Formula C5H12O3 Molar mass 120.15 g/mol | Melting point 180 °C Density 1.22 g/cm³ | |
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Trimethylolethane (TME) is the organic compound with the formula CH3C(CH2OH)3. This colorless solid is a triol, that is it contains three hydroxy functional groups. More specifically, it features three primary alcohol groups in a compact neopentyl structure. Its esters are known for their resistance to heat, light, hydrolysis, and oxidation. More important than TME and closely related is trimethylolpropane (TMP).
Contents
Production
Trimethylolethane is produced via a two step process, starting with the condensation reaction of propionaldehyde with formaldehyde:
CH3CH2CHO + 2 CH2O → CH3C(CH2OH)2CHOThe second step entails a Cannizaro reaction:
CH3C(CH2OH)2CHO + CH2O + NaOH → CH3C(CH2OH)3 + NaO2CHA few thousand tons are produced annually in this way.
Applications
TME is an intermediate in the production of alkyd and polyester resins, powder coating resins, synthetic lubricants based on polyol esters, stabilizers for plastics, plasticizers, and pigment coatings based on titanium dioxide. Trimethylolethane based resins have superior weatherability and resistance to alkali and heat. Trimethylolethane is used in some phase change materials. The typical composition is then 63 wt.% TME with 37 wt.% water. The mixture has melting point of 29.8 °C and heat of fusion 218 kJ/kg. Nitration of trimethylolethane gives trimethylolethane trinitrate, an explosive, monopropellant, and energetic plasticizer.