Diethylene Glycol

Diethylene glycol (DEG) is a liquid organic compound which is colorless, practically odorless, poisonous and hygroscopic with a sweetish taste. It is miscible in water, alcohol, ether, acetone, and ethylene glycol.

Diethylene glycol is derived as a co-product with ethylene glycol and triethylene glycol. DEG is a widely used solvent. It is used in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins, polyurethanes, and plasticizers. DEG is used as a building block in organic synthesis, e.g. of morpholine and 1, 4-dioxane.

It is a solvent for nitrocellulose, resins, dyes, oils, and other organic compounds. It is a humectant for tobacco, cork, printing ink, and glue. It is also a component in brake fluid, lubricants, wallpaper strippers, artificial fog solutions, and heating/cooking fuel.

In personal care products (e.g. skin cream and lotions, deodorants), DEG is often replaced by selected diethylene glycol ethers. A dilute solution of diethylene glycol can also be used as a cryoprotectant; however, ethylene glycol is much more commonly used. Most ethylene glycol antifreeze contains a few percent diethylene glycol, present as an inadvertent byproduct of ethylene glycol production.

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