Diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether (DEGEME) is an aromatic hydrocarbon that has a carbonyl group. It is used in the production of polyurethane elastomers and as a solvent for nitrocellulose and other coatings. DEGEME has been detected in the environment, food, and cosmetics at low levels. The detection sensitivity of DEGEME is very high, making it useful for detecting other substances such as glycol ethers, fatty acids, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and cross-linking agents. Diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether may be carcinogenic due to its reactive hydroxyl group and its ability to cross-link DNA.
Materials Uses
Lacking a hydroxyl group, diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether can be used as a solvent for a wide range of applications.
Synthesis
5 parts of H-type ZSM-5 (SiO2 / Al2O3 = 280), 50 parts of diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether 50 parts were charged into a reaction vessel and heated up to 180 ?? C. under stirring for 8 hours It stirred. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction solution was measured the relative amounts of products were analyzed by gas chromatography. The composition of the resulting diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether was 7.7%. Further, resulting in the product, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether and diethylene glycol diethyl ether, were contained in 3.7% and 5.2% of the composition ratio, respectively as by-products. By the diethylene glycol dimethyl ether exchange reaction together diethylene glycol monomethyl ether of the raw material, the diethylene glycol diethyl ether by ether exchange reaction together diethylene glycol monoethyl ether starting material, believed to be respectively obtained.
