Propylene Glycol

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Ideally this is a vegetable glycerine mixed with grain alcohol, both of which are natural. Actually, though, it is usually a synthetic petrochem mix used as a humectant that has been known to cause allergic and toxic reactions. Avoid.

Propylene Glycol (Wikipedia)

Propylene glycol (IUPAC name: propane-1,2-diol) is a viscous, colorless liquid, which is nearly odorless but possesses a faintly sweet taste. Its chemical formula is CH3CH(OH)CH2OH. Containing two alcohol groups, it is classed as a diol. It is miscible with a broad range of solvents, including water, acetone, and chloroform. In general, glycols are non-irritating and have very low volatility.

Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol
ball-and-stick model
Space-filling model
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Propane-1,2-diol
Other names
Propylene glycol
α-Propylene glycol
1,2-Propanediol
1,2-Dihydroxypropane
Methyl ethyl glycol
Methylethylene glycol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.307 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 200-338-0
E number E1520 (additional chemicals)
KEGG
RTECS number
  • TY6300000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C3H8O2/c1-3(5)2-4/h3-5H,2H2,1H3 checkY
    Key: DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • CC(O)CO
Properties
C3H8O2
Molar mass 76.095 g·mol−1
Appearance colourless liquid
Odor odorless
Density 1.036 g/cm3
Melting point −59 °C (−74 °F; 214 K)
Boiling point 188.2 °C (370.8 °F; 461.3 K)
Miscible
Solubility in ethanol Miscible
Solubility in diethyl ether Miscible
Solubility in acetone Miscible
Solubility in chloroform Miscible
log P -1.34
Thermal conductivity 0.34 W/m-K (50% H2O @ 90 °C (194 °F))
Viscosity 0.042 Pa·s
Pharmacology
QA16QA01 (WHO)
Hazards
GHS labelling:
[?]
Preview warning: H-phrases: "" not found
[?]
Preview warning: P-phrases: "" not found
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
0
1
0
Related glycols
Ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

It is produced on a large scale primarily for the production of polymers. In the European Union, it has E-number E1520 for food applications. For cosmetics and pharmacology, the number is E490. Propylene glycol is also present in propylene glycol alginate, which is known as E405. Propylene glycol is a compound which is GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by the US Food and Drug Administration under 21 CFR x184.1666, and is also approved by the FDA for certain uses as an indirect food additive. Propylene glycol is approved and used as a vehicle for topical, oral, and some intravenous pharmaceutical preparations in the U.S. and in Europe.

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