Compared with ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol does have significantly different physical properties such as boiling point, melting point and density. These differences have an important impact on its application in industry.
Significant difference in physical properties
Physical properties Ethylene glycol Diethylene glycol
Boiling point Higher (about 197.3°C) Higher (about 245.7°C at 760 mmHg)
Melting point Lower (about -13°C) Also lower, but slightly higher than ethylene glycol (about -10.5°C)
Density Higher (about 1.113 g/cm³, 20°C) Similar but slightly higher (about 1.118 g/mL, 20/4°C)
Boiling point difference
The boiling point of ethylene glycol is about 197.3°C, while the boiling point of diethylene glycol is higher, about 245.7°C (at 760 mmHg). This difference makes diethylene glycol more stable and less volatile in high temperature environments.
In industrial applications, this high boiling point makes diethylene glycol an ideal choice for certain solvents or reaction media that require high temperature operations. For example, diethylene glycol can provide better stability and efficiency when synthesizing polymer materials, preparing certain chemical reagents, or conducting chemical reactions at high temperatures.
Melting point difference
Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol both have relatively low melting points, which allows them to maintain good fluidity even at low temperatures. However, diethylene glycol has a slightly higher melting point than ethylene glycol, which may make it more advantageous in certain application scenarios that require slightly higher temperatures to melt.
Although this melting point difference has a relatively small impact in actual industrial applications, it is still a factor that needs to be considered when choosing a solvent.
Density difference
Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol both have high densities, and the difference between the two is not much. This high density property allows them to dissolve and carry other substances more effectively.
In certain industrial applications that require high-density solvents to enhance dissolution or increase reaction rates, the density advantage of diethylene glycol may be reflected.
Impact in Industrial Applications
Due to the high boiling point of diethylene glycol, its stability at high temperatures and low volatility make it an ideal solvent for many high-temperature industrial processes. For example, diethylene glycol is often used as a reaction medium or solvent in the preparation of polymer materials such as polyester resins and polyurethane foams.
At the same time, the high boiling point of diethylene glycol also gives it an advantage in certain processes that require high-temperature distillation or purification.
In terms of solvent selection, in addition to considering the boiling point, other factors such as solubility, toxicity, and cost need to be considered comprehensively. Therefore, in practical applications, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol each have their own applicable scenarios and advantages.
In summary, compared with ethylene glycol, the significant differences in physical properties such as boiling point, melting point, and density of diethylene glycol have an important impact on its application in industry. These differences make diethylene glycol more advantageous in certain specific fields and processes.
