CAC - Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether Acetate

About This Product

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, known as CAC or cellosolve acetate, has the formula C6H12O3 and CAS number 111-15-9. It is a clear colourless liquid with a mild ester odour, produced by acetylating ethylene glycol monoethyl ether. As a solvent it behaves as an acetate should: no free hydroxyl, therefore no reaction with isocyanates, low water miscibility, strong solvency for resins and a slower evaporation rate than the parent alcohol. Its regulatory position, however, follows the parent rather than the ester. Esterases in the body hydrolyse the acetate back to 2-ethoxyethanol, which is then metabolised to ethoxyacetic acid, the metabolite responsible for the reproductive and haematological effects. For that reason CAC carries the same EU classification as EE, toxic for reproduction category 1B with hazard statements H360FD, and is subject to the same restrictions. Substituting the acetate for the alcohol therefore offers no toxicological advantage, which is why both have been displaced by propylene-series acetates such as PMA in most applications. Where permitted it is used in industrial coatings, printing inks, photoresists and electronics processing, and as a chemical intermediate. Bio Green Chem supplies CAC to specification on assay, free glycol ether, acidity, water content and colour, with permitted-use status confirmed before supply.