Difference Between Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol

Key Difference – Ethylene Glycol vs Diethylene Glycol
 

The key difference between ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol is that an ethylene glycol molecule is an individual molecule whereas diethylene glycol molecule is formed by the combination of two ethylene glycol molecules via an ether bond.

Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol are organic compounds that have applications in the production of coolants for engines. They have closely related structures; a diethylene glycol is a combination of to ethylene glycol molecules.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ethylene Glycol
3. What is Diethylene Glycol
4. Similarities Between Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol
5. Side by Side Comparison – Ethylene Glycol vs Diethylene Glycol in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Ethylene Glycol?

Ethylene glycol is an alcohol having the chemical formulaC₂H₆O₂. The IUPAC name of this compound is ethane-1,2-diol. At room temperature and pressure, it is a colorless, odorless liquid which is sweet tasting and viscous. This liquid is moderately toxic. The molar mass of ethylene glycol is 62 g/mol. The melting point of this liquid is -12.9°C and the boiling point was 197.3°C. Ethylene glycol is miscible with water because it has -OH groups that are capable of forming hydrogen bonds.

Figure 01: Chemical Structure of Ethylene Glycol

There are two ways of producing ethylene glycol; industrial scale production and biological route for ethylene glycol production. In industrial scale production, ethylene glycol is produced from ethylene. Ethylene is converted into ethylene oxide which is then converted into ethylene glycol via reaction between ethylene oxide and water. This reaction is catalyzed by acids or bases. If the reaction is done in a medium having a neutral pH, then the reaction mixture should be provided with heat energy. The biological route of producing ethylene glycol is via the degradation of polyethylene by gut bacteria of The caterpillar of the Greater wax moth.

What is Diethylene Glycol?

Diethylene glycol is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₄H₁₀O₃. At room temperature, it is a colorless and odorless liquid. However, it is hygroscopic and poisonous. It has a sweet taste. Diethylene glycol is miscible with water and alcohols because it is capable of forming hydrogen bonds. The molar mass of this compound is 106.12 g/mol. The melting point of diethylene glycol is -10.45°C and the boiling point is 245°C.

Figure 02: Chemical Structure of Diethylene Glycol

The most common route of the production of diethylene glycol is by partial hydrolysis of ethylene oxide. ethylene is converted into ethylene oxide; thus, ethylene oxide is an intermediate. The partial hydrolysis reaction gives diethylene glycol by the combination of two ethylene glycol molecules via an ether bond.

What are the Similarities Between Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol?

• Both Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol are alcoholic compounds.
• Both are capable of forming hydrogen bonds.
• Both are colorless liquids at room temperature.

What is the Difference Between Ethylene Glycol and Diethylene Glycol?

Summary – Ethylene Glycol vs Diethylene Glycol

Both ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol are produced from same starting material; ethylene. The difference between ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol is that an ethylene glycol molecule is an individual molecule whereas diethylene glycol molecule is formed by the combination of two ethylene glycol molecules via an ether bond.

Reference:

1. “Diethylene Glycol.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Apr. 2018. Available here  
2. “Ethylene Glycol.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Apr. 2018. Available here

Image Courtesy:

1.’Ethylene glycol chemical structure’  (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia  
2.’Diethylene glycol structure’By Yikrazuul – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia 

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