Triacetin

Chembox new
Name = Triacetin
ImageFile = Triacetin.svg
ImageName = Triacetin
IUPACName = 1,3-diacetyloxypropan-2-yl acetate
Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
CASNo = 102-76-1
SMILES = CC(=O)OCC(COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C
Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = C₉H₁₄O₆
MolarMass = 218.21 g/mol
Density = 1.1562 g/cm³
MeltingPt = 3 °C
BoilingPt = 258-260 °C

The triglyceride 1,2,3-triacetoxypropane is more generally known as triacetin and glycerin triacetate. It is the triester of glycerol and acetic acid.

It is an artificial chemical compound, commonly used as a food additive, for instance as a solvent in flavourings, and for its humectant function, with E number E1518 and Australian approval code A1518. Triacetin is also a component of casting liquor with TG.

Triacetin can also be used as a fuel additive as an antiknock agent which can reduce engine knocking in gasoline, and to improve cold and viscosity properties of biodiesel.

In a 1994 report released by five top cigarette companies, triacetin was listed as one of the 599 cigarette additives. [http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/nicotineinhaler/a/cigingredients.htm] The triacetin is applied to the filter as a plasticizer. [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6145511.html]

Because it is in some sense the simplest possible fat after glyceryl triformate, it is being considered a possible source of food energy in artificial food regeneration systems on long space missions. It is believed to be safe to get over half of one's dietary energy from triacetin.Fact|date=July 2007

References

*"Merck Index", 11th Edition, 9405.