2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME)
2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME) is listed in Annex II as a prohibited substance for cosmetic products placed on the EU market.
Chemical identity and properties

Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether
2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol is a hydroxypolyether that is the monomethyl ether derivative of diethylene glycol. It has a role as a solvent and a teratogenic agent. It is a glycol ether, a diether and a hydroxypolyether. It is functionally related to a diethylene glycol. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol
- Molecular formula
- C5H12O3
- Molecular weight
- 120.15 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 120.078644241 Da
- XLogP3
- -0.9
- Topological polar surface area
- 38.7 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 1
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 3
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:44836
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL1235250
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID3025049
- PubMed:22617435
- PubMed:21175159
- PubMed:21175157
- PubMed:20232803
- PubMed:20021058
- PubMed:19208476
- PubMed:17898459
- PubMed:16158298
- PubMed:15705492
- PubMed:15568825
- PubMed:14606891
- PubMed:12957179
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Autoignition Temperature: 465 °F (NTP, 1992) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Autoignition Temperature: 465 °F (240 °C) Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Autoignition Temperature: 215 °C Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Boiling Point: 381 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Boiling Point: 193 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Boiling Point: 193 °C Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Boiling Point: 381 °F Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Boiling Point: 194.2 °C @760 [mm Hg] Source: PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
- Color/Form: Colorless liquid Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Color/Form: Water-white liquid Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Color/Form: Light yellow clear liquid Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Density: 1.025 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Density: 1.035 g/cu cm at 20 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Density: Relative density (water = 1): 1.04 Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Density: 1.025 Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Density: 1.04 @ 20°C Source: PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
- Flash Point: 200 °F (NTP, 1992) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Flash Point: 205 °F (96 °C) (open cup) Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Flash Point: 93 °C o.c. Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Flash Point: 200 °F Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- LogP: -1.14/-0.93 (calculated) Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Melting Point: -94 °F (NTP, 1992) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Melting Point: Less than -84 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Melting Point: -94 °F Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Odor: Slight or pleasant smell /Solvents/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Odor: Ether-like odor Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Physical Description: Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. Floats and mixes with water. (USCG, 1999) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Physical Description: Liquid Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Physical Description: Colorless liquid; [Hawley] Hygroscopic; [HSDB] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Physical Description: COLOURLESS LIQUID. Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Physical Description: Colorless liquid with a sweet odor. Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Refractive Index: Index of refraction: 1.4264 at 27 °C/D Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 66 °F (NTP, 1992) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Solubility: Miscible /1X10+6 mg/L/ with water Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: Miscible with alcohol, glycerol, ether, acetone, dimethylformamide Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: Very soluble in ethanol, ethyl ether Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: SOL IN ALL PROPN IN BENZENE Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: Solubility in water: very good Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Vapor Pressure: 0.2 mmHg at 68 °F ; 0.25 mmHg at 77 °F (NTP, 1992) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Vapor Pressure: 0.25 [mmHg] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Vapor Pressure: 0.25 mm Hg at 25 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Vapor Pressure: Vapor pressure, Pa at 20 °C: 30 Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- Vapor Pressure: 0.2 mmHg Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Vapor Pressure: 0.25 [mm Hg] @25 °C Source: PAC Chemical Database, U.S. Department of Energy
- Viscosity: 3.48 mPa.s (=cPa) at 25 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Exposure Routes: The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, through the skin and by ingestion. Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
- First Aid: EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.; SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. If symptoms such as redness or irritation develop, IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital for treatment.; INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) shou Source: CAMEO Chemicals
- Signal: Danger Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- GHS Hazard Statements: H360D: May damage the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity] Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P280, P318, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
- Signal: Warning Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H312 (11%): Harmful in contact with skin [Warning Acute toxicity, dermal]; H319 (11%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H361 (93.6%): Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child [Warning Reproductive toxicity] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P264+P265, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P317, P318, P321, P337+P317, P362+P364, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 4012 reports by companies from 28 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Signal: Danger Source: NITE-CMC
- GHS Hazard Statements: H227: Combustible liquid [Warning Flammable liquids]; H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Narcotic effects]; H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity] Source: NITE-CMC
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P210, P261, P271, P280, P304+P340, P318, P319, P370+P378, P403, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
- GHS Hazard Statements: H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Narcotic effects]; H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child [Danger Reproductive toxicity]; H373: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure] Source: NITE-CMC
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P203, P260, P261, P271, P280, P304+P340, P318, P319, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
- NFPA Health Rating: 1 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, can cause significant irritation. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- NFPA Fire Rating: 2 - Materials that must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur. Materials would not under normal conditions form hazardous atmospheres with air, but under high ambient temperatures or under moderate heating could release vapor in sufficient quantities to produce hazardous atmospheres with air. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- NFPA Instability Rating: 0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 3 was calculated in fish for diethylene glycol monomethyl ether(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of -1.18 and a regression-derived equation(1). According to a classification scheme(2), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that diethylene glycol monomethyl ether is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of diethylene glycol monomethyl ether from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.6X10-11 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(2). Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 0.25 mm Hg at 25 °C(3). Aqueous screening test data suggest that biodegradation may be an important removal mechanism of diethylene glycol monomethyl ether in soil: theoretical BOD losses of 0, 21 and 66% when incubated at 20 °C for 5, 10 and 20 days, respectively, were reported(4). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that diethylene glycol monomethyl ether is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 1.6X10-11 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(2). Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions(3). According to a classification scheme(4), an estimated BCF of 3(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of -1.18(2) and a regression-derived equation(2), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Aqueous screening test data suggest that biodegradation may be an important removal mechanism of diethylene glycol monomethyl ether: theoretical BOD losses of 0, 21 and 66% when incubated at 20 °C for 5, 10 and 20 days, respectively, were reported(5). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, which has a vapor pressure of 0.25 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase diethylene glycol monomethyl ether is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 13 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 2.6X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Alcohols and ethers do not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and, therefore, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Consumer Uses: Fuel agents; Solvent; Intermediate; Hydraulic fluids Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Industry Uses: Fuel agents; Solvent; Lubricating agent; Intermediate; Hydraulic fluids; Cleaning agent; Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
- Sources/Uses: Used as a solvent for wood stains, lacquers, inks, textile dye pastes, paints, waxes, dyes, and nitrocellulose resins; Also used in brake fluid, aviation fuel anti-icing additive, and inert ingredient in pesticides; [HSDB] Used as an intermediate; [Hawley] Not produced commercially in the EU; [Glycol Ethers Online] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: Painting (Solvents) [Category: Paint]; Textiles (Printing, Dyeing, or Finishing) [Category: Industry] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: For diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 042204) ACTIVE products with label matches. /SRP: Registered for use in the U.S. but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses./ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: ... Inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops only. Use: Deactivator for formulations used before crop emerges from soil, stabilizer. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: This additive is for use in liquid hydrocarbon fuels including jet fuel, diesel fuels, marine fuels, and fuel oils for anti-microbial control of fungi and bacteria found in hydrocarbon fuel systems and/or for anti-icing control. /Phillips Fuel Additive 56 MB/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: De-icing additive for jet fuel. Solvent for paints, coatings and inks. Deactivator and stabilizer for pesticides. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: For more Uses (Complete) data for DIETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOMETHYL ETHER (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.
Additional source coverage and match status
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-09-02 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Record details
Chemical name
2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME)
Chemical / IUPAC name
2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME)
Regulatory information
CMR
| Category | Carcinogenic | Mutagenic | Reprotoxic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat. 1B | — | — | ✓ |
Key data
Inventory links for 2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME)
Related records for 2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME)
Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex II are shown as well.
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Nickel dihydroxide [1]; nickel hydroxide [2]
What Annex II means for 2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME)
2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME) is listed as a prohibited substance under Annex II of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and must not be intentionally added. Article 17 separately addresses unintended small quantities that are technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice and compatible with the Article 3 safety requirement.
Formulators must screen their ingredients and raw materials to ensure none contain this substance. Suppliers should provide documentation confirming absence when requested.
This record is linked to 1 CosIng inventory ingredient for name and identifier cross-reference. The page also surfaces 12 related annex records with overlapping identifiers, annex logic or naming patterns.
Compliance checklist
- Verify this substance is absent from all raw materials and finished formulations.
- Request absence confirmation or CoA from raw material suppliers.
- Document the screening result in the Product Information File (PIF).
- This substance has CMR classification. Review the CMR table above and verify current Annex II/III status before use.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for Annex II record 2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME)
This page summarizes one Annex II record for 2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME) from public European Commission cosmetic materials and adds linked inventory or identifier matches when available.
Use this record page to review Annex II conditions for 2-Methoxyethoxy)ethanol (Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; DEGME), but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.
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