Glycerol

Glycerol
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Propane-1,2,3-triol
Other names
  • 1,2,3-Trioxypropane
  • 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
  • 1,2,3-Propanetriol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.263
E number E422 (thickeners, ...)
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C3H8O3/c4-1-3(6)2-5/h3-6H,1-2H2 Y
    Key: PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
  • InChI=1/C3H8O3/c4-1-3(6)2-5/h3-6H,1-2H2
    Key: PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYAF
  • OCC(O)CO
Properties
C3H8O3
Molar mass 92.094 g·mol−1
Appearance Colorless hygroscopic liquid
Odor Odorless
Density 1.261 g/cm3
Melting point 17.8 °C (64.0 °F; 290.9 K)
Boiling point 290 °C (554 °F; 563 K)
miscible
log P −2.32
Vapor pressure 0.003 mmHg (0.40 Pa) at 50 °C
−57.06×10−6 cm3/mol
1.4746
Viscosity 1.412 Pa·s (20 °C)
Pharmacology
A06AG04 (WHO) A06AX01 (WHO), QA16QA03 (WHO)
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
1
1
0
Flash point 160 °C (320 °F; 433 K) (closed cup)
176 °C (349 °F; 449 K) (open cup)
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
TWA 15 mg/m3 (total)
TWA 5 mg/m3 (resp)
REL (Recommended)
None established
IDLH (Immediate danger)
N.D.
Safety data sheet (SDS) JT Baker ver. 2008 archive
Supplementary data page
Glycerol (data page)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Y verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Glycerol (/ˈɡlɪsərɒl/) is a simple triol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, viscous liquid. The glycerol backbone is found in lipids known as glycerides. It is also widely used as a sweetener in the food industry and as a humectant in pharmaceutical formulations. Because of its three hydroxyl groups, glycerol is miscible with water and is hygroscopic in nature.

Modern use of the word glycerine (alternatively spelled glycerin) refers to commercial preparations of less than 100% purity, typically 95% glycerol.