Glycol ethers are a group of organic compounds that are commonly used as solvents in various industrial and household applications. They are derived from ethylene glycol or propylene glycol and are known for their ability to dissolve a wide range of substances, making them useful in paints, coatings, and cleaning products. These compounds are characterized by their ether functional group, which gives them unique properties such as low volatility and good stability. Glycol ethers are often categorized based on their structure, with common examples including ethyl glycol ether and butyl glycol ether, each having specific uses in different formulations.