Drescher,+Nicolette1

GLYCEROL C3H5(OH)3

Glycerol is an organic compound that is also referred to as glycerin or glycerine. It is a colorless, odorless, neutral, sweet-tasting and viscous liquid that is widely used for pharmaceutical purposes.

Glycerol consists of a chain of three carbon atoms with each of the end carbon atoms bonded to two hydrogen atoms (C-H) and a hydroxyl group (-OH) and the central carbon atom is bonded to a hydrogen atom (C-H) and a hydroxyl group (-OH). Glycerol is a trihydric alcohol because it contains three hydroxyl or alcohol groups.

This is a 3D structural formula of Glycerol.

** USES ** Glycerol is one of the most widely used ingredients in drugs and pharmaceuticals. Glycerol is also a very versatile compound that is used in various industries today.

Capsules Suppositories Ear infection remedies Anesthetics Cough remedies Lozenges Gargles
 * Drugs -** Glycerin is widely used to manufacture the following drugs.

Soft drinks Candies Cakes Meat and cheese Dry food
 * Foods and Beverages -** Glycerin is used to moisten, sweeten or preserve the following food and drinks:

Toothpaste Skin creams and lotions Pre-shaving lotions Deodorants Make up Lipstick Mascara
 * Cosmetics and Toiletries -** Because of the non-toxic nature of glycerin, it is used in cosmetics and toiletries. It is used in the following products:


 * Tobacco -** Glycerin is also used in tobacco to prevent the breaking and crumbling during the processing of cigarettes, etc. It also adds some kind of flavor to the chewing tobacco. It is widely used to manufacture cigarette filter tips as well.

Grease proof paper Food wrappers Printing ink
 * Paper and Printing -** It is used to soften and reduce the shrinkage during paper manufacturing. It is used in the following:

As a lubricant for food processing To manufacture resin coating To add flexibility to rubber and plastic As a building block in manufacturing flexible foams To manufacture dynamite To create component that is used in radios and neon lights
 * Textiles -** Glycerin is used in textiles to soften the yarn and to lubricate fibres of different kinds. In the textile industry, glycerin is generally used for the following purposes:

**WHERE IT IS FOUND** Glycerol is present in the form of its esters (glycerides) in all animal and vegetable fats and oils. Glycerol forms the backbone of triglycerides, and can be produced by saponification of animal fats, e.g. a byproduct of soap-making. It also is a byproduct of the production of biodiesel via transesterification. Because of the emphasis on biodiesel, the market for glycerol is depressed, and the old epichlorohydrin process for glycerol synthesis is no longer economical. Glycerol is also produced as a byproduct of refining of cooking and salad oils.

**PROPERTIES** Glycerol has a high boiling point, low melting point and is an extremely viscous liquid. The minimum freezing point temperature for Glycerol is at about -36 °F / -37.8 °C giving it properties of an anti-freeze. It can easily dissolve in water or alcohol but not in oils. Glycerol is said to be a good solvent because there are many substances, which will dissolve in glycerol and then will dissolve in to water or alcohol. Glycerol is highly hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs water from the air. This means that if a beaker of Glycerol were to sit out being exposed to air, after some time it would be 80 percent glycerol and 20 percent water.
 * Molar Mass || 92.09 g/mol ||
 * Density || 1.261 g/cm3 ||
 * Melting Point || 17.8 degrees Celsius ||
 * Boiling Point || 290 degrees Celsius ||
 * Viscosity || 1.2 Pa-s ||

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[] [] http://blog.makezine.com/wifiboostsoda.jpg http://atlantaintheknow.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/lip-stick.jpg http://www.vitadiscount.com/vitasprings/cold-remedy-lozenges-strawberries-18-cold-eeze.jpg http://www.ishboutique.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Food_Wrappers_for_website.28473822_std.JPG http://blog.wasteindustrysite.com/the_heap/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/plastic-bottles1.jpg

I really like the sheer number of pictures and uses of glycerol that you were able to find. The section which describes the source of glycerol was also very good as you didn't just state it comes from animal fats. I would have like to see the chart with the physical and chemical properties expanded. I'm not sure if I skipped over a section that explains this, but I would have also liked to see a section which would explain why glycerol is such a versatile chemical compound and why it can be used in so many different ways. -MR