DM - Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether — Frequently Asked Questions

No, though its status is not entirely clear-cut. The metabolic route that makes short-chain ethylene glycol ethers problematic depends on cleavage to methoxyacetic acid, and the extended two-unit backbone is not cleaved in the same way, so DM does not carry the category 1B reproductive toxicity classification applied to EM. It is classified at a lower category in some jurisdictions and restricted in certain consumer paint strippers, so destination-market status should be confirmed.

Barely. Its boiling point is above 190 degrees Celsius and evaporation is very slow, so it behaves as a high-boiling coupling solvent rather than a flash-off solvent. In practice it stays in a system through processing and often into the finished product, which is either the intention or a constraint depending on the application.

Glycol ethers of this type give the combination a brake fluid needs: a high boiling point so the fluid does not vapour-lock under hard braking heat, low volatility, good low-temperature fluidity and compatibility with rubber seals. DM and related diethylene glycol ethers are standard components of DOT-specification glycol ether brake fluids.

Yes. Carbitol is a historic trade name for the diethylene glycol ether series, as cellosolve is for the ethylene glycol series, so methyl carbitol, DEGME and DM all refer to CAS 111-77-3. The CAS number is the reliable identifier.