Glycerol is a simple polyol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and non-toxic
A polyol is an organic compound containing multiple hydroxyl groups
The molecular formula of glycerol is C3H8O3.
From the structure, it is evident that Glycerol is a carbon-based compound, containing three hydroxyl (OH) groups.
Let’s discuss the uses of glycerol in detail.
Due to its sweetness, it can be used as a sweetener in drinks. Its sweetness is around 60% of that of normal white sugar (sucrose)
Glycerol is an important moistening agent for baked goods
Glycerol is also used in personal care products.
It is found in toothpaste, skin care products, shaving cream, and mouthwash
Glycerol is also used as antifreeze
Due to the presence of hydroxyl groups, glycerol can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
So, glycerol has a low freezing point of -38˚C (-36˚F)
Glycerol also finds use as a precursor to explosives
Glycerol is the starting material in the manufacture of nitroglycerin, the explosive liquid commonly found in dynamite and some propellants
Nitroglycerin is also used to prevent chest pain for people with heart problems.
Blasting gelatin is also an explosive material consisting of gun cotton dissolved in either nitroglycerine or nitroglycol and mixed with wood pulp and saltpetre.
These are the major uses of glycerol in our daily life.
Let’s revise.
Glycerol is a simple polyol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and non-toxic
Due to its sweetness, it can be used as a sweetener in drinks. Its sweetness is around 60% of that of normal white sugar (sucrose)
Nitroglycerin is also used to prevent chest pain for people with heart problems.