1. Chemical Structure and Properties

Molecular Formula: C₄H₁₀O₂

Structural Formula: CH₃OCH₂CH(OH)CH₃ — a branched glycol ether consisting of a propylene glycol backbone with a methyl ether group and a hydroxyl group.

Physical Properties: Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with a mild ether-like odor; Boiling Point: 120–125°C; Density: 0.92–0.94 g/cm³; Vapor Pressure: ~3 mmHg at 25°C; Solubility: Miscible with water, alcohols, and most organic solvents (e.g., acetone, ethyl acetate).

Chemical Properties: Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB): ~5.0; Hydrolysis Resistance: Stable under neutral and mildly acidic/alkaline conditions; Flammability: Combustible (flash point: ~32°C).

2. Industrial Applications

Coatings & Inks: Coalescing agent in waterborne paints and latex adhesives; Solvent for UV-curable inks and epoxy resin formulations.

Electronics Manufacturing: Photoresist developer in semiconductor lithography; Flux remover for printed circuit boards.

Pharmaceuticals: Reaction medium for synthesizing heat-sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Cleaning Products: Industrial degreaser effective against oils, greases, and silicone-based contaminants.

3. Safety and Toxicology

Acute Exposure: Skin Contact: Mild irritation (rabbit skin LD₅₀ > 2,000 mg/kg); Inhalation: Respiratory irritation at ≥100 ppm (TLV-TWA: 50 ppm); Ingestion: Low acute toxicity (oral LD₅₀ rat: 3,500 mg/kg).

Chronic Effects: No teratogenicity observed in OECD 414 studies; Limited evidence of neurotoxicity at high doses.

Protection Measures: PPE: Nitrile gloves, safety goggles, local exhaust ventilation; Storage: Fireproof containers in cool, ventilated areas away from oxidizers.

4. Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

Aquatic Toxicity: LC₅₀ (fish, 96 h): > 100 mg/L; EC₅₀ (daphnia): > 50 mg/L.

Biodegradability: Readily biodegradable (OECD 301F: > 60% in 28 days); Low bioaccumulation potential (log Kow: 0.5).

Regulatory Frameworks:
  EU: REACH-registered, Not classified as hazardous under CLP.
  USA: Exempt from VOC regulations (40 CFR 51.100(s)(1)); TSCA-listed.
  China: GB 13690-2009: Classified as General Chemical (non-hazardous).

Waste Management: Incineration with energy recovery; wastewater treatment via activated sludge.

5. Case Studies and Application Insights

Case 1: Green Adhesive Production (3M, 2023): Replaced ethylene glycol ethers in medical-grade adhesives with PGME formulations, achieving 99% VOC reduction while maintaining bond strength and MDR compliance.

Case 2: Semiconductor Cleaning Efficiency (TSMC, 2022): Substituted NMP with PGME in post-etch wafer cleaning, resulting in 25% faster cycles and 50% lower solvent waste.

Comparative Analysis: PGME vs. Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (EGME):
  Pros: Lower toxicity, better biodegradability, reduced regulatory restrictions.
  Cons: Higher viscosity (5 mPa·s vs. 1.7 mPa·s) limits use in low-viscosity applications.

Specifications：

Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (PGME) is a highly effective solvent with excellent miscibility, low evaporation rate, and versatile use in coatings, cleaning products, and industrial applications, available from China Amines Co.