Cellosolve

cellosolve: see glycol.

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cellosolve [′sel·ə‚sälv]

(organic chemistry)

C₂H₅OCH₂CH₂OH An important industrial chemical used in varnish removers, in cleaning solutions, and as a solvent for paints, varnishes, and plastics. Also known as 2-ethoxyethanol.

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Cellosolve 

any of the monoethers of ethylene glycol having the general formula ROCH₂CH₂OH, where R represents a hydrocarbon radical.

The simplest cellosolves are colorless liquids that have a weak odor and are readily miscible with water and organic solvents. The boiling point of methyl cellosolve (R = CH₃) is 124.6°C; that of ethyl cellosolve (R = C₂H₅) is 135.1°C; and that of butyl cello-solve (R = C₄H₉) is 171.1°C. Like alcohols, cellosolves form a number of derivatives, including alcoholates (such as CH₃OCH₂CH₂ONa) and esters (such as ethyl cellosolve acetate, C₂H₅OCH₂CH₂OCOCH₃, which has a boiling point of 156.4°C).

Cellosolves are produced by the reaction of ethylene oxide with the corresponding alcohols. They are used as solvents of esters of cellulose (mainly cellulose nitrates and acetyl cellulose) in the manufacture of movie and photographic film, paint, varnish, and lacquers. The cellosolves of some higher alcohols (from C₁₀ to C₂₀) are used in the production of surfactants.