Triacetin
Triacetin Series Acetate Series Basic Chemicals Casting Materials Organic Ester Series Composite Carbon Source Liquid
Triacetin
Chemical Formula C9H14O6
Molar Mass 218.204 g/mol
Appearance Colorless, oily liquid
Odor Faint, characteristic odor
Density 1.158 - 1.162 g/cm³ (at 25°C)
Melting Point -75 °C
Boiling Point 258 - 259 °C
Solubility In Water Slightly soluble
Solubility In Organic Solvents Soluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, chloroform
Flash Point 138 °C
Refractive Index 1.430 - 1.433 (at 20°C)
FAQ

What are the main uses of Triacetin?

Triacetin, also known as triacetate, is widely used. In the food industry, it can be used as a fragrance and plasticizer. Because of its good solubility and stability, it can increase the aroma and taste of food, and also make food texture better.

In the pharmaceutical field, Triacetin can be used as a solvent and plasticizer. In the preparation of drugs, it can help insoluble drugs dissolve and improve the bioavailability of drugs. And because it can enhance the flexibility of pharmaceutical preparations, it is often used in tablets, capsules and other dosage forms.

In the cosmetic industry, Triacetin also has important functions. Due to its moisturizing and moisturizing properties, it can be added to skin care products to make the skin soft and smooth, and can be used as a fragrance solvent to help the fragrance disperse evenly, making the aroma longer and pleasant.

In industry, Triacetin can be used as a plasticizer to improve the flexibility and processing performance of plastic products. It is also used in inks, coatings and other fields as a solvent and plasticizer to improve product quality and performance.

In summary, Triacetin has key uses in many fields such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and industry, and is an extremely important chemical substance.

What are the physical properties of Triacetin?

Trivinegar essence has all kinds of physical properties. Its color is pure and transparent, like the clarity of autumn sky, without the slightest impurities, shining warm and shiny under the light. Its smell, the gas is faint and has a faint fragrance, not pungent or disturbing, seems to have a faint fragrance, quietly dissipating.

In terms of its shape, at room temperature, it is a stable liquid, with a uniform texture and a free flow, like a stream gurgling, without stagnation. Its boiling point is quite high, about 280 to 6 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, it gradually converts from liquid phase to gas phase, showing the change of its gasification. The freezing point is very low, about negative seven degrees Celsius, at this low temperature, it condenses into a solid state.

Furthermore, the density of triacetin is slightly higher than that of water. If the two are placed in one place, triacetin will sink steadily, like a pearl falling to the bottom of the abyss. And its solubility is also characteristic, it can be miscible with many organic solvents such as alcohol, ether, chloroform, etc., and it is infinitely integrated, just like old friends getting together, and it is very harmonious. However, in water, it is only slightly soluble, and it seems to be alienated, and it can only be integrated a little. These physical properties are unique in various fields such as industry and medicine, and are relied on by many processes and formulations.

Is Triacetin chemically stable?

Triacetin is also known as glycerol triacetate. Its chemical properties are relatively stable. This substance is in the state of a colorless transparent oily liquid, odorless and has a weak ester aroma.

In terms of its stability, under normal conditions, it can withstand general temperature and pressure changes. In room temperature environment, it can be stored for a long time without significant qualitative change. This is because in the molecular structure of Triacetin, the ester bond formed by the glycerol part and acetic acid is relatively strong.

Triacetin also has certain stability to light. Under normal light conditions, it is not easy to cause its decomposition or other chemical changes. However, in strong acid and strong alkali environments, the stability will be affected. When exposed to strong acids, ester bonds can undergo hydrolysis reactions to form glycerol and acetic acid; when exposed to strong bases, the hydrolysis reaction is more rapid and thorough.

However, in common neutral and weak acid-base environments, Triacetin can maintain the stability of its own structure and properties. In many industrial and daily life application scenarios, this stability makes it widely used as a solvent, plasticizer, etc. Because of its stability, it can maintain its own characteristics in different systems and play its due role, providing reliable performance guarantee in the production and use of various products.

In which industries is Triacetin widely used?

Triacetin has a wide range of uses and is used in various industries.

In the pharmaceutical industry, it can be used as a medicinal excipient. Because of its good solubility and stability, the cover is often used as a drug coating material, which can slow down the release of drugs and make the effect lasting. And it can increase the stability of drugs, prevent their deterioration, and help the drug to be reasonably absorbed in the body.

In the food industry, triacetin also has outstanding performance. It can be used as a food additive, as a plasticizer and solvent. In chewing gum and other foods, it can increase its flexibility and improve the taste. In edible oils, it can be used as an antioxidant to prolong the shelf life of oils and maintain the flavor and quality of food.

It can also be seen in the daily chemical industry. In cosmetics and skin care products, as a solvent and moisturizer. Because it is mild and non-irritating, it can help the active ingredients to dissolve and promote skin absorption. And has the effect of moisturizing, can make the skin hydrated.

Plastic industry, triacetin is the choice of plasticizer. It can improve the flexibility and plasticity of plastic products, make it easy to process, and is widely used in plastic films, plastic pipes and other products to improve product performance and quality.

Coating industry, it can be used as a solvent and plasticizer. It can reduce the viscosity of the coating, increase its fluidity and coating properties, make the coating evenly covered, improve the quality and gloss of the coating. And can improve the flexibility and adhesion of the coating, prolong the service life. Therefore, triacetin is indispensable in the pharmaceutical, food, daily chemical, plastics, coatings and other industries. It is widely used and has made great contributions to the development of many industries.

What are the production methods of Triacetin?

Triacetin is an important organic compound with a wide range of uses. There are various methods for its preparation, let me come to you.

One is the esterification method of acetic acid and glycerol. In the past, people took acetic acid and glycerin, used sulfuric acid as a catalyst, and heated them together at an appropriate temperature. Sulfuric acid can promote the speed of the esterification reaction. The text says: "With acetic acid and glycerin as materials, sulfuric acid as a catalyst, and co-heating, triacetin can be obtained." In this process, the carboxyl group of acetic acid interacts with the hydroxyl group of glycerol to dehydrate and obtain triacetin. However, sulfuric acid is corrosive, and it is difficult to separate after the reaction, so there are improved methods later.

Second, the reaction method of acetic anhydride and glycerol. The activity of acetic anhydride is higher than that of acetic acid. With its reaction with glycerol, there is no need for a strong acidic catalyst, and the conditions are also mild. For example, the ancient method said: "Take acetic anhydride and glycerol, react in a suitable environment, and obtain pure triacetin." In this reaction process, the carbonyl group of acetic anhydride is attacked by glycerol hydroxyl nucleophiles, and the product is obtained by ester formation. There are few impurities and good purity.

Third, enzyme catalysis method. In modern times, there are those who use enzymes as catalysts. Enzymes are specific, efficient, and the reaction conditions are mild and environmentally friendly. There is a saying: "Using a specific lipase to catalyze acetic acid and glycerol at a mild temperature and a moderate pH can produce triacetin." Enzymes can be directed catalysis, making the reaction accurate and environmentally friendly, and gradually becoming more and more important to the world.

All kinds of production methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. With the advance of science and technology, we should choose the best to meet different needs.