Glycerol

Melting point: 20°C (lit.) Boiling point: 290°C Density: 1.25 g/mL (lit.) Vapor density: 3.1 (vs air) Vapor pressure: <1 mmHg (20°C) Refractive index: n20/D 1.474 (lit.) FEMA: 2525 | GLYCEROL Flash point: 320 °F Storage condition: Store at +5°C to +30°C. Solubility: H2O: 5 M, 20 °C, clear, colorless pKa: 14.15 (at 25℃) Form: Viscous liquid Color: APHA: ≤10 Specific gravity: 1.265 (15/15℃), 1.262 Odor: Odorless pH value: 5.5-8 (25℃, 5M in H2O) Explosion limit: 2.6-11.3% (V) Water solubility: >500 g/L (20ºC) Thermal conductivity: 0.285 W/(m·K) at 25℃ Specific heat capacity Cp(liquid): 2.38 J/(g·K), at 25℃ Sensitivity: Hygroscopic Max wavelength(λmax): λ: 260 nm Amax: 0.05 λ: 280 nm Amax: 0.04 Merck: 14,4484 JECFA Number: 909 BRN: 635685 Henry's Law Constant: 4.7×106 mol/(m3·Pa) at 25℃ Exposure limits: OSHA PEL-TWA: 15 mg/m³ (total dust), 5 mg/m³ (respirable fraction) Dielectric constant: 47.0 (Ambient) Stability: Stable. Incompatible with perchloric acid, lead oxide, acetic anhydride, nitrobenzene, chlorine, peroxides, strong acids, strong bases. Flammable. Cosmetic functions: Humectant, skin conditioning agent, denaturant, fragrance carrier, solvent, skin protectant, viscosity controlling agent, oral care ingredient, hair conditioning agent InChI: 1S/C3H8O3/c4-1-3(6)2-5/h3-6H,1-2H2 InChIKey: PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N SMILES: OCC(O)CO LogP: -2.32 Surface tension: 64 mN/m at 20°C CAS: 56-81-5

Description

Glycerol, also known as propane-1,2,3-triol, is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting viscous liquid. It is miscible with water and ethanol, and the aqueous solution is neutral. It can dissolve in ethyl acetate, slightly soluble in ether, and insoluble in benzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide, petroleum ether and oils. It is highly hygroscopic.

Applications

It can be used as water retention agent for bakery products; carrier solvent for flavors, pigments and preservatives; thickener for beverages; plasticizer for candies and desserts, and sweetener. Widely applied in textile, food, paper making, metal processing, paint, daily chemical, petrochemical, tobacco industries. It is also used as gas chromatography stationary liquid and chemical storage solution. It is an important basic organic raw material.

Production method

There are two main industrial production routes: natural glycerol derived from natural oils & fats, and synthetic glycerol from propylene.

1. Natural glycerol: recovered as by-product from saponification or oil hydrolysis. Raw materials include animal and vegetable oils. The crude glycerol will go through purification, concentration, distillation, decolorization and deodorization to get refined glycerol.
2. Synthetic glycerol: synthesized from propylene via chlorination or oxidation routes.

Safety & Storage

Keep in well-ventilated warehouse, low temperature and dry condition. Suitable extinguishing media: foam, dry powder, carbon dioxide, sand, water mist. TWA: 15 mg/m³.