What is polypropylene glycol?

Polypropylene glycol (PPG) is colorless, odorless, viscous liquid, which is a polymer propylenexide. It is also known as polypropylene oxide. There are a number of different forms that differ in the number of molecular units in the polymer. It is a component in many domestic products and cosmetics and in industry is widely used to produce other products. Since 2011, the main method of producing this chemical substance requires raw materials that come from the petrochemical industry; However, alternative methods that are not dependent on fossil fuels are examined. This molecular unit - usually between 300 and 4,000. It consists of recurrent units of propylenoxide with hydrogen atom at one end and a group of hydroxyl (OH) on the other. And the various forms of PPG are commercially available. In general, they are named after molar mass - more or less equivalent to the number of propylenoxide units in the polymer, such as PPG 425, PPG 1200 and PPG 4000.

In the normal manufacturing process, a propylene-more gasoline production product is produced for propylenoxide. This compound is then polymerized by a strong base, such as potassium hydroxide, as a catalyst. In an effort to reduce relying on fossil fuels, alternative means of production are sought. One proposed method involves converting glucose from corn to lactic acid, which can then be used with a copper catalyst to synthesize PPG.

Polypropylene glycol in many ways resembles polyethylene glycol (Peg) in its properties. The viscosity of the liquid increases and its solubility in the water decreases, with an increase in molar mass or molecular weight. The molar mass depends on the number of molecular units in the polymer.

Many uses of polypropylene glycol are more related to its physical than chemical properties, although its low toxicity is an important factor in many of its applications. PPG polymers are used in many cosmetic and personal productsCare to absorb and maintain moisture and thickening. The confusing, cosmetic association of toilet and fragrances (CTFA) has its own abbreviation system for these compounds-for example, PPG-9 in this system is PPG 425 in terms of molar mass. PPGs are used as defoaming substances in many industrial processes - including food production, as lubricants and in rheology studies. They are also used in the production of some forms of polyurethane, flexible epoxy resins and excreted coatings.