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glycol is a poly(ethylene glycol) that is octane-1,8-diol in which the carbon atoms at positions 3 and 6 have been replaced by oxygen atoms.
How much products actually contain
No product states its amount yet.
Of the products containing it, 0 list it before the 1% line and 1 after it (usually 1% or less).
Products using this ingredient
1 of 1 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first
Definition
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glycol is a poly(ethylene glycol) that is octane-1,8-diol in which the carbon atoms at positions 3 and 6 have been replaced by oxygen atoms.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).
Source: PubChem
US FDA substance register · UNII 3P5SU53360 · registered name TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL · single chemical substance
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance
Reviewed by CIR: Final Report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Amended Safety Assessment of Triethylene Glycol and Polyethylene glycols (PEGs)-4, -6, -7, -8, -9, -10, -12, -14, -16, -18, -20, -32, -33, -40, -45, -55, -60, -75, -80, -90, -100, -135, -150, -180, -200, -220, -240, -350, -400, -450, -500, -800, -2M, -5M, -7M, -9M, -14M, -23M, -25M, -45M, -65M, -90M, -115M, -160M and -180M and any PEGs greater than or equal to 4 as used in Cosmetics
Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Triethylene Glycol and PEG-4
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name トリエチレングリコール: 本品は、グリコール（＊）の３量体である。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 112-27-6
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 203-953-2
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID4021393
- DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID
- DTXCID601393
- IUPAC
- 2,2'-[Ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy)]di(ethan-1-ol)
- Molecular formula
- C6H14O4
- Molecular weight
- 150.174 g/mol
Measured properties
- Appearance
- Triethylene glycol is a colorless liquid with a mild odor. Dense than water. (USCG, 1999) · CBI, Liquid
- Odour
- Practically odorless · odourless
- Boiling point
- 545 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 285 °C, 165 °C at 14 mm Hg
- Melting point
- 24.3 °F (NTP, 1992) · -7 °C
- Solubility
- greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992) · Miscible with alcohol, benzene, toluene, sparingly sol in ether, practically insol in petroleum ether
- Density
- 1.125 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.1274 at 15 °C/4 °C
- Viscosity
- 47.8 cP at 20 °C · 47.8 cP (@ 20 ℃)
- Colour
- colourless
- Melting/freezing point
- -7~-5 ℃
- Initial boiling point and range
- 285 ℃
- Flash point
- 165 ℃
- Flammability (solid, gas)
- combustible
- Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits
- 0.9 / 9.2 %
- Vapour pressure
- 0.00132 ㎜Hg (@ 25 ℃)
- Water solubility
- 1000000 ㎎/ℓ (@ 0 ℃)
- Vapour density
- 5.2
- Relative density
- 1.1274 (@ 15 ℃)
- n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow)
- -1.98 (est.)
- Auto-ignition temperature
- 371 ℃
- Molecular weight
- 150.20
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 67 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.
- Deodorizer13
- Solvent7
- Fragrance5
- Monomers5
- Processing aids not otherwise specified5
- Plasticizer4
- Biocide4
- Intermediate3
14 other uses
- Pigment3
- Viscosity modifier3
- Diluent2
- Hydraulic fluids2
- Solubility enhancer2
- Catalyst1
- Absorbent1
- Elasticizer1
- Wetting agent (non-aqueous)1
- Refrigerants1
- Insulators1
- Stabilizing agent1
- Dehydrating agent (desiccant)1
- Heat transferring agent1
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Triethylene Glycol and PEG-41 · 2006
- Preparation and characterization of silica based nanoclusters as reinforcement for dental applications · 2022
- Terminal Structure of Triethylene Glycol-Tethered Chains on β-Cyclodextrin-Threaded Polyrotaxanes Dominates Temperature Responsivity and Biointeractions. · 2021
- Triethylene glycol HO(CH2CH2O)3H · 2007
- Triethylene Glycol Ethers: Evaluations of In Vitro Absorption Through Human Epidermis, 21-Day Dermal Toxicity in Rabbits, and a Developmental Toxicity Screen in Rats · 1990
Linked databases 21
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Inventory (AICIS)
- ChEBI
- ChEMBL
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)
- KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- NIST Chemistry WebBook
- PubChem 2
- Tlooto literature search 2 3 4 5
- UniChem cross-reference IDs
- US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) 2 3
- US EPA CompTox dashboard 2
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS)
- US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)
- Wikidata
- Wikipedia · English · Chinese