Triethylene Glycol

1Identification

Name

Triethylene Glycol

IUPAC name

2-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol

CAS number

112-27-6

EC number

203-953-2

Molecular formula

C6H14O4

Molecular weight

150.17 g/mol

InChIKey

ZIBGPFATKBEMQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES

C(COCCOCCO)O

PubChem CID

8172

Synonyms

TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL, Triglycol, 2,2'-(Ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy))diethanol, 2,2'-Ethylenedioxydiethanol, 2-[2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol, Trigen, Triethylenglykol, Triethyleneglycol, 1,2-Bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethane, 2,2'-Ethylenedioxybis(ethanol), 3,6-Dioxaoctane-1,8-diol, 2,2'-(Ethylenedioxy)diethanol, 2,2'-Ethylenedioxyethanol, Di-beta-hydroxyethoxyethane

Recommended uses

• CIR ingredient: Triethylene Glycol
  Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
• Used as a fragrance (cosmetics), solvent (resins, pesticides, textile dyeing), humectant (printing inks and tobacco), plasticizer, and disinfectant; [HSDB]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides [Category: Clean] Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• Humectant Intermediate Processing aids, specific to petroleum production Pigment Drier Viscosity modifiers Diluent Waterproofing agent Corrosion inhibitor Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Cleaning agent Plasticizer Dehydrating agent (desiccant) Absorbent Hydraulic fluids Heat transferring agent pH regulating agent Monomers Processing aids not otherwise specified Lubricating agent Wetting agent (non-aqueous) Other Solvent
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
• Humectant Pigment Intermediate Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Diluent Hydraulic fluids Plasticizer Heat transferring agent Processing aids not otherwise specified Other Lubricating agent Solvent Insulators
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)

Use categories: EPA Safer Chemical Functional Use Classes -> Solvents · Safer Chemical Classes -> Green circle - The chemical has been verified to be of low concern · Fragrance Ingredients · Plastics -> Pigments agents

Description

• Triethylene glycol is a colorless liquid with a mild odor. Dense than water. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Triethylene glycol is a poly(ethylene glycol) that is octane-1,8-diol in which the carbon atoms at positions 3 and 6 have been replaced by oxygen atoms. It has a role as a plasticiser. It is a primary alcohol, a diol and a poly(ethylene glycol).
  ChEBI

2Hazard identification

Signal word

Warning

Pictograms

GHS07

Classification source

NITE-CMC

Precautionary statements

NFPA 704 rating

• 1 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause significant irritation.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 1 - Materials that must be preheated before ignition can occur. Materials require considerable preheating, under all ambient temperature conditions, before ignition and combustion can occur.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• 0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Health hazards

• Vapor and liquid are unlikely to cause harm. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Fire hazards

• This chemical is combustible. (NTP, 1992)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Combustible.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Hazards summary

• No listed effects of short-term or long-term exposure; [ICSC] A mild skin and eye irritant based on animal studies; [MSDSonline] See Ethylene glycols.
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases

3Composition / information on ingredients

This page describes the pure substance. Commercial products may be solutions or mixtures. Check Section 3 of your supplier's SDS for concentrations and other ingredients.

4First-aid measures

• EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
  CAMEO Chemicals

5Fire-fighting measures

• Alcohol foam, dry chemical
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

6Accidental release measures

Spill cleanup

• Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable containers as far as possible. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

7Handling and storage

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 7 of the supplier's SDS.

8Exposure controls / personal protection

No occupational exposure limits found in our sources.

Personal protective equipment

• Goggles; plastic gloves. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals

9Physical and chemical properties

10Stability and reactivity

Reactivity

• TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL is a ether-alcohol derivative. The ether being relatively unreactive. Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination of alcohols with alkali metals, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. They react with oxoacids and carboxylic acids to form esters plus water. Oxidizing agents convert alcohols to aldehydes or ketones. Alcohols exhibit both weak acid and weak base behavior. They may initiate the polymerization of isocyanates and epoxides. Reacts with strong oxidants. [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 932].
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Water soluble.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

• Can react with oxidizing materials.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Glycol ethers, glycols, ketones, and alcohols undergo violent decomposition in contact with 68-72% perchloric acid
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

11Toxicological information

Routes of exposure

• The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

12Ecological information

Environmental fate

• Triethylene glycol's production and use a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, as a solvent, plasticizer in vinyl, polyester and polyurethane resins, as a humectant in printing inks, and in the dehydration of natural gas may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams; it's use as a bacteriostat and as an inert ingredient to facilitate delivery of formulated pesticide products will result in its direct release to the environment. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 1.32X10-3 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates triethylene glycol will exist solely as a vapor in the atmosphere.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Ecotoxicity

• LC50 Menidia beryllina /(Inland silverside)/ >10,000 ppm/96 hr (static bioassay in synthetic seawater at 23 °C, mild aeration applied after 24 hr).
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• LC50 Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow) 59.9 g/L/96 hr (confidence limit 56.2 - 63.7 g/L), flow-through bioassay with measured concentrations, dissolved oxygen 7.2 mg/L, hardness 44.2 mg/L calcium carbonate, alkalinity 38.5 mg/L calcium carbonate, and pH 7.3
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• LC50 Pimephales promelas (Fathead minnow) 70.2 g/L/96 hr (confidence limit 68.6 - 71.9 g/L), flow-through bioassay with measured concentrations, 22.2 °C, dissolved oxygen 6.4 mg/L, hardness 45.0 mg/L calcium carbonate, alkalinity 37.7 mg/L calcium carbonate, and pH 7.3
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

13Disposal considerations

• SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

14Transport information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 14 of the supplier's SDS.

How DOT hazard classes work →

15Regulatory information

• This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Triethylene glycol is produced, as an intermediate or final product, by process units covered under this subpart.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Residues of triethylene glycol are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a deactivator in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops only.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• The Agency has determined triethylene glycol is eligible for reregistration. Based on the available data, the Agency has concluded that triethylene glycol exhibits low toxicity and exposures to triethylene glycol used as both an active or inert ingredient do not present risks of concern to the Agency. Therefore, no mitigation measures are necessary at this time.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Triethylene glycol is an indirect food additive for use only as a component of adhesives.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Overview of SDS regulations (OSHA HazCom, WHMIS, REACH/CLP) →

16Other information

Compiled from PubChem CID 8172 and the sources it aggregates (attributed inline). Data retrieved 2026-10-12. This summary describes the pure substance and is not a supplier SDS.