Dipropylene glycol

Chemical properties

Dipropylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, slightly viscous liquid. it has a low vapor pressure, and is miscible with water.

The Uses of Dipropylene glycol

dipropylene glycol may be incorporated into a cosmetic for a variety of purposes including to mask odors or to perfume a product. In addition, it can help decrease product viscosity and serves as a solvent for essential oils and fragrance oils.

The Uses of Dipropylene glycol

Dipropylene glycol, mixture of isomers is used as a solvent, plasticizer, polymerization initiator and monomer. It acts as an additive used in perfumes, skin and hair care products. It is an active ingredient in commercial fog fluid, which is used as an entertainment in fog machines. Further, it is used as an intermediate in polyurethane polyols, alkyd resins and non-reinforced polyesters. In addition to this, it is used in dyes, paints, hydraulic brake fluids and cutting oils.

Production Methods

Dipropylene glycol is prepared commercially as a by-product of propylene glycol production. Three linear isomers are possible, but these have not been separated and studied, and the exact composition of the commercial product is not known. It is also possible to prepare cyclic isomers such as 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane and 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane, but these are not likely to form under conditions employed commercially.

General Description

Thick odorless, colorless liquid. Sinks and mixes with water.

Air & Water Reactions

Dipropylene glycol is hygroscopic. Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Dipropylene glycol can react vigorously with acids and oxidizing materials. Dipropylene glycol is incompatible with strong bases. Dipropylene glycol is incompatible with peroxides.

Health Hazard

Minor eye irritation

Fire Hazard

Dipropylene glycol is combustible.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Chemical Reactivity

Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reaction; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.

Toxicology

Dipropylene glycol is not acutely toxic by oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure. Acute oral toxicity has been examined in the rat, mouse, and guinea pig and the reported LD50s were 15.8 ml/kg (16000 mg/kg), >2000 mg/kg and 17600 mg/kg, respectively.

Carcinogenicity

Dipropylene glycol has not been tested specifically for carcinogenicity; however, based on the results of a cancer bioassay of propylene glycol (to which dipropylene glycol is rapidly converted), dipropylene glycol is not expected to have carcinogenic potential.