Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (CAS 111-90-0) — Sweet Carrier Note Fragrance Ingredient
Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether
CAS 111-90-0
What Is Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether?
Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether is a synthetic solvent commonly found in industrial cleaners, paints, and some cosmetic formulations. It helps dissolve other ingredients and adjust product viscosity. While not a primary fragrance ingredient, it occasionally appears as a carrier solvent in perfumery where its mild properties aid in blending.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether Smell Like?
Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether has a faint, slightly sweet ether-like odor that dissipates quickly. Its scent profile is neutral and unobtrusive, making it more functional than aromatic. In formulations, it contributes minimal olfactory impact while serving as an effective solvent carrier for more volatile fragrance compounds.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOCCOCCO
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether is an ethylene glycol ether formed by the reaction of ethylene oxide with ethanol. As a synthetic compound, it’s produced through controlled etherification processes in industrial settings. Its molecular structure features two ethylene glycol units terminated with an ethyl group, giving it balanced hydrophilic-lipophilic properties.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 202 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.99 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 96 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Formulations | 5-20% | Up to 50% | Primary solvent |
| Cosmetic Carrier | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Limited fragrance use |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use as a neutral carrier solvent when ethanol sensitivity is a concern.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Milder alternative with similar solvent properties and lower irritation potential.
Higher purity grade with cosmetic applications where solvent properties are needed.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
Not evaluated by RIFM for fragrance use.
Sustainability
As a petrochemical-derived synthetic, its environmental impact stems from fossil fuel dependence in production. While biodegradable under aerobic conditions, its manufacturing carries typical hydrocarbon processing concerns. Limited fragrance use minimizes ecological footprint compared to industrial applications.
Explore Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether PubChem CID
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 111-90-0Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 134.17 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -0.5🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 202.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.13 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 96.1 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0121💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -3.873💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCOCCOCCO🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.8 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | citrussweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcoholether💻 RDKit |
| “Faint, ethereal odor with a musty undertone. Bitter taste is perceptible at concentrations above 20 ppm.”📖 Arctander | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Faint, ethereal odor with a musty undertone. Bitter taste is perceptible at concentrations above 20 ppm. This chemical is used mainly as a solvent for perfume materials, not suitable for flavors. It is considered more toxic than Ethylene glycol, and therefore banned from food flavors in most countri”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.489 ppm (n=2)📖 van Gemert |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID2021941
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 134.175 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.99 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 199.089 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -75.536 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 93.469 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.42 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 137.807 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -0.432 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | -0.412 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | -0.417 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.64 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 7.451 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.123 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 5.689 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 32.813 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 173.157 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 38.69 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 6 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 34.871 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 13.824 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
