o-Cresyl glycidyl ether (ortho-cresyl glycidyl ether, o-CGE) is a liquid aromatic organic chemical compound and chemically a glycidyl ether.[2] It has the formula C10H12O2 and the CAS Registry Number 2210-79-9.[3] It is one of a number of glycidyl ethers available commercially that are used to reduce the viscosity of epoxy resins. These are then further used in coatings, sealants, adhesives, composites and elastomers.[4]
Uses
The main use of o-CGE is to reduce the viscosity of epoxy resins.[5][6] These reduced viscosity resins may then be used to formulate coatings including UV cured versions.[7] It is a monofunctional diluent and so in polymer science terms is a chain terminator. Chain extenders (f = 2) and cross linkers (f ≥ 3) are low molecular weight di or tri-functional epoxy diluents. The use of the diluent does effect mechanical properties and microstructure of epoxy resins.[8][9] As it has glycidyl functionality, it is classed as a Reactive diluent.
Other names
o-CGE is known by a number of other names.[10][11] These include:
The material is a skin irritant and skin sensitizer. The toxicology has been reasonably well studied.[13][14][15][16] It is REACH registered and produced or imported into the European Union in quantities greater than one thousand tonnes per annum.[17]
^Howarth G.A "Synthesis of a legislation compliant corrosion protection coating system based on urethane, oxazolidine and waterborne epoxy technology" pages 23,24,39 Master of Science Thesis April 1997 Imperial College London
^US 6987144, Anderson, Lawrence G.; De Saw, Shawn A. & Hartman, Marvis E. et al., "Flexible coating compositions having improved scratch resistance, coated substrates and methods related thereto", published 2006-01-17, assigned to PPG Industries, Ohio Inc.
^WO application 2003076544, Jung, Ki Sung; Kim, Dae Kyu & Kim, Jung Wook et al., "UV-curable epoxy resin composition comprising lactone monomer", published 2003-09-18, assigned to Luvantix Co. Ltd., application discontinued outside South Korea.
