Triethyleneglycol (CAS 112-27-6) — Sweet Non-olfactive Note Fragrance Ingredient
Triethyleneglycol
CAS 112-27-6
What Is Triethyleneglycol?
Triethyleneglycol is a synthetic compound primarily used as a solvent and humectant in industrial applications. While not commonly found in consumer products, it may appear in some specialty formulations. This ingredient is valued for its ability to stabilize formulations and modify texture, though it has minimal direct fragrance impact.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Triethyleneglycol Smell Like?
Triethyleneglycol is nearly odorless with only a faint, slightly sweet chemical character. Its olfactory profile is neutral, making it more functional than aromatic. In formulations, it serves as a silent workhorse rather than a featured note, contributing texture and stability without altering scent profiles.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: OCCOCCOCCO
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Triethyleneglycol is a polyether compound with three ethylene glycol units. As a synthetic molecule, it’s produced through ethylene oxide oligomerization. Its structure features two terminal hydroxyl groups that contribute to hygroscopic properties. The molecule lacks chirality and exists as a single stereoisomer.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 285 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.125 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Additive | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Humectant and solvent |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use as a neutral carrier for difficult-to-dissolve materials.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Similar humectant properties with slightly lower viscosity.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions apply.
RIFM Assessment
Not currently assessed by RIFM as a fragrance material.
Sustainability
As a petrochemical derivative, triethyleneglycol’s environmental impact stems from fossil fuel sourcing. Synthetic production allows for consistent quality but carries higher carbon footprint than bio-based alternatives. Proper disposal is important due to potential aquatic toxicity.
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Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID4021393
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 150.174 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.12 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 285.938 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -6.07 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 168.776 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.451 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 135.313 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -1.198 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | -1.978 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | -1.513 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.58 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 6.659 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.001 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 14.567 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 39.751 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 190.632 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 58.92 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 7 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 36.406 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 14.433 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
