Glycerine, E 422, C3H8O3: Many names – one versatile raw material
Glycerine occurs very frequently in nature. It is esterified with corresponding fatty acids in animal and vegetable fats as well as in fatty oils and can occur as an intermediate product during alcoholic fermentation. The raw material is used in numerous industries: from cosmetics and food to pharmaceuticals, homecare and technical applications. Its best-known name is “glycerine”. The terms glyzerin and glycerol are also commonly used.
Glycerol: A Trihydric Alcohol
From a chemical perspective, the name glycerol is correct, as the ending “-ol” refers to an alcohol in chemistry. Glycerine is a trihydric alcohol – more precisely, the simplest trihydric alcohol. This means that the molecule has three so-called hydroxyl groups. These functional groups define its properties and make glycerine interesting for many applications.
Depending on the context, different names are used for glycerine. In chemistry, the molecular formula is often the focus. In systematic nomenclature, the substance is referred to as propane-1,2,3-triol. For clear identification in databases, the CAS number 56-81-5 is used. In the food industry, glycerine is known as E 422.
The Molecular Formula C3H8O3
C3H8O3 is the chemical molecular formula of glycerine. It shows which atoms the molecule consists of: three carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms and three oxygen atoms.
A molecular formula therefore initially only provides information about the composition of a chemical compound. It does not yet indicate how the atoms are connected or which functional groups occur in the molecule. This is why glycerine is also often represented in chemistry by the formula C3H5(OH)3. This notation makes it visible that the molecule contains three hydroxyl groups.
These three OH groups are essential: they explain why glycerine is classified as a trihydric alcohol and why it is strongly hygroscopic, readily soluble in water and highly versatile.
Propane-1,2,3-triol: The Systematic Name
Propane-1,2,3-triol – also simply referred to as propane 123 triol or propanetriol – is the systematic name for glycerine according to IUPAC nomenclature. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) develops globally standardized rules for naming chemical substances. The aim is to describe chemical compounds as clearly and comprehensibly as possible.
The name propane-1,2,3-triol describes the structure of the molecule very precisely. “Propane” refers to the basic structure with three carbon atoms. The numbers 1, 2 and 3 indicate that a hydroxyl group is bonded to each of these carbon atoms. The syllable “tri” stands for three of these groups, while the ending “-ol” identifies the substance as an alcohol.
Propane-1,2,3-triol therefore also describes the chemical structure of glycerine.
CAS number: Clear Identification
The CAS number 56-81-5 also stands for glycerine. CAS numbers are assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) and are used to clearly identify chemical substances.
This is particularly important because many substances can have several names: trivial names, trade names, molecular formulas or translations can vary depending on language, industry or application. A CAS number, by contrast, clearly refers to one specific chemical substance. The number 56-81-5 identifies pure glycerine.
In practice, CAS numbers are therefore particularly important for research, documentation, safety data sheets, regulatory matters and international communication. They help avoid misunderstandings and clearly assign chemical substances.
E 422: Glycerine in the Food Industry
E numbers are used in the European Union for approved food additives. They enable uniform labeling on products and in formulations.
In the food industry, glycerine is therefore known as E 422. Under this designation, it is used, among other things, as a humectant, plasticizer or solvent. It can help improve the consistency of certain products, bind moisture or dissolve flavorings and food colorings. Typical areas of application include confectionery, baked goods, chewing gum and beverage preparations.
Glycerine from CREMER OLEO
Glycerine is colorless and odorless, water-soluble, viscous and harmless to health and the environment.
As one of the world’s largest independent suppliers of vegetable-based glycerine, CREMER OLEO offers this raw material in many degrees of purity, with dedicated certifications and for a wide range of industries. With locations in Europe, North and South America as well as Asia, we are closely connected worldwide and are your partner for this versatile raw material.