Glycerol CAS#56-81-5
High Solubility: Glycerol demonstrates excellent solubility in water and is fully miscible in organic solvents such as ethanol, while slightly soluble in acetone and insoluble in benzene, chloroform, and ether, supporting its wide formulation compatibility across multiple industries.
Stable pH: The aqueous solution of glycerol maintains a stable neutral pH under normal and heated conditions, showing no obvious pH fluctuation after long-term temperature exposure, presenting outstanding solution stability and chemical inertness.
Versatile Uses: It serves as a high-efficiency humectant, thickener and emollient in daily chemical formulations, a common food additive for moisturizing and anti-freezing purposes, and a fundamental synthetic intermediate for pharmaceutical and fine chemical production.
Glycerol, characterized by the molecular formula C3H8O3, presents as a colorless, odorless, and sweet-tasting viscous liquid with prominent hygroscopic properties. It exhibits infinite miscibility with water and ethanol at 25°C, partial solubility in ketone solvents, and poor solubility in most non-polar aromatic solvents. The aqueous solution of glycerol is neutral and chemically stable, resisting decomposition under conventional heating and storage conditions. The substance is non-toxic and non-corrosive, widely applied in cosmetic moisturizing systems, food processing, pharmaceutical preparation, textile lubrication, and industrial plasticizing fields.
Glycerol Chemical Properties
Melting point | 18.17 °C (lit.) |
Boiling point | 290 °C (lit.) |
Density | 1.261 g/cm3 (20 °C) |
Refractive index | 1.473-1.475 (20 °C) |
Storage temp | Store below +30°C, sealed and dry |
Solubility | Miscible with water, ethanol; slightly soluble in acetone; insoluble in benzene, chloroform, ether |
Form | Viscous Liquid |
Color | Colorless, transparent |
Odor | Odorless, sweet taste |
PH Range | 6.0 - 8.0 |
PH | 6.5-7.5 (100g/L, H2O, 20℃) |
Water Solubility | Infinite miscibility (25 º C) |
Sensitive | Hygroscopic |
Merck | 14,4589 |
BRN | 741855 |
Stability | Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids. |
CAS DataBase Reference | 56-81-5 (CAS DataBase Reference) |
NIST Chemistry Reference | Glycerol (56-81-5) |
EPA Substance Registry System | 1,2,3-Propanetriol (56-81-5) |
Safety Information
Hazard Codes | None |
Risk Statements | No risk statements for normal industrial use |
Safety Statements | 24/25- Avoid contact with skin and eyes; keep container tightly closed |
WGK Germany | 1 |
RTECS | MA8050000 |
F | 10 |
TSCA | Yes |
HS Code | 29054500 |
This compound is employed as a moisturizing agent and thickener in cosmetic and personal care products, a humectant and anti-freezing agent in food industry, and a key intermediate in pharmaceutical and organic synthesis. It also functions as a lubricant and plasticizer in plastic, textile and resin production, serves as a solvent and protective agent in biological and chemical experiments, acts as an antifreeze and scale inhibitor in industrial water treatment and oilfield chemicals. Additionally, it finds application as a surfactant auxiliary, adsorbent carrier, and raw material for producing nitroglycerin and polyether polyols, meeting diversified industrial processing and formulation requirements.
