Diethylene glycol butyl ether (CAS 112-34-5)

Diethylene glycol butyl ether is an aliphatic ether compound that is frequently utilized across a broad range of industrial and commercial settings. It presents as a colorless, low viscosity liquid accompanied by a mild odor. This compound is employed for various purposes such as a solvent, emulsifier, wetting agent, surfactant, corrosion inhibitor, antifoam agent, and defoamer. It is a common constituent of numerous household and industrial cleaning products like laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and degreasers. Diethylene glycol butyl ether also finds applications in agricultural formulations, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. In scientific research, it serves as a solvent in diverse organic synthesis reactions, including the creation of polymers. It further acts as a reagent in various biochemical and physiological studies, and its surfactant properties facilitate its use in cell culture studies and in investigating protein-protein interactions. As a surfactant, it reduces the surface tension of a liquid, enabling it to interact and penetrate materials, thereby facilitating its use as a solvent, emulsifier, and wetting agent.