Propylene Oxide (PO)
ANHUI LIWEI CHEMICAL CO.,LIMITED
[Introduction]
Propylene oxide (PO) is an important and widely used chemical intermediate used in the production of a wide range of industrial and commercial products. It is a colorless, low-boiling, volatile liquid with a sweet, ether-like odor. Due to its high flammability and reactivity, storage and unloading sites for PO must undergo rigorous design and safety monitoring.
INQUITRE NOWSpecifications
| Appearance | Colorless to Almost colorless clear liquid |
|---|---|
| Purity(GC) | min. 99.0 % |
| Specific rotation [a]20/D | -1.0 to 1.0 deg(neat) |
Properties(reference)
| Boiling Point | 34 °C |
|---|---|
| Flash point | -37 °C |
| Specific Gravity (20/20) | 0.83 |
| Refractive Index | 1.36 |
| Solubility in water | Soluble |
| Degree of solubility in water | 410 g/l 20 °C |
| Solubility (miscible with) | Acetone, Benzene, Methanol |
| Solubility (soluble in) | Alcohol |
General Information
| Product Number | Propylene Oxide (PO) |
|---|---|
| Purity / Analysis Method | >99.0%(GC) |
| Molecular Formula / Molecular Weight | C3H6O = 58.08 |
| Physical State (20 deg.C) | Liquid |
| Storage Temperature | Room Temperature (Recommended in a cool and dark place, <15°C) |
| Store Under Inert Gas | Store under inert gas |
| Condition to Avoid | Air Sensitive |
| CAS | 75-56-9 |
Application
Propylene oxide is used worldwide as an intermediate to produce numerous downstream materials. Polyether Polyols consume the largest share of propylene oxide using between 60-70% of the total global volume. Propylene glycols consume another 20% of the total, and propylene glycol ethers consume about 5%.
1. Polyether polyols
• Base or acid catalyzed polymerization of propylene oxide with polyhydric alcohols and/or other alkylene oxides like ethylene or butylene oxide, yields polymers with a wide possible range of molecular weight and structural diversity.
• The primary application for such polyols is in the manufacture of flexible or rigid polyurethane foams.
• Non-polyurethane applications include surface active agents (surfactants) for household and industrial detergents, paints, adhesives, textiles, defoamers, oil field chemicals, cosmetics, functional fluids and lubricants in metal working, heat transfer fluids and automotive brake fluids.
2. Propylene glycols
• Reaction of propylene oxide with water leads to monopropylene glycol (MPG) with subsequent reactions leading to di-(DPG), tri-(TPG) and higher propylene glycols.
• Propylene glycols are used in a wide range of applications, including use as raw materials for unsaturated polyester resins, humectants in pharmaceuticals,cosmetics and food, heat transfer fluids, antifreezes and aircraft deicers.
3. Propylene glycol ethers
• Propylene glycol ethers are formed by base catalyzed reaction of PO with alcohols like methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol or phenol. Subsequent reaction with additional PO leads to the corresponding di-, tri- and higher glycol ethers.
• Propylene glycol ethers are used as solvents and coupling agents in paints and in the production of coatings, inks, resins and cleaners.
4. Other propoxylated derivatives
• Reaction of propylene oxide with phosphorous compounds yields flame retardants,used, for example, in polyurethane foams, textiles and flooring materials.
• Reaction with ammonia yields isopropanolamines used as solvents in natural gas purification, as metal working fluids, and in cosmetics.
• Reaction with acrylic or methacrylic acid forms droxypropylacrylates, which can be used in UV-curable resins, inks, coatings, varnishes, floorings, and automotive parts.
• Propoxylated carbohydrates like cellulose and starch are used in applications in the construction, paint, food and pharmaceutical industries.
