3344. Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether

Nomenclature

CAS number: 34590-94-8
1(or 2)-(2-Methoxymethylethoxy)propanol; DPGME; DPM; Arcosolv DPM (Arco); Dowanol DPM (Dow); Poly-Solv DPM (Olin).
C7H16O3; mol wt 148.20.
C 56.73%, H 10.88%, O 32.39%.

Description and references

Commercial product, prepd from propylene oxide and methanol, may consist of as many as four structural isomers. Prepn of major isomer, 1-(2-methoxy-1-methylethoxy)-2-propanol, depicted below: A. R. Sexton, E. C. Britton, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 75, 4357 (1953). GC determn in urine: B. Hubner et al., Fresenius J. Anal. Chem. 342, 746 (1992). Toxicity studies: H. F. Smyth, Jr. et al., Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 23, 95 (1962); T. D. Landry, B. L. Yano, Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 4, 612 (1984). Review of toxicology: Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology vol. 2D, G. D. Clayton, F. E. Clayton, Eds. (Wiley-Interscience, New York, 4th ed., 1994) pp 2882-2886; G. Johansson, NEG and NIOSH Basis for an Occupational Health Standard: Propylene Glycol Ethers and Their Acetates (PB91-220749, 1991) 47 pp.

Chemical structure

Properties

Colorless liquid. bp760 189.6°. fp -80°. d425 0.948. nD25 1.419. Flash pt, open cup: 185°F. Vapor pressure at 25°: 0.41 mm Hg. Misc with water, benzene. LD50 orally in rats, dermally in rabbits: 5.66, 10.0 (ml/kg) (Smyth).

Caution

Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, nose, throat; weakness, lightheadedness, headache. See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 122.

Use

As solvent for automotive fluids, cleaners, dyes, coatings, inks, waxes, adhesives, agricultural products, insect repellents, and cosmetics; chemical intermediate.