Propylene oxide is an organic compound with the chemical formula C3H6O. It is a colorless volatile liquid that is miscible with water and is soluble in various organic solvents. C3H6O is an industrially significant chemical mostly used in the production of polyether polyols for polyurethane products as well as propylene glycol.
Uses and Production of Propylene Oxide
C3H6O production and downstream processing represents one of the largest commodity chemical industries worldwide. The largest application for C3H6O is in the production of polyether polyols which are in turn used to manufacture polyurethane flexible and rigid foams. Foams produced using polyether polyols find applications in insulation, furnishing, automotive interiors, bedding and many other consumer and industrial goods.
Propylene Oxide is commercially produced using two catalytic processes - the chlorohydrin process and the hydroperoxide process. In the chlorohydrin process, propylene is reacted with chlorine to form propylene chlorohydrin which is then converted into C3H6O. The hydroperoxide process involves formation of an intermediate hydroperoxide from propylene and oxygen gas catalyzed by silver ions which then decomposes to yield C3H6O. The hydroperoxide process is more commonly employed today due to lower energy requirements.
Apart from polyether polyols, C3H6O finds significant use in production of propylene glycols and glycol ethers. Propylene glycol is used as a humectant in skin products, pharmaceuticals, food etc. Glycol ethers derived from C3H6O are popular solvents for coatings, adhesives, cleaning formulations and other applications.
Get more insights on – Propylene Oxide
Discover the Report for More Insights, Tailored to Your Language.
