ethylene glycol

noun

, Chemistry.

1. glycol ( def 1 ).

ethylene glycol

noun

1. another name for ethanediol

ethylene glycol

/ glī′kôl′ /

1. A poisonous, syrupy, colorless alcohol used as an antifreeze in heating and cooling systems that use water. Ethylene glycol is chemically like ethanol but has two hydroxyl (OH) groups instead of one. Also called glycol. Chemical formula: C 2 H 6 O 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of ethylene glycol¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The leaching performance of citric acid and ethylene glycol has been explored before, but that approach used more acid and a lower temperature, which proved less effective, Bai said.

From Science Daily

While, propylene glycol is non-toxic and widely used in medicines, cosmetics and food, ethylene glycol is toxic and used in paint, pens and brake fluid.

From BBC

It’s not to be confused with ethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze.

From Scientific American

The World Health Organization said last year that the India-made cough syrups contained lethal toxins ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol – commonly used in car brake fluid and other products not fit for human consumption.

From Reuters

NAFDAC, in its alert, did not give a toxicity concentration figure but said ethylene glycol was a "toxic substance that is not expected in product formulations".

From Reuters