1,3-Propanediol Explained

1,3-Propanediol is the organic compound with the formula CH₂(CH₂OH)₂. This 3-carbon diol is a colorless viscous liquid that is miscible with water.

Products

It is mainly used as a building block in the production of polymers such as polytrimethylene terephthalate.

1,3-Propanediol can be formulated into a variety of industrial products including composites, adhesives, laminates, coatings, moldings, aliphatic polyesters, and copolyesters. It is also a common solvent. It is used as an antifreeze and as a component in wood paint.

Production

1,3-Propanediol is mainly produced by the hydration of acrolein. An alternative route involves the hydroformylation of ethylene oxide to form 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde. The aldehyde is subsequently hydrogenated to give 1,3-propanediol. Biotechnological routes are also known.

Two other routes involve bioprocessing by certain micro-organisms:

• Conversion from glucose effected by a genetically modified strain of E. coli by DuPont Tate & Lyle BioProducts (See: bioseparation of 1,3-propanediol). An estimated 120,000 tons were produced in 2007". According to DuPont, the Bio-PDO process uses 40% less energy than conventional processes,^{[1] [2]} Because of DuPont and Tate & Lyle's success in developing a renewable Bio-PDO process, the American Chemical Society awarded the Bio-PDO research teams the "2007 Heroes of Chemistry" award.
• Conversion from glycerol (a by-product of biodiesel production) using Clostridium diolis bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae.^[3]

Safety

1,3-Propanediol does not appear to pose a significant hazard via inhalation of either the vapor or a vapor/aerosol mixture.^[4] However, like with any chemical exposure should be controlled and maintained.

See also

• Butylene glycol
• Ethylene glycol
• Polylactic acid
• Propylene glycol

External links

• Manufacturer's brochure describing uses of 1,3-propanediol

Notes and References

1. Web site: Biobased 1,3-Propanediol A New Platform Chemical For The 21st Century . Carl F. Muska . Carina Alles . BREW Symposium . 2005-05-11 .
2. News: AZoM.com . Growing Demand for Products Manufactured from DuPont's Bio-Based Propanediol . 2007-06-12.
3. Microbial production of 1,3-propanediol . H. Biebl . K. Menzel. A.-P. Zeng. W.-D. Deckwer . Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology . 52 . 289–297 . 1999 . 10531640 . 10.1007/s002530051523 . 3 . 20017229 .
4. Inhalation toxicity of 1,3-propanediol in the rat . Scott RS, Frame SR, Ross PE, Loveless SE, Kennedy GL . . 2005 . 17 . 9 . 487–93 . 10.1080/08958370590964485 . 16020043. 25647781 .