General Description
White crystalline solid. Melting point 130°C.
Reactivity Profile
2,2-DIMETHYLPROPANE-1,3-DIOL(126-30-7) may generate toxic gases in combination of with alkali metals, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. Reacts with inorganic acids and carboxylic acids to form esters plus water. Converted to aldehydes or acids by oxidizing agents. May initiate the polymerization of isocyanates and epoxides.
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water.
Health Hazard
May be harmful by ingestion or skin absorption. Causes eye and skin irritation. Material is irritating to mucous membrane and upper respiratory tract. INHALATION: Call for medical aid. Remove to fresh air. If breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Emits toxic fumes under fire condition.
Chemical Properties
white solid
Uses
In the manufacture of plasticizers, polyesters, as modifier of alkyd resins.
Uses
NPG Glycol is used in the synthesis of tetraphenylporphyrins. Also used in the synthesis of Bryostatin 2, a protein kinase modulator.
Definition
ChEBI: Neopentyl glycol is a propane-1,3-diol carrying two methyl groups at position 2.
Preparation
3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropanal) could be reduced to neopentyl glyco. Hydroxypivaldehyde can be reduced either by a crossed Cannizzaro reaction with equimolar amounts of formaldehyde and a base, or by catalytic hydrogenation. If inorganic bases such as potassium carbonate or sodium hydroxide are used as catalysts, satisfactory yields (ca. 80 %) of neopentyl glycol can be obtained only with an excess of isobutyraldehyde. Tertiary amines are also used as catalysts for the aldol addition. Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of the aldol intermediate is also possible using formate salts as hydrogen source. After fractional distillation a very good yield of high-purity neopentyl glycol is obtained.
benefits
Neopentyl Glycol is known for its skin conditioning properties. This means it helps to maintain the skin in good condition.
Flammability and Explosibility
Nonflammable
Solubility in water
Neopentyl glycol is soluble in water, alcohols, and ketones, moderately soluble in hot
aromatic solvents, such as benzene and toluene,
and relatively insoluble in aliphatic and cycloaliphatic solvents.
storage
During storage, higher temperatures and
stacking pressures can lead to caking of the lower
stack layers. As a hygroscopic material, 2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-propanediol must be stored dry. The product is also
sold as 90 % aqueous solution, which should be
stored at 55 – 60 ℃ to avoid precipitation, and as
a 100 % melt.
Purification Methods
Crystallise the diol from *benzene or acetone/water (1:1). [Beilstein 1 IV 2551.]
Toxics Screening Level
The ITSL for neopentyl glycol will be set at the default screening level of 0.1 μg/m3 with annual averaging under R232.
References
[1] Amundarain, I., López-Montenegro, S., Asueta, A., Arnaiz, S., Pereda-Ayo, B. (2024). Neopentyl glycol as an alternative solvent for the chemical recycling of complex PET waste. Materials Advances, 3, 1042–1050.
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MA00919C
