glycidol

Glycidol, or 2,3-epoxypropan-1-ol, is an aliphatic epoxide bearing a terminal hydroxyl group. Its molecular formula is C3H6O2. At room temperature it is a colorless, viscous liquid that is miscible with water and many organic solvents. The strained epoxide ring makes glycidol highly reactive toward nucleophiles and acids, and it undergoes ring-opening to give beta-hydroxy alcohols; it also forms glycidyl ethers when reacted with alcohols, enabling resin-forming chemistry.

Industrial production and uses: Glycidol is produced by several routes, including the epoxidation of allyl alcohol to form glycidol and subsequent transformations of the hydroxyl group to yield glycidyl ethers. It is a key building block for glycidyl ethers, which impart epoxy functionality to resins, coatings, and reactive diluents. It is also used to prepare glycidyl esters and related polymers.

Safety: Glycidol is reactive and potentially hazardous. It can irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract and is considered to have genotoxic potential; some authorities classify it as a possible carcinogen. It should be handled in a well-ventilated area with appropriate personal protective equipment, stored cool and away from acids and oxidizers, and stabilized against polymerization.