Propylene glycol

Propylene glycol – colourless organic compound, almost inodorous, transparent, viscous with poorly expressed sweet taste, also called 1,2 pro-pan-diol, propane - 1,2 diol or α-propylene glycol, to distinguish it from isomer of a propane-1,3-diol (β-propylene glycol)))))))))).

The industrial way of receiving propylene glycol occurs by a propylene oxide. Various producers use or not catalytic high-temperature process from 200 °C (392 °F) to 220 °C (428 °F) or a catalytic method which proceeds at a temperature from 150 °C (302 °F) to 180 °C (356 °F) at presence of either ion-exchange resin, or a small amount of sulphuric acid, or alkali.

Propylene glycol can be also received by processing of glycerin and the biodiesel.

Important! Buy propylene glycol only from official distributors in order to avoid a fake!

Properties of propylene glycol

Propylene glycol – the hydroscopic colourless liquid containing asymmetric carbon atom soluble in water, ethanol, diethyl alcohol, acetone and chloroform. It does not cause corrosion, possesses very low volatility and very much a hypotoxicity.

Molecular formula of propylene glycol – C3H8O2, molar weight – 76.09 grams/mol, density – 1,036 g/cm ³, melting temperature – -59 °C, 214K, -74 °F, boiling temperature – 188,2 °C, 461K, 371 °F, heat conductivity – 0,34.

Propylene glycol use

45% of the propylene glycol produced in the world are used as chemical raw materials for production of unsaturated polyester pitches. Propylene glycol, reacting with mix of unsaturated maleic anhydrides and isophthalic acid, forms copolymer. This partially unsaturated polymer is exposed to further sewing together for receiving thermoreactive plastic. Also propylene glycol reacts with propylene oxide, forming oligomers and polymers which are used for receiving polyurethane.

Use of propylene glycol is considered safe for production of food products and medicines. Food propylene glycol is used as E1520 additive which is solvent and preservative of foodstuff, and also used for tobacco products and in sterns for animals, is the main ingredient in the liquids used in electronic cigarettes. Use of propylene glycol is also possible in production of personal hygiene means and cosmetics, such as elixirs and body lotions, shampoos, emulsions, pastes, cream and lipstick.

Properties of propylene glycol to raise and lower temperature of liquids allow to use it in compositions of anti-freezing liquids for airplanes and antifreezes for cars, in air conditioning systems, ventilation and heating of premises, in cooling systems of foodstuff and other heat-exchanging equipment.

Use of propylene glycol as solvent in traditional medicine is broad. On the basis of propylene glycol peroral and injection medicines, such as Diazepam and Lorazepam are created.

Harm of propylene glycol

Food propylene glycol is recognized non-toxic and safe for use, and also the substance which is not causing serious side effects. However propylene glycol does serious harm to an organism in plasma concentration over 1 gram/litre that demands extremely high consumption of drugs on the basis of propylene glycol during rather short span. Cases of poisoning with propylene glycol are, as a rule, connected or with inappropriate intravenous administration or an accidental proglatyvaniye of a large amount of propylene glycol.

The long contact of propylene glycol with skin in essence does not cause strong irritations. Not divorced propylene glycol in water renders the minimum irritant action on eyes and sometimes leads to small transitional conjunctivitis. Steam of propylene glycol can cause irritations of eyes and upper respiratory tracts. Steam inhalation of propylene glycol does not constitute considerable danger to the person, however long inhalation of fog of propylene glycol for theatrical performances can cause irritation of respiratory tracts.

Intravenous administration in high doses of drugs which part propylene glycol is can lead to hypotension, bradycardia, anomalies of a tooth of T and the QRS complex on an ECG, arrhythmia, a cardiac standstill, to a hyper osmolarity syndrome, milk acidosis and hemolysis.

According to a research of the Swiss university concentration of platinoids, propylene glycol and ethers of glycols in air of rooms results Karlstad of 2010 in the increased risk of development of respiratory and immune disturbances. It was proved that frequent inhalation of ethers of propylene glycol is led to development of asthma, hay fever, eczema and allergy with the increased risk in the range from 50% to 180%. This concentration is connected with use of paints on a water basis and detergents which part these components are.