PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND FATE CHARACTERIZATION 

Chemical Category Name 

Glycol Ethers (Glymes) 

Triethylene glycol dibutyl ether (CASRN: 63512-36-7) 

[CA Name: 5,8,11,14-Tetraoxaoctadecane] 

Pentaethylene glycol dibutyl ether (CASRN: 51105-00-1) 

[CA Name: 5,8,11,14,17,20-Hexaoxatetracosane] 

Polyethylene glycol dibutyl ether (CASRN: 31885-97-9) 

[CA Name: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-butyl-.omega.-butoxy-] 

3,6,9,12,15,18-Hexaoxaeicosane (CASRN: 23601-39-0) 

[CA Name: 3,6,9,12,15,18-Hexaoxaeicosane] 

3,6,9,12,15-Pentaoxaheptadecane (CASRN: 4353-28-0) 

[CA Name: 3,6,9,12,15-Pentaoxaheptadecane] 

Ethylene glycol diethyl ether (CASRN: 629-14-1) 

[CA Name: Ethane, 1,2-diethoxy-] 

5,8,11,14,17-Pentaoxaheneicosane (CASRN: 112-98-1) 

[CA Name: 5,8,11,14,17-Pentaoxaheneicosane] 

Triethylene glycol dimethyl ether (CASRN: 112-49-2) 

[CA Name: 2,5,8,11-Tetraoxadodecane] 

Diethylene glycol diethyl ether (CASRN: 112-36-7) 

[CA Name: Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-ethoxy-] 

Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (CASRN: 111-96-6) 

[CA Name: Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-methoxy-] 

Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (CASRN: 110-71-4) 

[CA Name: Ethane, 1,2-dimethoxy- ] 

August 2009 

Prepared by 

Exposure Assessment Branch 

Economics Exposure and Technology Division 

Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics 

Environmental Protection Agency 

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 

Washington, DC 20460-0001
Summary-Conclusion

Glycol ethers (glymes) are liquids at room temperature with moderate to high water solubility and low to high vapor 

pressure. Water solubility and vapor pressure tend to decrease with increasing chain length. The members of the 

glycol ethers (glymes) are expected to possess high mobility in soil. Volatilization is considered low to moderate 

based on the estimated Henry’s Law constants, with the expected rate of volatilization decreasing with increasing 

chain length. The rate of hydrolysis is considered negligible. The members of glycol ethers (glymes) are expected 

to have moderate persistence (P2) and low bioaccumulation potential (B1). 

1. Physical-Chemical Properties and Environmental Fate

The physical-chemical properties of glycol ethers (glymes) are summarized in Table 1a, while the environmental 

fate properties are provided in Table 1b. The chemical structures of the members of glycol ethers (glymes) category 

are provided in the Appendix. 

Physical-Chemical Properties Characterization 

Glycol ethers (glymes) are liquids at room temperature with moderate to high water solubility and low to high vapor 

pressure. Water solubility and vapor pressure tend to decrease with increasing chain length. 

 

Environmental Fate Characterization 

The members of the glycol ethers (glymes) are expected to possess high mobility in soil. Based on the results from 

a ready biodegradation test for ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-methoxy-] (CASRN 111-96-6), the members of this category 

are not expected to be readily biodegradable. Various aerobic studies for members of this category and the 

supporting chemical 2,5,8,11-tetraoxadodecane (CASRN 112-49-2) indicate that the rate of biodegradation is 

moderate. An acclimation period of up to 35 days may occur before degradation is observed. Volatilization is 

considered low to moderate based on the estimated Henry’s Law constants, with the expected rate of volatilization 

decreasing with increasing chain length. The rate of hydrolysis is considered negligible. The members of glycol 

ethers (glymes) are expected to have moderate persistence (P2) and low bioaccumulation potential (B1). 

Conclusion: Glycol ethers (glymes) are liquids at room temperature with moderate to high water solubility and low 

to high vapor pressure. Water solubility and vapor pressure tend to decrease with increasing chain length. The 

members of the glycol ethers (glymes) are expected to possess high mobility in soil. Volatilization is considered 

low to moderate based on the estimated Henry’s Law constants, with the expected rate of volatilization decreasing 

with increasing chain length. The rate of hydrolysis is considered negligible. The members of glycol ethers 

(glymes) are expected to have moderate persistence (P2) and low bioaccumulation potential (B1)
Table 1a. Physical-Chemical Properties of Glycol Ethers (Glymes) 

Chemical Name CASRN Molecular 

Weight 

Physical State Melting Point Boiling Point Vapor 

Pressure 

Water Solubility 

DissociatiConstant (pKa) 

Sponsored Chemicals Ethane, 1,2-dimethoxy-1 110-71-4 90.12 Liquid -58oC 

(measured) 

85oC (measured) 

48 mm Hg at 20oC (measured) 

1×106 mg/L at 

20oC (miscible) (measured) 

Not applic

Ethane, 1,2-diethoxy-1 629-14-1 118.8 Liquid -74oC 

(measured) 

119.4oC (measured) 

33.7 mm Hg at 25oC (measured) 

8.37×104 mg/L at 25oC (miscible) (measured) 

Not applic

Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-methoxy-3

111-96-6 134.18 Liquid -68oC 

(measured) 

162oC (measured) 

2.96 mm Hg at 25oC (measured) 

>1×106 mg/L 

at 25oC (miscible) (measured) 

Not applic

Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-ethoxy-1

112-36-7 162.23 Liquid -45oC 

(measured) 

188oC (measured) 

0.521 mm Hg at 25oC (measured) 

1×106 mg/L at 

20oC (miscible) (measured) 

Not applic

3,6,9,12,15-Pentaoxaheptadecane 4353-28-0 250.34 No data No data 296oC (estimated) 2.1×10-3 mm Hg at 25oC 

(estimated) 

2.6×104 mg/L 

at 25oC (estimated) 

Not applic

5,8,11,14-Tetraoxa-octadecane1 63512-36-7 262.39 No data No data 310oC (estimated) 9.3×10-4 mm Hg at 25oC 

(estimated) 

270 mg/L at 25oC (estimated) 

Not applic

3,6,9,12,15,18-Hexaoxaeicosane1 23601-39-0 294.39 No data No data 340oC (estimated) 1.1×10-4 mm Hg at 25oC 

(estimated) 

2.5×104 mg/L 

at 25oC (estimated) 

Not applic

5,8,11,14,17-Pentaoxaheneicosane1 112-98-1 306.45 No data No data 350oC (estimated) 5.8×10-5 mm Hg at 25oC 

(estimated) 

260 mg/L at 25oC (estimated) 

Not applic

5,8,11,14,17, 20-Hexaoxa-tetracosane1 51105-00-1 350.50 No data No data 380oC (estimated) 4.8×10-6 mm Hg at 25oC 

(estimated) 

240 mg/L at 25oC (estimated) 

Not applic

Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-butyl-.omega.-butoxy-1

31885-97-9 >300 Liquid -44oC 

(MW~300)4

>300oC (MW~300)4

9.3×10-4 to 

4.8×10-6mm Hg at 25oC (estimated)2,5

240–270 mg/L at 25oC (estimated)2,5

Not applic
Table 1a. Physical-Chemical Properties of Glycol Ethers (Glymes) 

Chemical Name CASRN Molecular 

Weight 

Physical State Melting Point Boiling Point Vapor 

Pressure 

Water Solubility 

DissociatiConstant (pKa) 

2,5,8,11-Tetraoxadodecane1 112-49-2 178.23 Liquid -45oC (measured) 216oC (measured) 4.03×10-2 mm Hg at 25oC 

(measured) 

1×106 mg/L at 

25oC (miscible) (estimated)2

Not applic

1SRC. 2009. The Physical Properties Database (PHYSPROP). SRC: Syracuse, NY. Available from http://www.srcinc.com/what-we-do/free-demos.aspx as of 2U.S. EPA. 2009. Estimation Programs Interface SuiteTM for Microsoft® Windows, v4.00. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA. A

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/exposure/pubs/episuitedl.htm as of July 13, 2009. 

3Ferro Corporation. January 12, 2004. Revised Roust Summary and Test Plan for Diglyme. Available from: http://epa.gov/chemrtk/pubs/summaries/diglyme/c4Clariant. Ethylene glycol dibutyl ethers (butyl glymes). Available from: http://www.glymes.com/businesses/glymes/internet.nsf/vwWebPagesByID/951BA3D

of July 10, 2009. 

5Estimations based on commercial polymer Polyglycol BB 300 (n = 3–5). 
Table 1b. Environmental Fate Characteristics of Glycol Ethers (Glymes) 

Chemical Name CASRN Photodegradation Half-life2,3 Hydrolysis Half-life Biodegradation Bioaccumula- tion Factor2 Log Koc2 Fugacity (Level III 

Model)2 Air (%) Water (%) Soil (%)  Sediment (%) 

Sponsored Chemicals Ethane, 1,2-dimethoxy- 110-71-4 4.7 hours 

(estimated) 

Stable No data BAF = 0.94 

(estimated) 

0.38 (estimated) 1.3 

46 53 <0.1 

Ethane, 1,2-diethoxy- 629-14-1 2.2 hours 

(estimated) 

Stable 70% after 8 days 

in river water, ~35 day acclimation period;4

0.10 g/g 10-day BOD4

BAF = 1.3 (estimated) 

0.90 (estimated) 1.1 

43 56 <0.1 

Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-methoxy111-96-6 7.3 hours (estimated) Stable 0.1% after 5 days (OECD 301D) 

(not readily biodegradable)5; 

0% after 28 days (OECD 301C) (not readily biodegradable)6; 31–42% after 28 days (OECD 302B) (not inherently biodegradable); Not detected after 51-week SAGAL continuous reactor test; 37.0% removal after 33-week batch culture test7; 

33% after 25 days, 7 day lag period in activated sludge4

BAF = 0.92 (estimated) 

0.29 (estimated)2 0.505 

60.4 38.9 0.113 

Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-ethoxy-2

112-36-7 4.8 hours 

(estimated) 

Stable 21.7% after 33 

week batch culture test4; 0.10 g/g 10-day BOD (4.2% thBOD) at 20oC4

BAF = 1.1 (estimated) 

1.0 (estimated) 0.8 

37 62 <0.1 
Table 1b. Environmental Fate Characteristics of Glycol Ethers (Glymes) 

Chemical Name CASRN Photodegradation Half-life2,3 Hydrolysis Half-life Biodegradation Bioaccumula- tion Factor2 Log Koc2 Fugacity (Level III 

Model)2 Air (%) Water (%) Soil (%)  Sediment (%) 

3,6,9,12,15-Pentaoxaheptadecane 4353-28-0 1.9 hours (estimated) Stable No data BAF = 0.95 (estimated) 1.0 (estimated) <0.1 35 

65 <0.1 

5,8,11,14-Tetraoxaoctadecane 63512-36-7 1.9 hours (estimated) Stable No data BAF = 13 (estimated) 1.8 (estimated) <0.1 21 

79 0.089 

3,6,9,12,15,18-Hexaoxaeicosane 23601-39-0 1.6 hours (estimated) Stable No data BAF = 0.92 (estimated) 1.0 (estimated) <0.1 35 

65 0.084 

5,8,11,14,17-Pentaoxaheneicosane 112-98-1 1.6 hours (estimated) Stable No data BAF = 7.4 (estimated) 1.7 (estimated) <0.1 22 

78 0.084 

5,8,11,14,17, 20-Hexaoxa-tetracosane 51105-00-1 1.4 hours (estimated) Stable No data BAF = 4.3 (estimated) 1.6 (estimated) <0.1 23 

77 <0.1 

Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-butyl-.omega.-butoxy31885-97-9 1.4–1.9 hours (estimated)2,8 Stable 10.8% after 14 days in activated sludge inoculum 

(MW ~1,500) Aerobic study9

BAF = 4.3–13 (estimated) 2,8

1.6–1.8 (estimated)1,8

<0.1 21-23 77-79 <0.1 
Table 1b. Environmental Fate Characteristics of Glycol Ethers (Glymes) 

Chemical Name CASRN Photodegradation Half-life2,3 Hydrolysis Half-life Biodegradation Bioaccumula- tion Factor2 Log Koc2 Fugacity (Level III 

Model)2 Air (%) Water (%) Soil (%)  Sediment (%) 

2,5,8,11-Tetraoxadodecane 112-49-2 2.9 hours (estimated) Stable Slight disappearance 

after 51 weeks in SAGAL continuous reactor with activated sludge; <10.6% degradation after 33 week batch culture7; 

94% after 28 days (readily biodegradable) (measured for tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether [CASRN 23783-42-8])6

BAF = 0.90 (estimated) 

1.0 (estimated) <0.1 

31 69 <0.1 

1Federal Register. 1999. Category for Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic New Chemical Substances. Federal Register 64, Number 213 (November 4, 1992U.S. EPA. 2009. Estimation Programs Interface SuiteTM for Microsoft® Windows, v4.00. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA. A

http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/exposure/pubs/episuitedl.htm as of July 13, 2009. 3SRC. 2009. The Physical Properties Database (PHYSPROP). SRC: Syracuse, NY. Available from http://www.srcinc.com/what-we-do/free-demos.aspx as of 

4HSDB. 2009. Hazardous Substance Databank. National Library of Medicine. Database query available at: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?HSD5Ferro Corporation. January 12, 2004. Revised Roust Summary and Test Plan for Diglyme. Available from: http://epa.gov/chemrtk/pubs/summaries/diglyme/c6National Institute of Technology and Evaluation. 2002. Biodegradation and Bioaccumulation of the Existing Chemical Substances under the Chemical Substa

http://www.safe.nite.go.jp/english/kizon/KIZON_start_hazkizon.html as of July 13, 2009. 7Cowan RM, Kwon J. 1999. Aerobic biodegradation of ethylene glycol ether. In: Hazardous Industrial Wastes, 31st, Technomic Publishing Co, Inc. pp. 273-2

8Estimations based on commercial polymer Polyglycol BB 300 (n = 3–5). 9Kawai, F. 1994. Biodegradation of polyethers and polyacrylate. In: Stud Polym Sci 12 (Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers). pp. 24-38. 
APPENDIX

Typical Constituents of Glycol Ethers (Glymes) 

Sponsored Chemical 

Name 

CASRN Structure 

Ethane, 1,2-dimethoxy110-71-4 O

O

CH3

H3C

Ethane, 1,2-diethoxy- 629-14-1 O

H3C O

CH3

Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-

methoxy111-96-6 

O

O

H3C

O

CH3

Ethane, 1,1'-oxybis[2-

ethoxy112-36-7 O

H3C O CH O 3

5,8,11,14-Tetraoxaoctadecane 63512-36-7 

O

O

O

O

H3C

3,6,9,12,15-Pentaoxaheptadecane 4353-28-0 O

O

O

H3C O O

5,8,11,14,17-Pentaoxaheneicosane 112-98-1 

H3C O

O

O

O

3,6,9,12,15,18-Hexaoxaeicosane 23601-39-0 O

O

O

H3C O O

5,8,11,14,17,20-Hexaoxatetracosane 51105-00-1 

O

O

O

O O

H3C O

Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-butyl-

.omega.-butoxy31885-97-9 

H3C O O CH3

n

 2,5,8,11-Tetraoxadodecane 112-49-2 O

O

O

H3C O

C