Ingredient Dictionary

BUTOXYETHYL ACETATE

2-Butoxyethyl acetate is a carboxylic ester.

Definition

2-Butoxyethyl acetate is a carboxylic ester.

US FDA substance register · UNII WK5367RE39 · registered name ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOBUTYL ETHER ACETATE · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Base that dissolves other ingredientsSOLVENTListed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCE

Safety & regulatory references

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

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Reveiw Expert Panel on the Safety Assessment of Methyl Acetate

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

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

Names & identifiers

BUTOXYETHYL ACETATEINCI부톡시에틸아세테이트Korean label name (MFDS standard)Ethanol, 2-butoxy-, acetateSynonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 112-07-2
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 203-933-3
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID1026904
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID006904

IUPAC: 2-Butoxyethyl acetate
Molecular formula: C8H16O3
Molecular weight: 160.213 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate is a colorless liquid with a weak fruity odor. Floats and mixes slowly with water. (USCG, 1999) · Liquid, CBI
Odour: Fruity · Pleasant, sweet, fruity odor
Boiling point: 378 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999) · 192 °C
Melting point: -82.3 °F (USCG, 1999) · Freezing point: -63.5 °C
Solubility: 1.5 % (NIOSH, 2024) · Soluble in hydrocarbons and organic solvents
Density: 0.942 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water, will float · Specific gravity: 0.9422 at 20 °C/20 °C
Colour: colourless
Melting/freezing point: -63.5 ℃(at 1 atm)
Initial boiling point and range: 192.3 ℃
Flash point: 78 ℃(at 1013.25hPa)
Flammability (solid, gas): not flammable
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 1.3 / 6.8 %
Vapour pressure: 0.375 ㎜Hg (20℃)
Water solubility: 1.5 g/100㎖ (20℃)
Vapour density: 5.5
Relative density: 0.94
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 1.51 (at 25℃, pH 7)
Auto-ignition temperature: 270 ℃ (at 1013.25 hPa)
Viscosity: 1.303 (20℃)
Molecular weight: 160.24

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 34 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.

Solvent16
Processing aids not otherwise specified7
Film former3
Intermediate2
Surface modifier1
Deodorizer1
Cleaning agent1
Vapor pressure modifiers1

2 other uses

Diluent1
Sealant (barrier)1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

5 skin studies and 3 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low5

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 8 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Not classified
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Not classified
Skin Irritation · Screening
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: see description below equivalent or similar to
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to EU Method B.6 (Skin Sensitisation)
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: see method description below equivalent or similar to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Not classified
Eye Irritation · Screening