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Ingredient Dictionary

BUTOXYETHANOL

2-butoxyethanol is a primary alcohol that is ethanol in which one of the methyl hydrogens is replaced by a butoxy group.

Molecular structure

Definition

2-butoxyethanol is a primary alcohol that is ethanol in which one of the methyl hydrogens is replaced by a butoxy group. A high-boiling (171C) colourless liquid, it is used as a solvent for paints and inks, as well as in some dry cleaning solutions. It has a role as a protic solvent. It is a primary alcohol and a glycol ether.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII I0P9XEZ9WV · registered name 2-BUTOXYETHANOL · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Butoxyethanol is the ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:

Cosmetic roles

Adjusts thicknessVISCOSITY CONTROLLINGListed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCEBase that dissolves other ingredientsSOLVENT

Safety & regulatory references

Restricted or banned
South Korea
Restricted
Taiwan · United Kingdom

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information · ASEAN Cosmetic Directive · EU Cosmetics Regulation · Health Canada Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist · Taiwan FDA cosmetic regulations · UK cosmetics regulations (OPSS)

Argentina · Brazil

  • Field of application and/or use : (a) solvent hair tinting products oxidizing (b) solvent hair coloring products nonoxidizing
  • Maximum concentration permitted at final product : (a) 4% (b) 2%
  • Other limitations and requirements : b) Do not use in sprayable systems (aerosols and sprays)

ASEAN

  • Field of application and/or use : (a) Solvent in oxidative hair dye products (b) Solvent in non-oxidative hair dye products
  • Maximum authorised concentration in the finished cosmetic product : (a) 4.0% (b) 2.0%
  • Other limitations and requirements : (a) No use in aerosol dispensers (sprays) (b) No use in aerosol dispensers (sprays)

Canada

  • Conditions of Use by product type : Permitted in hair dyes and nail products only.
  • Maximum Concentration Permitted : 10%

European Union

  • Product Type, body parts : a) Solvent in oxidative hair dye products b) Solvent in non-oxidative hair dye products
  • Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : a) 4.0% b) 2.0%
  • Other : (a) (b) No use in aerosol dispensers (sprays)

Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III (restricted substances), entry 188 · maximum concentration a) 4.0% b) 2.0% · applies to a) Solvent in oxidative hair dye products b) Solvent in non-oxidative hair dye products

Source: EU restricted substances (Annex III)

Restriction III/188

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Annual Review of Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Assessments - 2002/2003

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report: Amended Safety Assessment of Butoxyethanol as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Butoxyethanol

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name ブトキシエタノール: 本品は、次の化学式で表されるエーテルアルコールである。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

BUTOXYETHANOLINCI부톡시에탄올Korean label name (MFDS standard)Ethanol, 2-butoxy-SynonymブトキシエタノールJapanese labelling name
CAS No.chemical registry number
111-76-2
EC No.EU chemical inventory number
203-905-0
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
DTXSID1024097
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID
DTXCID904097
IUPAC
2-Butoxyethan-1-ol
Molecular formula
C6H14O2
Molecular weight
118.176 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether appears as a colorless liquid with a mild, pleasant odor. Less dense than water. Flash point 160 °F. Irritates skin and eyes and may be toxic by ingestion. Used as a solvent and to make paints and varnish. · Large Crystals, CBI, Gas Vapor, Liquid, Other Solid
Odour
Mild, ether-like odor · Slight, rancid odor
Boiling point
340 °F at 743 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 168.4 °C
Melting point
-94 °F (NTP, 1992) · -74.8 °C
Solubility
greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992) · Miscible with water
Density
0.902 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water, will float · 0.9015 at 20 °C
Colour
colourless
Melting/freezing point
-74.8 ℃(at 1013 hPa)
Initial boiling point and range
168.4 ℃
Flash point
63 ℃(DIN 51758 at 1013 hPa)
Evaporation rate
0.08
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits
12.7 / 1.1 %
Vapour pressure
0.88 ㎜Hg (25℃)
Water solubility
90 g/100㎖ (20 ℃)
Vapour density
4.1
Relative density
0.9
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow)
0.81 (at 20℃, pH 7 )
Auto-ignition temperature
230 ℃ (at 1013 hPa)
Viscosity
2.284
Molecular weight
118.2

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 365 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

  • Solubility enhancer208
  • Solvent69
  • Cleaning agent15
  • Processing aids not otherwise specified10
  • Surfactant (surface active agent)10
  • Degradant/impurity (EPA)8
  • Viscosity modifier5
  • Dye3
20 other uses
  • Dispersing agent3
  • Diluent3
  • Film former3
  • Pharmaceutical (EPA)3
  • UV stabilizer3
  • Intermediate2
  • Wetting agent (non-aqueous)2
  • Fragrance2
  • Deodorizer2
  • Surface modifier2
  • Drier2
  • Lubricating agent2
  • Pigment1
  • Flow promoter1
  • Plasticizer1
  • Biocide1
  • Defoamer1
  • Flavouring and nutrient1
  • Coalescing agent1
  • Chemical reaction regulator1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

9 skin studies and 6 eye studies are on record.

Classed as moderate1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 15 studies
  • Category 2
    Skin Irritation · Screening
  • Not classified
    Skin Sensitization · Screening
  • Not likely to be sensitizing
    skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
  • Category 6.3B (Category 3)
    Skin Irritation · Read Across
  • Severe Irritation
    skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: CFR title 16, section 1500.41 according to
  • Severe Irritation
    skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
  • Not likely to be sensitizing
    skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · equivalent or similar to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
  • Skin Irrit. 2
    Skin Irritation · Authoritative
  • Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 2
    Skin Irritation · Screening
  • Category 2A
    Eye Irritation · Screening
  • Severe Irritation
    eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to EU Method B.5 (Acute Toxicity: Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to EPA OPPTS 870.2400 (Acute Eye Irritation) according to
  • Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
    Eye Irritation · Read Across
  • Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2
    Eye Irritation · Screening
  • Eye Irrit. 2
    Eye Irritation · Authoritative
  • Severe Irritation
    eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Related literature

Linked databases 27

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