Diethylene Glycol Dibutyl Ether

Chemical properties

clear colorless to yellowish liquid

The Uses of Diethylene Glycol Dibutyl Ether

Butyl diglyme is used to extract gold from hydrochloric acid solutions containing other metals. Treatment of the diglyme extract with hydrogen or oxalic acid precipitates the ionic gold as gold powder.

The Uses of Diethylene Glycol Dibutyl Ether

Extraction of precious metalsDiethylene glycol dibutyl ether is used as a solvent in Grignard reactions. It is also used as solvents in gold refining, decorative inks for ceramics and digital inks. It finds application in electrochemistry, gas absorption, extractant and high boiling reaction medium. It is also used in fuel, lubricant, textile and medicine.

General Description

Colorless liquid. Floats on water.

Air & Water Reactions

Oxidizes readily in air to form unstable peroxides that may explode spontaneously [Bretherick, 1979 p.151-154, 164]. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Bis(2-butoxyethyl)ether may react violently with strong oxidizing agents. Incompatible with nitric acid. May form salts with strong acids and addition complexes with Lewis acids. In other reactions, which typically involve the breaking of the carbon-oxygen bond, relatively inert.

Health Hazard

May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption. Causes eye and skin irritation. Material is irritating to mucous membrane and upper respiratory tract.

Fire Hazard

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Vapor may travel considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion. Mddly toxic by skin contact. Experimental reproductive effects. A skin and eye irritant. See also GLYCOL ETHERS. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame. To fight fire, use foam or alcohol foam. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Synthesis

Into 120 g of 60% NaH and 500 ml of toluene were added dropweise 329 g of butyl bromide and 486 g of diethylene glycol butyl ether at 50 ℃. Diethylene glycol dibutyl ether was obtained by distillation (b.p.: 256 ℃. under normal pressure) from the reaction mixture. 

Purification Methods

Dibutylcarbitol is freed from peroxides by slow passage through a column of activated alumina. The eluate is then shaken with Na2CO3 (to remove any remaining acidic impurities), washed with water, and stored with CaCl2 in a dark bottle [Tuck J Chem Soc 3202 1957]. [Beilstein 1 IV 2395.]