Triacetin
Triacetin, also known as glycerol triacetate or glyceryl triacetate, is an organic compound with the molecular formula C₉H₁₄O₆ and a molecular weight of 218.20 g/mol.[1] It is the triester formed by the acetylation of the three hydroxy groups of glycerol with acetic acid, resulting in a colorless, oily liquid that is miscible with ethanol, ether, and chloroform but has limited solubility in water (approximately 58 g/L at 25 °C).[1] With a melting point of -78 °C and a boiling point of 258–260 °C, triacetin exhibits fungistatic properties due to the slow release of acetic acid and is commonly synthesized by the acetylation of glycerol with acetic acid or acetic anhydride.[1] Triacetin serves as a versatile additive across multiple industries, including as a plasticizer, solvent, and humectant in plastics, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals; detailed applications are covered in subsequent sections.[2][3] Triacetin has low acute toxicity and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food use by the FDA, safe for cosmetics by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, and metabolizes harmlessly into glycerol and acetic acid, though rare allergic reactions may occur; further safety details are in the dedicated section.[1][2][3]Chemical properties
Molecular structure
Triacetin has the chemical formula C₉H₁₄O₆.[1] Its systematic IUPAC name is propane-1,2,3-triyl triacetate, reflecting the esterification of a propane chain.[1] The molar mass of triacetin is 218.205 g/mol, calculated from its atomic composition.[1] Triacetin is classified as a triglyceride, specifically the triester formed from one molecule of glycerol and three molecules of acetic acid.[1] Structurally, it consists of a glycerol backbone—derived from propane-1,2,3-triol—with three acetate groups (CH₃COO-) attached to the primary and secondary hydroxyl positions via ester linkages, resulting in the formula shown below: \ce{CH3COOCH2-CH(OCOCH3)-CH2OCOCH3} This configuration imparts triacetin with its characteristic properties as a simple triacylglycerol analog.[1]Physical characteristics
Triacetin appears as a colorless, oily liquid at room temperature, characterized by a faint fatty odor.[1] It exhibits a density of 1.16 g/cm³ at 25 °C, making it denser than water and suitable for various industrial handling processes.[4] The compound has a melting point of 3 °C, though it often remains in a supercooled liquid state under ambient conditions due to its tendency to avoid crystallization without seeding.[4] Its boiling point is 258 °C at standard pressure, indicating thermal stability at elevated temperatures.[1] The flash point is 148 °C (closed cup), relevant for safe storage and transport.[4] Triacetin demonstrates moderate solubility in water, approximately 5.8 g/100 mL at 25 °C, while being fully miscible with ethanol, ether, acetone, and other organic solvents, a behavior attributed to its ester structure.[1] Its dynamic viscosity ranges from 21 to 24 mPa·s at 20 °C, contributing to its viscous nature and influencing flow properties in applications.[4]| Property | Value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.16 g/cm³ | 25 °C |
| Melting point | 3 °C | - |
| Boiling point | 258 °C | 760 mmHg |
| Flash point | 148 °C | Closed cup |
| Water solubility | 5.8 g/100 mL | 25 °C |
| Viscosity | 21–24 mPa·s | 20 °C |