Glycerol triglycidyl ether

Glycerol triglycidyl ether (triglycidyl glycerol) is an aliphatic organic chemical in the glycidyl ether family. It has the formula C₁₂H₂₀O₆. The CAS number is 13236–02–7. The IUPAC name is 2-[1,3-bis(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)propan-2-yloxymethyl]oxirane. A key use is as a modifier for epoxy resins as a reactive diluent.

There are a variety of recognized alternate names.

• Triglycidylglycerol
• 1,2,3-Tris(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propane
• Glycerine triglycidyl ether
• Glycerol tris(2,3-epoxypropyl) ether
• 2-[1,3-bis(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)propan-2-yloxymethyl]oxirane
• Propane, 1,2,3-tris(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-
• Glycerol 1,2,3-triglycidyl ether

Glycerine and epichlorohydrin are reacted with a Lewis acid catalyst to form a halohydrin. The next step is dehydrochlorination with sodium hydroxide. This forms the triglycidyl ether.

As the molecule has 3 oxirane functionalities, it is a reactive modifier and viscosity reduction agent of epoxy resins. These reactive diluent modified epoxy resins may then be further formulated into CASE applications: Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers. The use of the diluent does effect mechanical properties and microstructure of epoxy resins. Its use in photochemical applications has also been extensively used and studied. Uses in modern battery technology have also been researched. The molecule maybe further reacted to produce materials such as surfactants.

• Epoxy resin technology. Paul F. Bruins, Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. New York: Interscience Publishers. 1968. ISBN 0-470-11390-1. OCLC 182890.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
• Flick, Ernest W. (1993). Epoxy resins, curing agents, compounds, and modifiers : an industrial guide. Park Ridge, NJ. ISBN 978-0-8155-1708-5. OCLC 915134542.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Lee, Henry (1967). Handbook of epoxy resins. Kris Neville ([2nd, expanded work] ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-036997-6. OCLC 311631322.