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Topic summary

Glycerol

Related topics
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 InfoCard100.000.263E numberE422 (thickeners, ...)
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C3H8O3/c4-1-3(6)2-5/h3-6H,1-2H2
    Key: PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • InChI=1/C3H8O3/c4-1-3(6)2-5/h3-6H,1-2H2
    Key: PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYAF
  • OCC(O)CO
Properties C3H8O3Molar mass92.094 g·mol Appearance Colorless hygroscopic liquid OdorOdorless Density1.261 g/cm Melting point17.8 °C (64.0 °F; 290.9 K) Boiling point290 °C (554 °F; 563 K) miscible log P−2.32 Vapor pressure0.003 mmHg (0.40 Pa) at 50 °C −57.06×10 cm/mol1.4746 Viscosity1.412 Pa·s (20 °C) Pharmacology A06AG04 (WHO) A06AX01 (WHO), QA16QA03 (WHO) Hazards NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
1
1
0
Flash point160 °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/m (total)
TWA 5 mg/m (resp)
REL (Recommended)
None established
IDLH (Immediate danger)
N.D. Safety data sheet (SDS) JT Baker ver. 2008 archiveSupplementary 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).
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Glycerol () is a sugar alcohol with chemical formulaC3H5(OH)3. It has three carbon atoms with one hydroxyl group on each. Glycerol is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, viscous liquid at Standard Ambient Temperature and Pressure (SATP). Because of its three hydroxyl groups, glycerol is miscible with water and is hygroscopic in nature.

The glycerol backbone is found in lipids known as glycerides, where one or more of the hydroxyl groups are esterified with fatty acids. The most abundant of glycerides are triglycerides (found in animal fats and vegetable oils), the form in which glycerol is most commonly found in nature. It is also widely used as a sweetener in the food industry and as a humectant in pharmaceutical formulations.

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

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