Educational content for trained professionals. Not a Safety Data Sheet, not medical advice. In an emergency, call your local poison control or emergency services immediately. Terms of use.

diethylene glycol

Also known as: DIETHYLENE GLYCOL · 111-46-6 · 2,2'-Oxydiethanol · 2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)ethanol

CAS No.
111-46-6
Formula
C4H10O3
Molar mass
106.12 g/mol
PubChem CID
8117
GHS pictograms
GHS pictogram: Harmful / IrritantHarmful / Irritant
GHS pictogram: Health hazardHealth hazard
2D structure of diethylene glycol
2D structure · PubChem CID 8117

Summary

diethylene glycol (C4H10O3), CAS 111-46-6. Common in labs and industry. Read on for hazards, storage, PPE and mixing rules.

Background

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Hazards

GHS pictogram: Harmful / Irritant
Harmful / Irritant (GHS07)

May cause skin, eye or respiratory irritation.

GHS pictogram: Health hazard
Health hazard (GHS08)

Serious long-term health effects (CMR, respiratory sensitizer).

Hazard statements

  • H302: Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]
  • H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child [Warning Reproductive toxicity]
  • H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

Storage

Temperature

Keep at room temperature, below 30 °C, out of direct heat.

Ventilation

Store somewhere well-ventilated and away from any ignition source.

Containers

Metal drums or tinted glass, tightly sealed.

Keep away from

Strong acids, strong bases and powerful oxidizers.

Personal protective equipment

Gloves

Nitrile or butyl, at least 0.4 mm thick.

Eye protection

Safety goggles with side shields.

Respirator

A2 organic-vapor cartridge if the room isn't well ventilated.

Occupational exposure limits (HSE)

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EU harmonised classification (ECHA C&L)

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Transport

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FDA recalls & enforcement

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Compatibilities

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Practical safety notes

  • Irritant / harmful. Ventilate the workspace and avoid skin contact.
  • Serious health hazard (carcinogen, mutagen, reprotoxic, respiratory sensitizer). Substitute if possible; otherwise closed systems and medical surveillance.

Derived from the GHS classification shown above. These notes are generic guidance and do not replace the manufacturer's SDS or your local risk assessment.

FAQ

Is diethylene glycol flammable?+

diethylene glycol (CAS 111-46-6) does not carry the GHS02 flame pictogram in our records. Always confirm with the manufacturer's SDS section 9 (flash point) before assuming a product is non-flammable.

What PPE should I wear when handling diethylene glycol?+

Safety glasses with side shields and nitrile gloves are the baseline. Work inside a fume hood or use a suitable respirator. Check SDS section 8 for material-specific breakthrough times.

How should diethylene glycol be stored?+

Store diethylene glycol (CAS 111-46-6) in tightly closed original containers, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials.

Is diethylene glycol dangerous for the environment?+

No specific environmental pictogram (GHS09) is listed in our records for diethylene glycol, but any chemical waste should be handled through your site's hazardous-waste procedure, not poured down the drain.

Where can I find the official Safety Data Sheet for diethylene glycol?+

Official, up-to-date SDS documents are published by each manufacturer (Sigma-Aldrich, Merck, Thermo Fisher, VWR, Carl Roth, etc.) and by regulators such as ECHA and NIOSH. This page is an educational summary and does not replace the manufacturer's SDS.

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