Diethylene Glycol
The ether-linked diol supplied by Chelora Chemicals — a co-product of ethylene oxide hydration used across unsaturated polyester resins, polyurethanes and specialty solvents — exported from Indonesia as bulk liquid with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Diethylene Glycol is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as a co-product of the ethylene oxide/glycol chain, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Diethylene Glycol is a dihydroxy ether: two ethylene glycol units joined through an ether oxygen, leaving a hydroxyl group free at each end of the molecule. Those two terminal hydroxyls behave much like monoethylene glycol's own hydroxyls in esterification and polymer-forming chemistry, while the central ether linkage adds flexibility and a higher boiling point than the simpler glycol.
At room temperature it is a colourless, practically odourless, strongly hygroscopic liquid, fully miscible with water and most polar organic solvents. It is non-volatile relative to the solvents it is often blended with, which is part of why it is valued as a humectant and high-boiling solvent component.
Where it fits in the value chain
Diethylene Glycol is used directly as a flexibilising co-monomer in unsaturated polyester resin manufacture, where its ether linkage softens the cured resin network relative to one built purely on monoethylene glycol. It is also a raw material for certain polyurethane (polyester polyol) systems, a high-boiling solvent and coupling agent in printing inks, textile and paper processing, a humectant in some industrial and tobacco applications, and the feedstock for morpholine and triethylene glycol production. Historically it also saw use in natural-gas dehydration, a role now dominated by triethylene glycol.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Diethylene Glycol in industrial grade (99.5%+ purity) as bulk liquid, suited to unsaturated polyester resin, polyurethane and industrial solvent applications. The grade is supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Diethylene Glycol is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Diethylene Glycol is co-produced alongside monoethylene glycol (MEG) in the industrial hydration of ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide reacts with water in a large excess to favour the mono-adduct, monoethylene glycol, but a portion of the ethylene oxide reacts further with the MEG already formed to give diethylene glycol, and a smaller portion still reacts again to give triethylene glycol: C₂H₄O + H₂O → HOCH₂CH₂OH (MEG); HOCH₂CH₂OH + C₂H₄O → (HOCH₂CH₂)₂O (DEG).
The mixed glycol stream from the hydration reactor is purified by multi-effect evaporation to remove water, followed by vacuum fractional distillation, which separates the mixture into monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and heavier glycol fractions by their differing boiling points. The water-to-ethylene-oxide ratio used in the hydration step is the main lever producers use to control how much DEG (versus MEG) the plant yields.
Industries and processes that use it
Diethylene Glycol is consumed across unsaturated polyester resin, polyurethane and industrial solvent applications. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Unsaturated Polyester Resin Modifier
Used as a flexibilising co-monomer glycol in UPR manufacture, softening the cured resin network for coatings, laminates and gelcoats.
Polyurethane Raw Material
A diol building block in certain polyester-polyol formulations used in polyurethane foam and elastomer manufacture.
Industrial Solvent & Coupling Agent
A high-boiling, water-miscible solvent and coupling agent in printing inks, textile processing and industrial cleaning formulations.
Feedstock for Triethylene Glycol & Morpholine
Further reacted with ethylene oxide to give triethylene glycol, or dehydrated/aminated to give morpholine, a key specialty-amine intermediate.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The two terminal hydroxyl groups and the central ether linkage govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Diethylene Glycol is converted into a finished resin or intermediate.
Esterification
Each terminal hydroxyl reacts with a diacid (such as phthalic or maleic anhydride) to build ester linkages, contributing to the backbone of unsaturated polyester resins.
Further Ethoxylation
Reaction with additional ethylene oxide extends the chain further, giving triethylene glycol and, beyond that, tetraethylene glycol and higher polyglycols.
Polyurethane Chain Extension
The two hydroxyls react with isocyanate groups to build urethane linkages, contributing to certain polyester-polyol-based polyurethane systems.
Dehydration to Morpholine
Under acid catalysis and with ammonia, the molecule cyclises with loss of water to give morpholine, a heterocyclic amine used in rubber and corrosion-inhibitor chemistry.
Diethylene Glycol against other glycols we supply
Buyers sourcing diethylene glycol for resin or polyurethane chemistry often need a related glycol with a different boiling point or hydroxyl functionality. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diethylene Glycol | 111-46-6 | Ether diol (C2 glycol dimer) | The product on this page — a flexibilising co-monomer glycol for unsaturated polyester resins. |
| Triethylene Glycol | 112-27-6 | Ether diol (C2 glycol trimer) | A related, higher-boiling glycol and the standard natural-gas dehydration fluid — see its product page. |
| Mono Propylene Glycol | 57-55-6 | C3 glycol | A related glycol from propylene oxide hydration, widely used in food and pharma-grade applications — see its product page. |
| Propylene Oxide | 75-56-9 | Alkylene oxide | The epoxide precursor to propylene glycol, analogous to ethylene oxide's role in this molecule's own manufacture — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Diethylene Glycol.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Harmful if swallowed.
May cause damage to organs (kidneys) through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Combustible at elevated temperature; not classified as a flammable liquid under normal handling.
Strongly hygroscopic; absorbs moisture from air if left in open containers.
Chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses are the baseline for routine handling.
Should never be used in food, drug or cosmetic applications; industrial grade only.
Fully water-miscible; contain and absorb spills to prevent entry into drains and watercourses.
Warning — GHS07 harmful and GHS08 health hazard pictograms apply.
This compound is harmful if swallowed and may cause organ damage, particularly to the kidneys, through prolonged or repeated exposure. It should never be substituted into food-, drug- or cosmetic-grade applications; this is an industrial grade material only. It should be handled with chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection, and spills should be contained promptly given its full miscibility with water. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in tightly closed containers in a dry, ambient-temperature area, away from strong oxidising agents. Because the material is strongly hygroscopic, containers should be kept sealed between uses to avoid moisture pickup, which can affect downstream esterification stoichiometry. Re-check assay and water content on a batch held past its retest date before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Diethylene Glycol leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, colour and key physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Diethylene Glycol used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Diethylene Glycol?+
03How is Diethylene Glycol made?+
04What purity grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Diethylene Glycol hazardous?+
06Why do resin formulators blend diethylene glycol with other glycols rather than using it alone?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other glycols as well?+
Need Diethylene Glycol on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.