- Appearance: Liquid
- Formula: C3H5(OH)3
- Melting point:18 (degrees Celcius)
- Boiling point:290 (degrees Celcius)
- Density:1.26g/cm3
- CAS No.: 58-81-5
Glycerol is a simple polyol (sugar and alcohol) compound. A colourless and odourless viscous liquid, glycerine is sweet tasting and water soluble.
Uses of Glycerol
Glycerol has many industrial and pharmaceutical applications, often as a common ingredient in many medical suppositories and oral capsules. It is usually considered safe for human consumption, and used in the food industry as an ingredient in food and beverages.Glycerine is used as a means of improving smoothness to products which humans may ingest, such as cough syrups, lubricants, toothpastes and mouth washes.
Trusted Glycerine Manufacturers
Here at ReAgent, we supply glycerine in 500 ml, 2.5L and 25L containers, as well as 200L drums and 1000L IBC, with discounts available for some options. We also offer extra services like personalised labelling and custom packaging. Simply contact us for more information.
Glycerol Production Methods
The gylcerin compound can be produced by two ways: from fats and oils or by following a completely synthetic pathway.
1. From oils and fatsFrom a chemical point of view, triglycerides are esters of glycerol and its hydrolysis produces free glycerol. This is known as saponification reaction and it's used in the manufacture of soap. The same reaction is also used in the production of biodiesel by transesterification. As a result, the glycerol produced in this manner is often very crude and dark with a syrup-like consistency. This is usually a cheap by-product, purification of which is expensive to achieve.
2. Synthetic glycerolSynthetic glycerol is obtained from other pathways not involving triglycerides; typically propylene. In this process, propylene is chlorinated to generate allyl chloride, which is subsequently oxidised in the presence of hypochlorite to produce dichlorohydrins. This is then reacted with a strong base resulting in epichlorohydrin, which is finally is hydrolysed to synthesise glycerol.
