murphyEthoxyethanol
AKA: 2-Ethoxyethanol, 110-80-5, ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOETHYL ETHER, Ethyl cellosolve, Emkanol, Hydroxy ether, 2-Ethoxyethan-1-Ol, Dowanol EE, Ethylene glycol ethyl ether
Synthetic
Solvent
Not Clean
2-Ethoxyethanol is a diluent in colour additive mixtures for marking food. 2-Ethoxyethanol, also known by the trademark Cellosolve or ethyl cellosolve, is a solvent used widely in commercial and industrial applications. It is a clear, colorless, nearly odorless liquid that is miscible with water, ethanol, diethyl ether, acetone, and ethyl acetate. As with other glycol ethers, 2-ethoxyethanol has the useful property of being able to dissolve chemically diverse compounds. It will dissolve oils, resins, grease, waxes, nitrocellulose, and lacquers. This is an ideal property as a multi-purpose cleaner and therefore 2-ethoxyethanol is used in products such as varnish removers and degreasing solutions. 2-Ethoxyethanol belongs to the family of Primary Alcohols. These are compounds comprising the primary alcohol functional group, with the general strucuture RCOH (R=alkyl, aryl).
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 64 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C4H10O2
Mol. Weight
90.12
CAS #
110-80-5
Form
Liquid
State
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether appears as a clear colorless liquid. Flash point of 120 °F. Less dense than water. Its vapors are heavier than air.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Viscosity Controlling
Dissolves Ingredients
Controls Viscosity
Locks In Moisture
Dissolves other ingredients
Controls product thickness
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed4 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
9
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
1 study / 1 not sensitizing (CIR 286)
Eye Irritant in Testing
2 studies / 2 irritating / reactions mild to moderate (CIR 286)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
3 studies / 2 irritating / 1 not irritating / reactions slight / plus 1 case report (CIR 286)
Regulatory Agencies
🧂Conflict of interest.
Verified Jun 2026 · 🧪 = conflict
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR