutyl either in the 

sources we generally refer to, such as the SRI Chemical Economics Handbook 5 and IUR 

databases. However, an old reference suggests that this glyme was reportedly used in the 

production of methacrylic acid (LONZA AG, 1967). Because of the date of this 

reference, 1967, it is unknown if the chemical is still used to produce methacrylic acid. 

Methacrylic acid is used in the production of polymers, resins, and adhesives (HSDB, 

2009). Information on this glyme is not reported in the 1986-2000 IUR databases. 

Butyltriglyme

Similar to pentaethylene glycol dibutyl ether, we were unable to identify any consumer 

uses for butyltriglyme in recently published sources. However, in the past the chemical 

has reportedly been used as a scrubbing liquid in the removal or recycling of various 

components of gas streams (Schiller and Gmehling, 1992). Butyltriglyme has also 

reportedly been used in the production of methacrylic acid (LONZA AG, 1967). Because 

these references are dated (17-32 years old), it is unknown if butyltriglyme is still used in 

these applications. Information on this glyme is not reported in the 1986-2000 IUR 

databases. 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

20 September 3, 2009 

References:

Archuleta, 1994. Melcita M. Archuleta “Toxicity of Materials used in the Manufacture

 of Lithium Batteries”. Sandia National Laboratories, 1994. Available at

http://www.osti.gov/bridge/servlets/purl/10148721-CMqxf5/native/10148721.pdf

 (accessed April 24, 2009) 

Ash, 1996. Michael and Irene Ash. Handbook of Paint and Coating Raw Materials:

Chemical Products Dictionary 

Ash, 2009. Michael and Irene Ash. Specialty Chemical Source Book 4th Addition SIR

 Publishing, Endicott NY. 2009 

Cao, 2001. Xu-Liang Cao and Jiping Zhu. “Monitoring method for airborne glymes and

 its application in fuel exhaust emission measurement” Chemosphere. Vol 45. Is.

 6-7 p. 911-917 . Abt Associates currently only has the abstract.

Cheremisinoff, 2003. Nicholas P. Cheremisinoff and Wesley L. Archer. “Ethers”,

 Industrial Solvents Handbook CRC Press, 2003 

Clariant, 2008. Clariant website. available at http://www.glymes.com (accessed August

 21, 2009) 

Clariant, 2009. Personal Communication between Terry L. Wells of Clariant Corporation 

and Eastern Research Group. June 2009. 

Cross Packaging, 2008. “Cross Packaging Company Material Safety Data Sheet”

 available at:

http://www.crossoil.com/lib/docs/packaging_msds/1Gard_DOT_3_DOT_4_BRA

KEFLUID.pdf (accessed August 21, 2009) 

ERG, 2009 “Revised Analysis of Potential Uses in the “Glyme” Chemical Category” 

memorandum from Eastern Research Group (ERG) to U.S.EPA, June, 19, 2009 

EPA, 2002. US Environmental Protection Agency “Non-confidential IUR Production

 Volume Information (1986-2002)” Available at

http://www.epa.gov/iur/tools/data/2002-vol.htm (accessed August 28, 2009) 

EPA, 2006a. US Environmental Protection Agency “1990 HPV Challenge Program List:

 Revised January 20, 2006”. 2006. Available at

http://www.epa.gov/HPV/pubs/update/hpv_1990.pdf (accessed April 24, 2009) 

EPA, 2006b. US Environmental Protection Agency “Non-confidential 2006 IUR

 Records by Chemical, including Manufacturing, Processing and Use
Abt Associates, Inc. 

21 September 3, 2009 

 Information” Available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/iursearch/index.cfm?s=chem

 (accessed August 28, 2009) 

EPA, 2007. US Environmental Protection Agency “Sponsored Chemicals: High

 Production Volume (HPV) Challenge Program”. 2007. Available at

http://www.epa.gov/HPV/pubs/update/spnchems.htm (accessed April 24, 2009) 

Federal Mogul, 2007. “Material Safety Data Sheet” available at:

http://federalmogul.com/NR/rdonlyres/010B0093-1541-43B5-A0E1-

ED20037C5F49/0/Component_B_US.pdf (accessed August 20, 2009) 

Ferro, 2009. Ferro website. Available at

http://web.archive.org/web/20071102160331/www.ferro.com/Our+Products/Fine

+Chemicals/Products+and+Markets/Glymes/ (Accessed August 19, 2009) 

Hitachi Chemical Company, 1992. “US Patent 5087658 - Heat-resistant resin paste and

 integrated circuit device produced by using the heat-resistant resin paste”

 available at http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5087658/claims.html (accessed 

August 20, 2009) 

Hitachi Chemical Company, 2006. “US Patent 7061081 - Resin composition, heat 

resistant resin paste and semiconductor device using them and method for 

manufacture thereof” available at 

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7061081/claims.html (accessed 

August 20, 2009) 

Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft, 1999, “Process for purifying inert gases: United States

 Patent 5871563” available at http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5871563.html

(accessed August 20, 2009) 

Humco, 2007. Humco Holding Group, Inc. “Patent title: Antifungal Treatment of Nails”

 2007. Available at http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20090092576 (accessed April 

4, 2009) 

LONZA AG, 1969, “Process for the production of methacrylic acid from –hydroxy

 isobutyric acid” available at http://www.wikipatents.com/gb/1080473.html

(accessed August 20, 2009 

Mochizuki, 2000. S. Mochizuki, R. L. Smith, Jr., and H. Inomata “Supercritical carbon 

 dioxide extraction of alkali metals using a fluorinated anion as a carrier”,

Chemical Communication. 2000, 1381-1382. Abt Associates currently only has

 the abstract. 

Multicore Solders Limited, 1990, “Flux composition: United States Patent 

4940498” available at http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4940498.html (accessed

 August 20, 2009 
Abt Associates, Inc. 

22 September 3, 2009 

Novolyte Technologies, 2009. Personal Communication between Joe Valcho of Novolyte 

Technologies and Eastern Research Group. June 2009. 

HSDB, 2009. National Institute of Health, United States National Library of Medicine, 

Hazardous Substance Data Bank. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgibin/sis/htmlgen?HSDB (accessed August 21, 2009) 

Schiller and Gmehling, 1992. Martin Schiller and Jurgen Gmehling “Measurement of

 Activity Coefficients at Infinite Dilution using Gas-Liquid Chromatography. 4

 Results for Alkylene Glycol Dialkyl Ethers as Stationary Phases” Journal of

 Chemical Engineering. 1992, 37, 503-8. Abt Associates currently only has the

 abstract. 

Score Card, 2005. Score Card: The Pollution Information Website. Available at

www.scorecard.org (accessed August 21, 2009) 

SRI, 2006. “Printing Inks” SRI Specialty Chemicals Program. Nov. 2006. vol 14. 

Unilever, 2007 “US Patent 7297674 - Gel laundry detergent composition” available at

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7297674/claims.html (accessed August 21,

 2009) 

Union Oil Company of California, 1972. “Preparation of aromatic acids: United States

 Patent 3700729” available at http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3700729.html

(accessed August 21, 2009) 

US Census Bureau, 2002. “Polish and other sanitation good manufacturing” available at 

http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/PQRTable?_bm=y&-ds_name=EC0200SL1&-

MFG=325612&-ib_code=31 (accessed August 21, 2009) 

USDA, 2000. Untied States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service “Industry 

Review: Semiannual Patents Review July-December 1999” 2000. Available at

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf2000/sykes00a.pdf (accessed April 

4, 2009) 

US Patent 4871109, “US Patent 4871109 - Vapor phase soldering using certain

 perfluorinated polyethers” available at 

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/4871109/description.html (accessed August

 21, 2009) 

Wagner, 1998. “Wagner Brake: MSDS-DOT 4 Brake Fluid” 

http://www.merlesauto.com/Admin/msds/DOT4.pdf (accessed August 21, 2009)
Abt Associates, Inc. 

23 September 3, 2009 

Appendix A: List of 2006 IUR Consumer and Commercial Use Categories 

Table A-1 below contains the list of 2006 IUR Consumer and Commercial Use 

Categories. Beginning 2006, sites manufacturing more than 300,000 pounds of a 

chemical during the reporting year are required to provide processing and use information 

and select from one of these categories. 

Table A-1: 2006 IUR Consumer and Commercial Use Categories 

Consumer and Commercial Use Categories 

1. Adhesives and sealants 

2. Agricultural products (non-pesticidal) 

3. Artists' supplies 

4. Automotive care products 

5. Electrical and electronic products 

6. Fabrics, textiles and apparel 

7. Glass and ceramic products 

8. Lawn and garden products (non-pesticidal) 

9. Leather products 

10. Lubricants, greases and fuel additives 

11. Metal products 

12. Paints and coatings 

13. Paper products 

14. Photographic supplies 

15. Polishes and sanitation goods 

16. Rubber and plastic products 

17. Soaps and detergents 

18. Transportation products 

19. Wood and wood furniture 

20. Other 

21. Not readily obtainable