Product Safety Assessment Dipropylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether

Product Safety Assessment 

Dipropylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether 

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Names 

Product Overview 

Manufacture of Product 

Product Description 

Product Uses 

Exposure Potential 

Health Information 

Environmental Information 

Physical Hazard Information 

Regulatory Information 

Additional Information 

References 

Names 

• CAS No. 29911-28-2 (major isomer) • 1-(2-Butoxy-1-propoxy)-2-propanol 

• Dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether • N-Butoxy-propoxy-propanol 

• DPnB • 1-(2-Butoxy-1-propoxy)propan-2-ol 

• 1-(2-Butoxy-1-methylethoxy)propan-2-ol • DOWANOL DPnB glycol ether 

Product Overview 

• Dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (DPnB) is a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. DPnB 

evaporates slowly and doesn’t mix well with water. The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") 

manufactures DPnB and other propylene oxide-based glycol ethers under the trade name 

DOWANOL TM glycol ethers. 1 For further details, see Product Description. 

• DPnB is used in household and industrial cleaning formulations. It is also used as a solvent, 

chemical intermediate, coalescing agent, and coupling agent. 2 For further details, see 

Product Uses. 

• DPnB is formulated into a broad range of products, making consumer contact possible. 

Exposure to DPnB could also occur in the workplace. 3 For further details, see Exposure 

Potential. 

• Eye contact with liquid DPnB may cause slight irritation and slight corneal injury. Prolonged 

skin contact may cause slight irritation and local redness, but is not likely to result in 

absorption of harmful amounts. Prolonged inhalation of DPnB is not likely to cause adverse 

effects. 4 For further details, see Health Information. 

• DPnB is stable under recommended storage conditions. DPnB is incompatible with strong 

acids, strong bases, and strong oxidizers, Contact should be avoided. 5 For further details, 

see Physical Hazard Information. 

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Manufacture of Product 6 

• Capacity – Western Europe is the largest producer and consumer of propylene oxide-based 

glycol ethers. Dow produces both ethylene oxide- and propylene oxide-based glycol ethers in 

the United States at facilities in Midland, Michigan and Plaquemine, Louisiana; 

these products are also produced by a Dow subsidiary in Europe at the Stade, Germany site. 

Union Carbide Corporation ("UCC"), also a Dow subsidiary, manufactures glycol ethers in 

Taft, Louisiana, and Seadrift, Texas. The estimated 2007 U.S. production capacity for 

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Created: April 15, 2008 The Dow Chemical Company Page 1 of 6

Product Safety Assessment: Dipropylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether 

propylene oxide-based glycol ethers including DPnB is 191,000 metric tons (420 million 

pounds). 

• Process – Propylene glycol ethers are manufactured in closed, continuous systems. DPnB is 

manufactured by reacting propylene oxide with n-butyl alcohol as shown below. 

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CH3 

CH3 CH3 

C4H9 OH + 2 H2C 

O 

CH 

C4H9 OCH2CH O CH2CH OH 

n-Butyl alcohol Propylene 

oxide 

Dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether 

Product Description 7,8,9 

Dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (DPnB) is a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. It evaporates 

slowly and does not mix well with water. DPnB is a propylene oxide-based, or P-series, glycol 

ether. DPnB is a mixture of four isomers. (Isomers are molecules with the same chemical formula 

but different structures.) Dow manufactures DPnB and other P-series glycol ethers under the 

trade name DOWANOL glycol ethers. 

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Product Uses 10,11,12,13,14 

DPnB is widely used for industrial and 

residential applications, such as: 

• Cleaning formulations – acts as a 

coupling agent and solvent in 

household and industrial cleaners 

such as all-purpose, kitchen, and 

bathroom cleaners; grease and paint 

removers; hard-surface cleaners; and 

laundry pre-wash stain removers 

• Surface coatings – architectural, 

automotive refinishes and topcoats, 

and industrial maintenance coatings 

for corrosion control 

• Coalescing agent – latex coatings 

Primary U.S. Uses for DPnB 14 

Created: April 15, 2008 The Dow Chemical Company Page 2 of 6 

Inks 

5% 

Cleaners 

85% 

Surface 

coatings 

10% 

• Chemical intermediate – for the production of epoxides, acid ester derivatives, solvents, and 

plasticizers 

• Coupling agent and solvent – water-reducible and solvent-based coatings 

• Inks 

• Cosmetics 

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Exposure Potential 

DPnB is used in the production of industrial and consumer products. Based on the uses for DPnB, 

the public could be exposed through: 

• Workplace exposure 15,16 – Exposure can occur either in a DPnB manufacturing facility or in 

the various industrial or manufacturing facilities that use DPnB. Those working with DPnB in 

manufacturing operations could be exposed during maintenance, sampling, testing, or other 

procedures. Each manufacturing facility should have a thorough training program for 

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employees and appropriate work processes, ventilation, and safety equipment in place to 

limit unnecessary exposure. See Health Information. 

• Consumer exposure to products containing DPnB 17 – Dow does not sell DPnB for direct 

consumer use, however, consumers can be exposed through the use of home cleaning 

products, paint removers, or other products containing DPnB. The typical DPnB 

concentration in cleaners is 2 to 10%. See Health Information. 

• Environmental releases 18 – In the event of a spill, the focus is on containing the spill to 

prevent contamination of soil, ditches, sewers, waterways, or groundwater. For small spills, 

DPnB should be absorbed with sand or vermiculite. Collect the material in suitable and 

properly labeled containers. See Environmental Information, Health Information, and Physical 

Hazard Information. 

• Large release – Industrial spills or releases are infrequent and generally contained. If a large 

spill does occur, contain spilled material if possible. Pump into suitable and properly labeled 

containers using appropriate safety equipment. 

• In case of fire – Keep people away and deny unnecessary entry. Wear positive-pressure, 

self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective fire-fighting clothing or fight the fire 

from a safe distance. Consider the use of unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Do not 

use a direct water stream (may spread fire). Use water fog or fine spray, carbon-dioxide or 

dry-chemical extinguishers, or foam. Follow emergency procedures carefully. See 

Environmental Information, Health Information, and Physical Hazard Information. 

For more information, see the relevant Safety Data Sheet. 

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Health Information 19 

Eye contact with liquid DPnB may cause slight irritation and corneal injury. Prolonged skin contact 

may cause slight irritation but is not likely to result in absorption of harmful amounts. Prolonged 

inhalation of DPnB is not likely to cause adverse effects. DPnB was not a skin sensitizer in 

animals or humans. 

DPnB has low toxicity if swallowed. Swallowing small amounts incidental to normal handling is 

unlikely to cause injury. However, swallowing larger amounts may cause injury. Significant 

effects are not expected following acute or prolonged inhalation of vapor or aerosol exposures. 

DPnB does not cause fetal toxicity, birth defects or reproductive effects. Genetic toxicity studies 

were also negative. 


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Environmental Information 20 

DPnB is not likely to accumulate in the food chain (bioconcentration potential is low) and is readily 

biodegradable. DPnB is practically nontoxic to aquatic organisms on an acute basis. 


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Physical Hazard Information 21 

DPnB is stable under recommended storage conditions. It should be stored in carbon steel, 

stainless steel, or phenolic-lined steel drums. Do not store in aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, 

or galvanized iron. DPnB can oxidize (decompose) at elevated temperatures. Generation of gas 

during decomposition can cause pressure build-up in closed systems. Decomposition products 



depend on temperature, air supply, and the presence of other materials, but can include 

aldehydes, ketones, and organic acids. 

DPnB is incompatible with strong acids, strong bases, and strong oxidizers. Avoid contact with 

these materials. 

During a fire, smoke may contain the original material in addition to varying compositions of toxic 

or irritating combustion products. Combustion products may include and are not limited to carbon 

monoxide and carbon dioxide. Violent steam generation or eruption may occur upon application 

of direct water stream to hot liquids. 


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Regulatory Information 

Regulations may exist that govern the manufacture, sale, transportation, use, and/or disposal of 

DPnB. These regulations may vary by city, state, country, or geographic region. Information may 

be found by consulting the relevant Safety Data Sheet, Technical Data Sheet, or Contact Us. 

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Additional Information 

• Safety Data Sheet (http://www.dow.com/webapps/msds/msdssearch.asp) 

• Contact Us (http://www.dow.com/oxysolvents/contact/index.htm) 

• DOWANOL DPnB Product Information Datasheet, The Dow Chemical Company, Form No. 

110-00620-0304, March, 2004 

(http://www.dow.com/PublishedLiterature/dh_0077/0901b80380077476.pdf?filepath=oxysolv 

ents/pdfs/noreg/110-00620.pdf&fromPage=GetDoc) 

• Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) Initial Assessment Report for SIAM 17 – Propylene 

Glycol Ethers, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Arona, Italy, 

November 11–14, 2003 (http://www.inchem.org/documents/sids/sids/pges.pdf) 

• Chinn, Henry, “Glycol Ethers,” Marketing Research Report: Chemical Economics Handbook, 

SRI Consulting, July 2004 

For more business information about DPnB, visit Dow’s Oxygenated Solvents web site. 

(http://www.dow.com/oxysolvents/index.htm or www.dowanol.com) 

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References 

® 

Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow 

1 TM 

DOWANOL DPnB Glycol Ether High Purity Grade Material Safety Data Sheet, The Dow 

Chemical Company, ID No. 1007672/0000, Version 1.1, July 6, 2007, pages 1 and 4. 

2 

DOWANOL DPnB Product Information Datasheet, The Dow Chemical Company, Form No. 110- 

00620-0304, March, 2004, pages 1–2. 

3 


Chemical Company, ID No. 1007672/0000, Version 1.1, July 6, 2007, pages 3–4. 

4 


Chemical Company, ID No. 1007672/0000, Version 1.1, July 6, 2007, pages 1–2 and 4–5. 

5 


Chemical Company, ID No. 1007672/0000, Version 1.1, July 6, 2007, page 4. 

6 

Chinn, Henry, “Glycol Ethers,” Marketing Research Report: Chemical Economics Handbook, 

SRI Consulting, July 2004, pages 5, 15, 18, 27, and 29. 



7 

Dow Oxygenated Solvents website: P-Series Glycol Ethers. 

(http://www.dow.com/oxysolvents/prod/pseries.htm) 

8 TM 


Chemical Company, ID No. 1007672/0000, Version 1.1, July 6, 2007, pages 1 and 4. 

9 

“Propylene Glycol Ethers,” SIDS Initial Assessment Report for 17 SIAM, Organisation for 

Economic Co-operation and Development, November 11–14, 2003, Arona, Italy, page 8. 

10 

Dow Oxygenated Solvents website: Applications Center, 

(http://www.dow.com/oxysolvents/app/index.htm) 

11 

DOWANOL DPnB Product Information Datasheet, The Dow Chemical Company, Form No. 

110-00620-0304, March, 2004, pages 1–2. 

12 

Chinn, Henry, “Glycol Ethers,” Marketing Research Report: Chemical Economics Handbook, 

SRI Consulting, July 2004, page 55. 

13 


Economic Co-operation and Development, November 11–14, 2003, Arona, Italy, pages 12–14. 

14 

Estimates by The Dow Chemical Company. 

15 


Economic Co-operation and Development, November 11–14, 2003, Arona, Italy, pages 6, 17 

and 18. 

16 



17 


Economic Co-operation and Development, November 11–14, 2003, Arona, Italy, pages 6, 14, 

17, and 18. 

18 



19 


Chemical Company, ID No. 1007672/0000, Version 1.1, July 6, 2007, pages 1–2 and 4–5. 

20 TM 


Chemical Company, ID No. 1007672/0000, Version 1.1, July 6, 2007, page 5. 

21 



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Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow 

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assessments for its products globally. This product safety assessment is intended to give general 

information about the chemical (or categories of chemicals) addressed. It is not intended to 

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through the relevant Safety Data Sheet, which should be consulted before use of the chemical. 

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Form No. 233-00410-MM-0408

Product Safety Assessment Dipropylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether

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