trimethylolethane
Trimethylolethane (TME) is the organic compound with the formula CH3C(CH2OH)3. This colorless solid is a triol, as it contains three hydroxy functional groups. More specifically, it features three primary alcohol groups in a compact neopentyl structure. Its esters are known for their resistance to heat, light, hydrolysis, and oxidation. More important than TME and closely related is trimethylolpropane (TMP).
Chemical data
- Formula
- C5H12O3
- Molecular weight
- 120.15 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol
via PubChem
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Article
5 sectionsContents
- Production
- Applications
- See also
- References
- External links
Trimethylolethane (TME) is the organic compound with the formula CH3C(CH2OH)3. This colorless solid is a triol, as it contains three hydroxy functional groups. More specifically, it features three primary alcohol groups in a compact neopentyl structure. Its esters are known for their resistance to heat, light, hydrolysis, and oxidation. More important than TME and closely related is trimethylolpropane (TMP).
==Production== Trimethylolethane is produced via a two step process, starting with the condensation reaction of propionaldehyde with formaldehyde: CH3CH2CHO + 2 CH2O → CH3C(CH2OH)2CHO The second step entails a Cannizzaro reaction: CH3C(CH2OH)2CHO + CH2O + NaOH → CH3C(CH2OH)3 + NaO2CH A few thousand tons are produced annually in this way.