Glycerol

Glycerol or glycerine is a clear, odorless, and viscous liquid that is commonly used in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, as well as in the chemical synthesis and creation of polyurethane foams. It is classified as a polyol, which is an organic compound containing multiple hydroxyl groups (-OH), making it a versatile and important chemical component. In recent years, there have been new developments in the use of glycerol in the field of chemistry. Research has shown that glycerol can serve as an efficient and eco-friendly alternative solvent for a wide range of chemical reactions, including the synthesis of various organic compounds. One of the most promising applications of glycerol is in the field of biocatalysis, where it can be used as a non-toxic and non-denaturing reaction medium for enzyme-catalyzed reactions. For example, glycerol has been shown to be a suitable solvent for lipase-catalyzed reactions, which are useful in the production of biodiesel from vegetable oils. Another area where glycerol has been found to be useful is in the design and synthesis of new materials, such as bio-based polymers and composites. Glycerol can serve as a renewable and biodegradable starting material for the synthesis of these materials, which have potential applications in areas such as packaging, textiles, and biomedical engineering. Finally, glycerol has also been found to have potential as a biofuel, as it has a high energy density and can be efficiently converted into various fuels, such as hydrogen and methane. Overall, the new developments in the use of glycerol in chemistry are exciting and have the potential to lead to more sustainable and efficient methods for chemical synthesis and material design.


From: Journal of New Developments in Chemistry

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Editor-in-chief: Zhe-Sheng Chen, Professor Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions St. John’s University
Publication Type: Open Access Journal
Description: Chemistry is a branch of physical science that studies the composition, structure, properties and change of matter. Chemistry includes topics such as the properties of individual atoms, how atoms form chemical bonds to create chemical compounds, the interactions of substances through inter molecular forces that give matter its general properties.