Glycol

Glycol is a simple polyol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, viscous liquid. Glycols are widely used as antifreezes in low-temperature heat-exchange applications.

Chemical Structure

Glycol is an alcohol with two hydroxyl groups on adjacent carbon atoms (a 1,2-diol). The term "glycol" is used when there are exactly two hydroxyl groups. The common name ethylene glycol literally means “the glycol derived from ethylene.”

Uses

Glycols are widely used as antifreezes in low-temperature heat-exchange applications. The hydroxyl groups on glycols undergo the same types of reactions as seen with other types of alcohol. They can be either oxidized to give aldehydes, ketones, or carboxylic acids, or they can be esterified with carboxylic acids or transesterified with another ester.

Health Effects

Ethylene glycol is moderately toxic, with an oral LDLo = 786 mg/kg for humans. The major danger is due to its sweet taste. Because of that, children and animals are more inclined to consume large quantities of it than of other poisons. Upon ingestion, ethylene glycol is oxidized to glycolic acid, which is, in turn, oxidized to oxalic acid, which is toxic.

See Also

• Polyethylene glycol
• Propylene glycol
• Ethylene glycol poisoning

References

Glycol Resources
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