Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
POLYALCOHOLS
Dihydric alcohol or glycol (two hydroxyl groups):
CH
2
OHCH
2
OH
ethylene glycol
Trihydric alcohol (three hydroxyl groups):
CH
2
OHCHOHCH
2
OH
glycerine or glycerol (common name)
Tetrahydric alcohol:
CH
2
OH
HOCH
2
C
CH
2
OH
CH
2
OH
pentaerythritol (common name)
There may be more than one hydroxyl group in an organic molecule. Poly-
alcohols are widely found in nature as all starchs and sugars are polyalcohols
including sucrose (table sugar), and all fats, both vegetable and animal, are
derivatives of glycerine.
Ethylene glycol is the principal ingredient in automobile antifreeze and
is also used to make polyester textile fibers such as “Dacron.” Glycerine is
recovered as a by-product in the manufacture of soap and is used in cosmet-
ics. Both glycerine and pentaerythritol are also used in the manufacture of
paint and explosives.
