TEDM - Triethylene Glycol Dimethyl Ether

About This Product

Triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, TEDM or triglyme, has the formula C8H18O4 and CAS number 112-49-2. It is a clear colourless liquid, fully water miscible, boiling above 210 degrees Celsius, and carries methyl caps at both ends so it is entirely aprotic. Its distinguishing property is chelation. Four ether oxygens spaced along a flexible open chain can wrap around a metal cation from several directions at once, and the strength of that interaction increases with the number of oxygens available, so triglyme binds cations considerably more strongly than diglyme and far more strongly than monoglyme. In practical terms this means it dissolves and activates salts and organometallic reagents that shorter glymes cannot, acting as an open-chain substitute for a crown ether at a fraction of the cost. Combined with a boiling point above 210 degrees it allows reactions to be run hot in a strongly solvating aprotic medium. Peroxide formation on storage applies as it does to all ethers, and regulatory classification within the glyme family varies, so destination-market status should be confirmed. It is used in organometallic and hydride chemistry, polymer synthesis, battery and electrochemical systems, gas absorption and as a high-boiling reaction solvent. Bio Green Chem supplies TEDM to specification on assay, water, peroxide value, acidity, colour and residue.