Propylene Glycol - Assignment Example

 Propylene Glycol Abstract This paper aims at evaluating one of the organic compounds, propylene glycol. In order to attain this objective, the paper will look into the properties of this substance, its production and industrial application. The paper will describe the main effect on human and on the environment. Analysis on safe and proper utilization of the propylene glycol will also be carried out. Introduction The propylene glycol (PG) is a clear, colorless and viscous, liquid. It almost has no odor, has a little bittersweet taste, and low vapor pressure. This compound is the part of the propylene glycol family, which includes propylene glycol itself (PG), dipropylene glycol (DPG), and tripropylene glycol (TPG). PG is also known under the name 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methylene glycol, and methyl glycol. The proper IUPAC chemical name is propane-1,2-diol. Its CAS Registry Number on the U.S. EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) inventory of chemical substances is [57-55-6]. Common commercial names of this substance are Propylene Glycol Industrial (PGI) and Propylene Glycol USP (PG USP) (Martin and Murphy, 2006). The physical properties of propylene glycol are presented in the Table 1. All of the glycols are very miscible with water, ethanol, acetone and chloroform. Propylene glycol is also a hygroscopic compound (Martin and Murphy, 2006). Table 1. Properties of Propylene Glycol (Martin and Murphy, 2006) Physical properties Formula C3H8O2 molecular weight 76.1 boiling point at 101.3 kPa, °C 187.4 vapor pressure, kP, at 25°C 0.017 density, g/mL 25°C 60°C 1.032 1.006 freezing point, °C Supercools pour point, °C Read More