1,3-Propanediol is the organic compound with the formula . This 3-carbon diol is a colorless viscous liquid that is miscible with water. It is soluble in many common organic solvents, except benzene, carbon tetrachloride, diethyl ether, methyl isobutyl ketone, and nitromethane.Weast, Robert C. (1973). "Miscibility of Organic Solvent Pairs". CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (54th ed.). Ohio, USA: CRC Press. page C-720.
Products It is mainly used as a building block in the production of polymers such as polytrimethylene terephthalate.
1,3-Propanediol can be formulated into a variety of industrial products including composites, adhesives, laminates, coatings, moldings, aliphatic polyesters, and copolyesters. It is also a common solvent. It is used as an antifreeze and as a component in wood paint.
Production 1,3-Propanediol is mainly produced by the hydration of acrolein. An alternative route involves the hydroformylation of ethylene oxide to form 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde. The aldehyde is subsequently hydrogenated to give 1,3-propanediol. Biotechnological routes are also known.
Two other routes involve bioprocessing by certain micro-organisms: Conversion from glucose effected by a genetically modified strain of E. coli by DuPont Tate & Lyle BioProducts (See: bioseparation of 1,3-propanediol). An estimated 120,000 tons were produced in 2007". According to DuPont, the Bio-PDO process uses 40% less energy than conventional processes, Because of DuPont and Tate & Lyle's success in developing a renewable Bio-PDO process, the American Chemical Society awarded the Bio-PDO research teams the "2007 Heroes of Chemistry" award. Conversion from glycerol (a by-product of biodiesel production) using Clostridium diolis bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae.
Safety 1,3-Propanediol does not appear to pose a significant hazard via inhalation of either the vapor or a vapor/aerosol mixture.
See also Butylene glycol Ethylene glycol Polylactic acid Propylene glycol
References
External links Manufacturer's brochure describing uses of 1,3-propanediol