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DIGLYCERINE

Diglycerine is a clear to slightly yellow, highly viscous and strongly hygroscopic polyol composed of two glycerol units linked by an ether bond, giving it four hydroxyl groups and exceptionally high hydrophilicity.
As a member of the polyglycerol family, Diglycerine exhibits strong hydrogen-bonding capacity, complete miscibility with water and alcohols, excellent thermal and chemical stability, and functions as an effective humectant, solvent, viscosity modifier, and reaction intermediate across cosmetic, food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
Produced by controlled glycerol polymerization and purified by vacuum or molecular distillation, Diglycerine offers low toxicity, biodegradability, and broad compatibility, making it a versatile bio-based ingredient widely valued for moisture retention, formulation stability, and reactivity in modern formulations.

CAS Number: 25618-55-7
EC Number: 607-738-7
Molecular Formula: C6H14O5
Molecular Weight: 166.17 g/mol

Synonyms: Diglycerol, Diglycerin, 3-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)propane-1,2-diol, 59113-36-9, 3-glyceryloxypropane-1,2-diol, 3YC120743U, Glycerol dimer, RESASSOL DN, DIGLYCERIN 801, GREAT OIL DI 1, RefChem:1083566, Beautyturess 80gTanning Cream, DTXSID10891325, Beautyturess 80g Shiny Tanning Cream, 261-605-5, 627-82-7, Diglycerine, alpha,alpha'-Diglycerol, 1,2-Propanediol, 3,3'-oxybis-, 3,3'-Oxybis(propane-1,2-diol), .alpha.,.alpha.'-Diglycerol, 4-Oxaheptane-1,2,6,7-tetrol, MFCD00049316, UC0A740LR3, 3,3'-Oxydi(propane-1,2-diol), NSC-8689, glyceryl ether, UNII-UC0A740LR3, diglyceryl ether, 3,3'-Oxydi(propylene glycol), 3,2-propanediol, NSC8689, 1,2-Propanediol, 3,3'-oxydi-, Oxydi(propanediol), 3,3'-Oxydi-1,2-propanediol; 4-Oxaheptane-1,2,6,7-tetrol; Bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) Ether; NSC 8689, EINECS 211-013-8, OXYBISPROPANEDIOL, Tetrahydroxydipropyl Ether, 1, 3,3'-oxybis-, 1, 3,3'-oxydi-, Diglycerol (isomers mixture), SCHEMBL30754, 4-Oxaheptane-1,6,7-tetrol, 3,3'-oxydipropane-1,2-diol, 3,3'-Oxydi-1,2-propanediol, SCHEMBL11478187, UNII-3YC120743U, GPLRAVKSCUXZTP-UHFFFAOYSA-, DTXSID90872273, CHEBI:140430, DIGLYCERIN, ALPHA,ALPHA'-, bis-(2,3-dihydroxy-propyl)-ether, NSC 8689, EINECS 261-605-5, .ALPHA.,.ALPHA.'-DIGLYCERIN, AKOS015915864, FD39315, DIGLYCERIN, .ALPHA.,.ALPHA.'-, SY053494, DB-053322, CS-0197339, NS00009635, T0119, EC 261-605-5, F71162, .ALPHA.,.ALPHA.'-DIGLYCEROL, (+/-)-, EN300-7701666, F130200, Q27291013, InChI=1/C6H14O5/c7-1-5(9)3-11-4-6(10)2-8/h5-10H,1-4H2, 51493-70-0

Diglycerine is a clear to slightly yellow, highly viscous and strongly hygroscopic polyol composed of two glycerol units linked by an ether bond, giving it four hydroxyl groups and exceptionally high hydrophilicity.
As a member of the polyglycerol family, Diglycerine exhibits complete miscibility with water and alcohols, a high boiling point, strong hydrogen-bonding capacity, and excellent thermal and chemical stability.

These properties make diglycerine an effective humectant, solvent, viscosity modifier, and reaction intermediate across personal care, food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
In cosmetics Diglycerine enhances moisture retention, stabilizes emulsions, and improves texture, while in industrial manufacturing it serves as a reactive polyol in polyurethane systems, plasticizers, resins, and specialty lubricants.
Produced by controlled glycerol polymerization and purified through vacuum or molecular distillation, diglycerine offers low toxicity, biodegradability, and broad compatibility, making it a versatile bio-based ingredient in modern formulations.

Diglycerine is an excellent moisturizer and humectant that is highly valued in the cosmetic and personal care industry.
Diglycerine effectively attracts moisture, enhancing hydration in products like moisturizers, cleansers, and serums.

As a solvent and viscosity modifier, Diglycerine improves texture and stability in formulations.
In its raw form, Diglycerine appears as a colorless to pale yellow viscous liquid and has a mild, natural scent.

Diglycerine is generally recognized as safe for all skin types, being non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
Since Diglycerine is derived from natural sources, it is biodegradable and aligns with eco-friendly and sustainable cosmetics.
The chemical formula of Diglycerine is C12H24O6.

Diglycerine has excellent moisturizing properties that reduce the stickiness of glycerin.
Allows various textures from light to deep moist depending on the dosage.
In toiletry products, Diglycerine improves foam viscosity and elasticity.

Diglycerine may also be referred to as glycerol dimer or diglycerol.
As a member of the glycerol ester family, Diglycerine is present in nearly 0.33% of skin and/or hair care formulas.

As a result, Diglycerine is listed as an ingredient in certain face masks, creams, shampoos, serums for sensitive skin, and exfoliating wipes.
Diglycerine is used not only in the field of cosmetology, but also in the food industry.
Diglycerine serves as a food additive, acting as an emulsifying agent, coating, gelling agent, or carrier for coloring.

In the field of skincare, Diglycerine is used for its moisturizing functions.
Skin hydration involves providing the necessary moisture for various cells located deep within the epidermis.

This promotes cellular regeneration and strengthens the hydrolipidic film that protects the skin's surface from the effects of various external aggressions.
By regularly applying a skincare product containing a moisturizing ingredient, the skin becomes supple, soft, and elastic.

Diglycerol also acts as a humectant agent at the heart of the skincare product.
Indeed, Diglycerine presents itself in the form of reduced-size molecules that penetrate into the cytoplasm of the superficial cells of the epidermis to retain water there.

These particles are hygroscopic, meaning they have a strong affinity for water, and act like sponges.
Furthermore, the humectant function of Diglycerine works just as well when the product is in its packaging as when it is applied to the skin.

Diglycerine is also used as a solvent in cosmetology skincare.
Diglycerine's role is to dissolve other less soluble ingredients in the formula.

Diglycerine acts as a solvent and moisturizing agent.
Diglycerine is a highly pure polyol with four hydroxyl groups.

Diglycerine can be used as a raw material for fatty acids.
Diglycerine provides softness, smoothness, moist feel and gloss.

Diglycerine improves quality of lather and offers warmth feeling to the skin.
Diglycerine is used in skin lotions, milky lotion, creams, shampoo, hair conditioners, hair styling products, massage gels, make-up removers, facial wash and body wash formulations.

Diglycerine is a highly viscous, clear to slightly yellow polyhydric alcohol consisting of two glycerol molecules joined through an ether linkage, giving the compound four hydroxyl groups and exceptional hydrophilicity.
As a member of the polyglycerol family, Diglycerine shows strong hydrogen-bonding capability, high polarity, and complete miscibility with water, alcohols, glycols, and other polar solvents.

Diglycerine's hygroscopic nature allows it to attract and retain moisture efficiently, while its high boiling point and thermal stability make it suitable for demanding processing conditions.
Commercial diglycerine is typically produced via controlled polymerization of glycerol or through transesterification pathways that generate polyglycerol fractions later purified by vacuum or molecular distillation.
The resulting material has low toxicity, is readily biodegradable, and exhibits excellent chemical stability under normal formulation conditions.

Owing to its multifunctional hydroxyl structure, diglycerine serves as a versatile ingredient across numerous industries.
In personal care and cosmetics, Diglycerine acts as an effective humectant, moisture-retention agent, emollient, solvent, and viscosity improver, contributing to skin hydration, formulation stability, and smooth sensory feel in creams, lotions, hair conditioners, serums, and toothpastes.

In food applications (when produced to food-grade standards), diglycerine functions as a humectant, bulking agent, cryoprotectant, and plasticizer for edible films, while also helping stabilize flavors and maintain softness in baked goods and confectionery.
In pharmaceuticals, Diglycerine's high polarity and compatibility make it valuable as a solvent, co-solvent, stabilizer, and cryoprotectant for biological materials.

Industrially, diglycerine is used as a reactive polyol component in polyurethane chemistry, a building block for alkyd and polyester resins, a modifier for epoxy formulations, and a functional additive in lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and printing inks.
Diglycerine's hydroxyl groups enable esterification, etherification, urethane formation, and other chemical transformations, making it an attractive intermediate in polymer and surfactant synthesis.
As sustainability requirements increase across the chemical industry, diglycerine’s bio-based origin, low environmental impact, and biodegradability have elevated its importance as a green alternative to petroleum-derived polyols.

Market Overview of Diglycerine:
The global Diglycerine market has experienced steady expansion over the past decade, driven primarily by the growing demand for bio-based polyols, sustainable humectants, and renewable chemical intermediates across personal care, food, pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturing sectors.
As worldwide glycerol production continues to rise due to biodiesel expansion, cost-effective and consistent availability of glycerol feedstock has strengthened the commercial viability of diglycerine production, enabling manufacturers to supply high-purity grades at competitive prices.

A major driver of market growth is the increasing shift toward green chemistry and environmentally benign formulation practices, particularly in cosmetics, household products, and polymer synthesis.
Diglycerine’s low toxicity, biodegradability, excellent moisture retention, and compatibility with natural and clean-label formulations have positioned it as a preferred alternative to petroleum-derived glycols such as propylene glycol and diethylene glycol.
Consequently, leading personal care brands are incorporating diglycerine into moisturizers, serums, deodorants, and hair-care formulations to meet consumer expectations for safer, plant-derived ingredients.

In industrial applications, demand is rising for reactive bio-based polyols used in polyurethane systems, epoxy modifiers, alkyd resins, and biodegradable plasticizers.
Diglycerine’s polyhydroxy functionality, high polarity, and thermal stability make it a valuable intermediate in producing specialty polymers, surfactants, ester lubricants, printing ink additives, and biobased coating formulations.
This is further supported by global regulatory encouragement of sustainable materials, especially in the EU and North America, where REACH-compliant, low-environmental-impact raw materials are increasingly prioritized.

The market also benefits from expanding applications in food and pharmaceuticals, where diglycerine serves as a humectant, co-solvent, cryoprotectant, and excipient.
Growth in processed food manufacturing and the rising demand for multifunctional, safe, and non-toxic additives contribute to market expansion.
Additionally, advancements in molecular distillation and purification technologies have improved commercial access to high-purity diglycerine grades (≥95–99%), enabling more consistent performance in sensitive applications.

Geographically, the strongest consumption growth is observed in Asia-Pacific, driven by rapid industrialization, expanding cosmetics markets, and large-scale polymer manufacturing in China, India, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.
Europe remains a key market focused on sustainability-driven adoption, while North America shows steady demand due to its robust personal care, resin, and pharmaceutical industries.

Uses of Diglycerine:
Diglycerine is used across a wide range of industries due to its strong hydrophilicity, multifunctional hydroxyl structure, and excellent compatibility with aqueous and polymeric systems.
In personal care and cosmetic formulations, Diglycerine functions as a powerful humectant, moisturizer, viscosity modifier, and solvent, helping to enhance skin hydration, stabilize emulsions, and improve the sensory profile of creams, lotions, serums, cleansers, deodorants, and oral-care products.

Food-grade diglycerine serves as a humectant, bulking agent, cryoprotectant, and plasticizer in baked goods, confectionery, edible films, and flavor systems, where it helps maintain softness, stabilize textures, and prevent crystallization.
In pharmaceuticals, Diglycerine acts as a co-solvent, stabilizer, cryoprotectant, and film-coating plasticizer, offering biocompatibility and strong moisture-retention capabilities for topical, oral, and injectable preparations.

Industrially, diglycerine is a valuable reactive polyol used in polyurethane synthesis, alkyd and polyester resin production, epoxy modification, and the manufacture of polyglycerol esters and other surfactants.
Diglycerine also functions as a plasticizer, humectant, and viscosity modifier in lubricants, printing inks, adhesives, and biodegradable polymer systems.
Diglycerine's renewable origin, low toxicity, and broad reactivity make it an increasingly preferred ingredient in sustainable chemical formulations.

Diglycerine is a multifunctional polyol whose four hydroxyl groups, high polarity, strong hydrogen-bonding capacity, and excellent water solubility enable broad utility across personal care, food, pharmaceutical, industrial, and polymer-chemical applications.
Diglycerine's combination of humectancy, chemical reactivity, thermal stability, and biodegradability allows formulators to incorporate it as both a functional additive and a reactive intermediate in diverse high-performance systems.

Personal Care & Cosmetics:
Diglycerine is widely used as a moisturizing and conditioning agent due to its ability to bind water, reduce transepidermal water loss, and soften skin without excessive stickiness.
Diglycerine provides smoother textures than traditional glycerol and enhances formulation stability.

Common uses include:
Moisturizers, lotions, creams
Serums and essences
Cleansers and facial foams
Toothpaste and oral-care gels
Deodorants and antiperspirants
Hair conditioners and styling products
Shaving creams and depilatory formulations

In emulsions, Diglycerine improves viscosity, supports the aqueous phase, and enhances the solubility of hydrophilic actives and preservatives.

Food & Beverage Applications:
(When manufactured as food-grade)

Food-grade diglycerine acts as a humectant, bulking agent, cryoprotectant, and texture modifier, stabilizing moisture distribution in food systems.

Applications include:
Baked goods (retains softness, prevents staling)
Confectionery (prevents crystallization and maintains chewiness)
Meat and seafood processing (cryoprotectant for proteins)
Edible films and coatings (plasticizer)
Flavor encapsulation and stabilization
Low-sugar and reduced-calorie foods as a bodying agent

Diglycerine's mild sweetness and non-volatile nature help maintain product quality during processing and storage.

Pharmaceutical & Medical Uses:
Diglycerine’s polarity, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity make it suitable for oral, topical, and parenteral formulations.

Functions include:
Solvent and co-solvent for active pharmaceutical ingredients
Stabilizer in syrups, elixirs, gels, and emulsions
Humectant in topical creams and ointments
Cryoprotectant for enzyme, cell, and tissue storage
Component in capsule and tablet coatings
Plasticizer in pharmaceutical film coatings

Diglycerine's ability to modify viscosity and enhance moisture retention is especially valuable in dermatological products.

Industrial & Chemical Manufacturing:
Diglycerine serves as an important reactive building block and functional additive across various industrial chemical processes.

Key roles:
Reactive polyol for polyurethane foams, coatings, adhesives, and elastomers
Intermediate for alkyds, polyesters, and epoxy modifiers
Raw material for polyglycerol esters and other surfactants
Plasticizer for biopolymers, cellulose derivatives, and films
Component in ester lubricants, synthetic oils, and hydraulic fluids
Humectant and viscosity modifier in printing inks
Additive for textile and leather chemicals
Stabilizer in e-liquid and specialty chemical formulations

Diglycerine's multifunctional hydroxyl groups allow esterification, etherification, urethane formation, and crosslinking, making it a versatile synthetic intermediate.

Polymeric & Surfactant Synthesis:

Diglycerine is a key precursor in producing:
Polyglycerol esters (used in food, cosmetics, and emulsifiers)
Polyalkylene polyols
Nonionic surfactants
Biodegradable polymer additives
Polymeric plasticizers for eco-friendly plastics

These derivatized products are valued for their stability, low toxicity, and renewable origin.

Agriculture & Environmental Applications:

Though a smaller segment, diglycerine is used in:
Moisture-retention agents in soil conditioners
Biodegradable adjuvants for agrochemical delivery
Anti-dust and anti-frost formulations
Biodegradable antifreeze systems

Diglycerine's environmental safety supports its use in green agricultural technologies.

Specialty Uses:
Cryoprotectant for biological materials and enzymes
Component in laboratory reagents and biochemical buffers
Hydrotrope in difficult aqueous systems
Plasticizer in water-based adhesives and sealants
Additive in nicotine pouch formulations and flavor vehicles

Industry Uses:
Solvent
Intermediates

Consumer Uses:
Other
Plasticizer

Benefits of Diglycerine:
Diglycerine offers a wide range of benefits derived from its four hydroxyl groups, strong hydrophilicity, and excellent thermal and chemical stability.
Diglycerine's exceptional humectancy enables it to attract and retain moisture far more effectively than glycerol alone, improving hydration, softness, and elasticity in skin-care, hair-care, oral-care, and pharmaceutical formulations while reducing transepidermal water loss.

Diglycerine's high polarity and strong hydrogen-bonding capacity allow it to act as a powerful solvent and co-solvent for hydrophilic actives, preservatives, and flavors, enhancing formulation clarity and stability.
Diglycerine provides a smoother, less sticky sensory profile than glycerol, making it highly desirable in cosmetics and personal care applications.

Industrially, Diglycerine's multifunctional hydroxyl structure makes it a versatile reactive polyol for polyurethanes, alkyd resins, surfactants, and specialty polymers, contributing to improved mechanical properties, flexibility, and hydrolytic stability.
Diglycerine's chemical robustness, low volatility, and resistance to thermal degradation support use in high-temperature processing, lubricants, inks, and coatings.
Additionally, diglycerine is biodegradable, non-toxic, and derived from renewable glycerol, offering significant environmental and regulatory advantages over petroleum-based glycols.

Production of Diglycerine:
Diglycerine is produced primarily through the controlled polymerization of glycerol, a renewable by-product of biodiesel and oleochemical manufacturing.
In the most common industrial route, purified glycerol is heated under reduced pressure in the presence of alkaline or acidic catalysts, promoting intermolecular condensation reactions that link two glycerol molecules via an ether bond while releasing water.

Reaction parameters such as temperature, catalyst concentration, residence time, and vacuum level are carefully adjusted to maximize diglycerol formation while limiting higher polyglycerol byproducts.
After polymerization, the crude mixture—typically containing mono-, di-, tri-, and higher glycerols—is subjected to purification steps such as vacuum distillation, molecular (short-path) distillation, ion-exchange polishing, or chromatographic separation to achieve high-purity diglycerine grades suitable for cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical uses.

An alternative production pathway involves transesterification of fatty acid esters or mono-/diglycerides, which generates polyglycerol fractions subsequently purified to isolate the dimer-rich portion.
Advances in catalytic systems and separation technologies have significantly improved product consistency, reduced color and odor impurities, and enabled manufacturers to supply diglycerine with controlled molecular distribution tailored for specific industrial, polymeric, and personal-care applications.

Synthesis of Diglycerine:
Diglycerine is synthesized mainly through condensation (etherification) reactions of glycerol, in which two glycerol molecules combine to form a dimer linked by an ether bond.
The synthesis begins with highly purified glycerol that is heated to elevated temperatures—typically 200–260°C—under vacuum or inert gas to prevent oxidation.

In the presence of alkaline catalysts such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or metal oxides, glycerol undergoes intermolecular dehydration, eliminating water and forming the glycerol–glycerol ether linkage required for diglycerol formation.
Reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, catalyst loading, and reaction time are carefully optimized to favor the formation of diglycerol over higher oligomers like triglycerol and tetraglycerol, which naturally form as side products in polyglycerol synthesis.

Once the reaction reaches the desired molecular distribution, the mixture is cooled and neutralized, and water, residual catalyst, and volatile impurities are removed.
The crude polyglycerol mixture is then subjected to molecular (short-path) distillation, vacuum distillation, or chromatographic purification to isolate high-purity diglycerine.

An alternative synthesis route involves transesterification of fatty acid glycerides, in which glyceride-containing feedstocks undergo rearrangement to produce polyglycerol structures later separated to obtain the diglycerol fraction.
Across all methods, precise control of reaction pathways and purification stages ensures consistent molecular weight, color, odor, and hydroxyl functionality for cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, and industrial applications.

History of Diglycerine:
Diglycerine emerged historically as a natural extension of early glycerol chemistry, which expanded rapidly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as soap-making, candle manufacturing, and later oleochemical industries began producing large quantities of glycerol as a by-product.
As chemists explored glycerol’s reactivity, they discovered that heating glycerol in the presence of alkaline catalysts produced higher polyols—early polyglycerols—including diglycerol, although initial mixtures were impure and poorly characterized due to the limited analytical techniques of the time.
Through the mid-20th century, the development of improved fractionation and distillation equipment, especially vacuum and short-path distillation, enabled more precise separation of glycerol oligomers, making diglycerine available in more controlled and reproducible purity grades.

The modern history of diglycerine is closely tied to the expansion of the biodiesel industry in the early 2000s, which created an unprecedented surplus of crude glycerol.
This abundance stimulated research into value-added glycerol derivatives, including polyglycerols, and drove innovation in catalytic condensation reactions to optimize the selective production of diglycerol.

Advances in heterogeneous catalysts, continuous-processing reactors, and green chemistry approaches elevated the efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of diglycerine synthesis.
As glycerol became an increasingly renewable, low-cost feedstock, diglycerine’s market expanded dramatically into personal care, food, and polymer industries.
Today, diglycerine is recognized as a versatile, bio-based building block whose development reflects more than a century of progress in oleochemical processing, catalysis, and sustainable chemical manufacturing.

Stability and Reactivity of Diglycerine:

Chemical Stability:
Diglycerine is stable under normal ambient temperatures and recommended storage conditions.
Diglycerine does not readily decompose or oxidize and maintains structural integrity across a wide pH range.

Reactivity:
Diglycerine is non-reactive toward most common materials but can undergo expected polyol reactions such as esterification, etherification, and urethane formation in the presence of strong reagents or catalysts.
Diglycerine may react moderately with strong oxidizing agents.

Conditions to Avoid:
Excessive heat, prolonged exposure to temperatures above 250°C, direct flames, and contamination with strong oxidizers.
Avoid generation of mist or aerosol in confined areas.

Incompatible Materials:
Strong oxidizing agents (e.g., peroxides, nitric acid), strong dehydrating agents, reactive anhydrides, and strong acids or bases under forced conditions.

Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Thermal breakdown may generate carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and low levels of irritating organic vapors when subjected to high temperatures or fire conditions.

Handling and Storage of Diglycerine:

Handling:
Use with adequate ventilation to avoid inhalation of aerosols or heated vapors.
Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged skin exposure due to hygroscopic nature.

Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling the material.
Use clean, dry equipment to prevent contamination.
Handle at moderate temperatures to reduce viscosity and improve flow.

Storage:
Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers made of stainless steel or HDPE.
Keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials.

Protect from moisture ingress, high heat, and direct sunlight.
Due to Diglycerine's hygroscopic behavior, containers must remain sealed to prevent water uptake and product dilution.
Recommended storage temperature: 15–30°C.

Shelf Life:
Stable for extended periods (12–36 months) when stored under proper conditions.

First Aid Measures of Diglycerine:

Inhalation:
Low volatility at room temperature minimizes risk, but if aerosols or heated vapors are inhaled, move the person to fresh air.
Keep at rest and monitor for respiratory irritation.
Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Skin Contact:
Wash contacted area with plenty of water and mild soap.
Due to Diglycerine's hygroscopic nature, prolonged exposure may cause dryness.

Remove contaminated clothing.
Seek medical attention if irritation develops.

Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do.

Continue rinsing until irritation subsides.
Seek medical attention if redness or discomfort persists.

Ingestion:
Low acute toxicity; however, ingestion of large amounts may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Rinse mouth with water and do not induce vomiting.

Provide water to dilute.
Seek medical advice if symptoms occur.

Firefighting Measures of Diglycerine:

Suitable Extinguishing Media:
Water spray, dry chemical powder, foam, or carbon dioxide.
Use media appropriate for surrounding fire.

Unsuitable Extinguishing Media:
High-pressure water jets may spread the material due to viscosity reduction.

Specific Hazards Arising from the Chemical:
Diglycerine is combustible at elevated temperatures.
Thermal decomposition can generate carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and irritating organic vapors.
Heating increases viscosity reduction and vapor formation.

Protective Equipment and Precautions for Firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective gear.
Cool containers exposed to heat with water spray.
Prevent runoff from entering drains or watercourses.

Accidental Release Measures of Diglycerine:

Personal Precautions:
Avoid slipping hazards; diglycerine is highly viscous and forms slick surfaces.
Prevent contact with eyes and skin.
Provide adequate ventilation to minimize aerosol buildup.

Protective Equipment:
Wear gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection during cleanup.
For large releases, use chemical-resistant footwear and splash protection.

Emergency Procedures:
Isolate area and restrict access.
Eliminate sources of ignition in case of high-temperature spills.

Containment and Cleanup:
Stop the leak if safe to do so.
Contain spill with inert absorbents such as sand, diatomaceous earth, or vermiculite.

Collect using non-sparking tools and place in suitable containers for disposal or recovery.
Wash the spill area with warm water and mild detergent to remove residue.
Prevent product from entering drains in significant quantities.

Exposure Controls / Personal Protective Equipment of Diglycerine:

Engineering Controls:
Use local exhaust ventilation when heating, spraying, or processing diglycerine to minimize exposure to aerosols or vapors.
Maintain eyewash stations and safety showers in work areas.

Eye/Face Protection:
Safety goggles or face shield to prevent splashes.

Skin Protection:
Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene, or PVC).
Use protective clothing to prevent prolonged skin contact.
Barrier creams may help reduce dryness.

Respiratory Protection:
Generally not required under normal conditions.
If aerosol or vapor generation is likely, use an approved respirator (e.g., NIOSH-rated organic vapor or particulate filters depending on exposure form).

Thermal Protection:
Use heat-resistant gloves and protective equipment when handling hot material.

Environmental Exposure Controls:
Prevent uncontrolled release to the environment.
Avoid significant discharge into sewer systems or natural waterways.

Identifiers of Diglycerine:
IUPAC Name: 3-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)propane-1,2-diol
Chemical Class: Polyhydric alcohol (polyglycerol family)
Molecular Formula: C6H14O5
Molecular Weight: 166.17 g/mol
Structure Description: Two glycerol units linked via an ether bond with four hydroxyl groups
SMILES: C(C(CO)O)OCC(CO)O
InChI: InChI=1S/C6H14O5/c7-1-5(10)6(11)2-9-3-4(8)12/h4-8,10-12H,1-3H2
InChI Key: NCTYACPXJSGTOT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
CAS Number: 25618-55-7

EC Number: 607-738-7
HS Code: 2905.32
UN Number: Not regulated as a hazardous substance
REACH Status: Generally exempt or polymer-related

Appearance: Clear to slightly yellow viscous liquid
Odor: Mild, characteristic
Purity Grades: Technical, cosmetic, food-grade, and high-purity (>95–99%) fractions available

Other(deleted CASRN): 111569-93-8
ECHA EINECS - REACH Pre-Reg: 261-605-5
FDA UNII: 3YC120743U
Nikkaji Web: J6.871C
XlogP3-AA: -2.50 (est)
Molecular Weight: 166.17358000
Formula: C6 H14 O5

CAS Number: 59113-36-9 / 25618-55-7
Chem/IUPAC Name: Oxybispropanediol
EINECS/ELINCS No: 261-605-5
COSING REF No: 75728

Properties of Diglycerine:
Physical State: Highly viscous liquid
Appearance: Clear, colorless to slightly yellow syrup-like liquid
Odor: Mild, faintly sweet, characteristic polyol odor
Taste: Slightly sweet, humectant-like

Molecular Formula: C6H14O5
Molecular Weight: 166.17 g/mol
Chemical Structure: Two glycerol units linked through an ether bond, containing four hydroxyl groups
Functional Groups: Polyhydroxy (–OH) groups, ether linkage

Density: 1.35–1.45 g/cm³ at 20°C (grade-dependent)
Viscosity: Extremely high; typically >4000–7000 mPa·s at 25°C
Boiling Point: >280–300°C (under reduced pressure; decomposes at atmospheric pressure before boiling)
Melting/Freezing Point: Approximately –10 to –15°C
Flash Point: >200°C (closed cup; non-volatile at ambient temperatures)
Refractive Index: ~1.48–1.50 at 20°C
Vapor Pressure: Very low; essentially negligible at room temperature
Solubility: Miscible with water, glycerol, glycols, alcohols; partially soluble in polar organics; insoluble in nonpolar solvents
Hygroscopicity: Highly hygroscopic; readily absorbs moisture from air
Partition Coefficient (log P): Very low due to strong hydrophilicity
Surface Tension: Intermediate; lower than glycerol, aiding in wetting and spreading behavior

Appearance:: colorless clear viscous liquid (est)
Assay:: 95.00 to 100.00
Food Chemicals Codex Listed:: No
Boiling Point:: 407.00 to 408.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg (est)
Flash Point:: 392.00 °F. TCC ( 200.00 °C. ) (est)
logP (o/w):: -2.048 (est)

Molecular Weight: 166.17 g/mol
XLogP3-AA: -2.5
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 4
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 5
Rotatable Bond Count: 6
Exact Mass: 166.08412354 Da
Monoisotopic Mass: 166.08412354 Da
Topological Polar Surface Area: 90.2 Ų
Heavy Atom Count: 11
Complexity: 77
Isotope Atom Count: 0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count: 2
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count: 1
Compound Is Canonicalized: Yes

Specifications of Diglycerine:
Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale-yellow viscous liquid
Odor: Mild, characteristic
Physical State: Liquid, non-crystalline at ambient conditions
Purity (Diglycerol Content): 70–99% depending on grade
Total Polyglycerols: Typically <5–25% (tri-, tetra-, and higher oligomers)
Mono-Glycerol Content: <1–5% (grade-dependent)
Acid Value: <1.0 mg KOH/g
Saponification Value: Very low; typically <5 mg KOH/g
Hydroxyl Value: 750–1050 mg KOH/g
pH (10% aqueous solution): 6.0–8.0
Color (APHA, Pt-Co): <50 for cosmetic; <25 for high-purity
Odor Threshold: Very low; minimal organoleptic impact

Density: 1.35–1.45 g/cm³ at 20°C
Viscosity: 4000–7000 mPa·s at 25°C
Refractive Index: 1.478–1.500 at 20°C
Moisture Content (Karl Fischer): <2.0% (high-purity grades <0.5%)
Boiling Point: >280°C under reduced pressure
Flash Point: >200°C (closed cup)
Melting/Freezing Point: –10 to –15°C

Solubility:
Miscible with water, glycerol, glycols
Partially soluble in ethanol
Insoluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons

Residue on Ignition: <0.1%
Chloride Content: <50 ppm
Sulfate Content: <50 ppm
Heavy Metals: <5 ppm (for cosmetic/food grade)
Arsenic: <1 ppm
Iron: <1–3 ppm
Catalyst Residues: <5 ppm (Na+, K+ depending on process)
Peroxide Value: <1.0 meq/kg
 

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