Ropylen e glycol(IUPAC name:propane-1,2-diol) is a viscous, colorless liquid, which is nearly odorless but possesses a faintly sweet taste. Industrially, propylen e glycol is mainly produced frompropylen e oxide(for food-grade use).
Forty-five percent of propylen e glycol produced is used as a chemical feedstock for the production of unsaturatedpolyester resins. In this regard, propylen e glycol reacts with a mixture of unsaturatedmaleic anhydrid eandisophthalic acidto give acopolymer. This partially unsaturated polymer undergoes furthercrosslinkingto yieldthermoset plastics. Related to this application, propylen e glycol reacts with propylen e oxide to give oligomers and polymers that are used to producepolyurethanes.Propylen e glycol is used in water-based acrylic architectural paints to extend dry time which it accomplishes by preventing the surface from drying due to its slower evaporation rate compared to water.
Propylen e glycol is also used in various edible items such as coffee-based drinks,liquid sweeteners, ice cream, whipped dairy products and soda.Vaporizersused for delivery of pharmaceuticals or personal-care products often include propylen e glycol among the ingredients.In alcohol-based hand sanitizers, it is used as a humectant to prevent the skin from drying.Propylen e glycol is used as asolventin manypharmaceuticals, includingoral,injectable, andtopicalformulations. Many pharmaceutical drugs which areinsolublein water utilize propylen e glycol as a solvent and carrier; benzodiazepin e tablets are one example.Propylen e glycol is also used as a solvent and carrier for many pharmaceuticalcapsulepreparations. Additionally, certain formulations ofartificial tearsuse propylen e glycol as an ingredient.