What Is Trimethylolpropane?
Trimethylolpropane (TMP) is a solid organic compound, colorless to white, and slightly odoriferous at room temperature. It is available in both powder and pellet forms. TMP is also known as 2-ethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol or 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane.
It is completely soluble in water, alcohols, and acetone, and partially soluble in carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and ether. However, it is insoluble in aromatic hydrocarbons. TMP is flammable and reacts violently with strong oxidizing agents, necessitating careful handling and storage.
Uses of Trimethylolpropane
Trimethylolpropane serves as a raw material and intermediate in the production of polymer materials, including alkyd resins, polyurethanes, plasticizers, surfactants, wetting agents, fiber processing agents, and photographic chemicals. Its three hydroxyl groups allow for versatile chemical reactions, such as esterification with acrylic acid to form a cross-linker for radical polymerization. TMP is also used to cross-link urethane resins by reacting its hydroxyl groups with isocyanate groups (-N=C=O) to form a urethane bond.
Additionally, trimethylolpropane diallyl ether, where two hydroxyl groups are modified with an allyl group (-CH2CH=CH2) via an ether bond, is commercially available. This derivative is utilized in unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, and as a cross-linking agent for various other resins.