49920

Glycerol formal

≥98.0% (GC)

• Synonym(s): 1,3(or 2,3)-O-Methylene-1,2,3-propanetriol
• Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C₄H₈O₃
• CAS Number: 99569-11-6
• Molecular Weight: 104.10
• Beilstein: 103206
• MDL number: MFCD10039829
• UNSPSC Code: 12352100
• PubChem Substance ID: 57651229
• NACRES: NA.22

Properties

• Assay: ≥98.0% (GC)
• contains: ~0.02% 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol as stabilizer
• composition: 5-hydroxy-1,3-dioxane, ~60% ; 4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane, ~40%
• refractive index: n20/D 1.451 (lit.); n20/D 1.451
• bp: 192-193 °C (lit.)
• density: 1.203 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
• SMILES string: OCC1COCO1.OC2COCOC2
• InChI: 1S/2C4H8O3/c5-4-1-6-3-7-2-4;5-1-4-2-6-3-7-4/h2*4-5H,1-3H2
• InChI key: JIUMSISXCKWZTA-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Description

General description

Glycerol formal (GF) is a light glycerol acetal that is composed of ~60% 5-hydroxy-1,3-dioxane and ~40% 4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane. It can be prepared by reacting glycerol and formaldehyde in the presence of acid catalyst. The potential of GF as an injection solvent for use in toxicity testing has been reported.

Application

Glycerol formal is used to to solubilize water-insoluble compounds for subsequent aqueous dilution. It has been used as a chemical and dye emulsifier and as a cosolvent for drug delivery. Glycerol formal was used as a vehicle for antibiotic delivery in rats.

Glycerol formal may be used in the multi-step synthesis of 9-[(2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethoxy)methyl]guanine (2′-nor-2′-deoxyguanosine), an analog of acyclovir. It may be used in the preparation of 4-substituted dioxolanes.

Safety Information

• WGK: WGK 3
• Personal Protective Equipment: dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves