Propylene glycol (CHEM003735)

IdentificationTaxonomyBiological PropertiesPhysical PropertiesToxicity ProfileSpectraConcentrationsLinksReferencesTargets (3)XML
Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2014-09-11 05:16:11 UTC
Update Date2026-05-14 17:18:05 UTC
Accession NumberCHEM003735
Identification
Common NamePropylene glycol
ClassSmall Molecule
DescriptionPropylene glycol (1,2-propanediol) is an organic compound (a diol alcohol), usually a tasteless, odorless, and colorless clear oily liquid that is hygroscopic and miscible with water, acetone, and chloroform. It is manufactured by the hydration of propylene oxide. Propylene glycol is used as a solvent for intravenous, oral, and topical pharmaceutical preparations It is generally considered safe. However in large doses it can be toxic, especially if given over a short period of time. Intravenous lorazepam contains the largest amount of propylene glycol of commonly used drugs. In adults with normal liver and kidney function, the terminal half-life of propylene glycol ranges from 1.4 to 3.3 hours. Propylene glycol is metabolized by the liver to form lactate, acetate, and pyruvate. The nonmetabolized drug is excreted in the urine mainly as the glucuronide conjugate, approximately 12 to 45 percent is excreted unchanged in urine. Renal clearance decreases as the dose administered increases (390 ml/minute/173 m2 at a dose of 5 g/day but only 144 ml/minute/173 m2 at a dose of 21 g/day). These data suggest that renal clearance declines at higher propylene glycol doses because of saturation of proximal tubular secretion of the drug. As an acceptable level of propylene glycol has not been defined, the clinical implication of a propylene glycol level is unclear. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum consumption of 25 mg/kg/day (1.8 g/day for a 75 kg male) of propylene glycol when used as a food additive, but this limit does not address its use as a drug solvent. No maximum dose is recommended in the literature for intravenous therapy with propylene glycol. Intoxication occurs at much higher doses than the WHO dose limit and is exclusive to pharmacologic exposure. Propylene glycol toxicity includes development of serum hyperosmolality, lactic acidosis, and kidney failure. It has been suggested that proximal tubular necrosis is the cause of acute kidney injury from propylene glycol. Along these lines, proximal tubular cell injury occurs in cultured human cells exposed to propylene glycol. Acute tubular necrosis was described with propylene glycol toxicity in a case of concomitant administration of intravenous lorazepam and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. Propylene glycol induced intoxication can also mimic sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Patients suspected of having sepsis with negative cultures should be evaluated for propylene glycol toxicity if they have been exposed to high dose lorazepam or other medications containing this solvent. (2)
Contaminant Sources
  • Cosmetic Chemicals
  • EAFUS Chemicals
  • FooDB Chemicals
  • HMDB Contaminants - Urine
  • HPV EPA Chemicals
  • IARC Carcinogens Group 3
  • OECD HPV Chemicals
  • STOFF IDENT Compounds
  • T3DB toxins
  • ToxCast & Tox21 Chemicals
Contaminant Type
  • Food Additive
  • Food Toxin
  • Household Toxin
  • Industrial/Workplace Toxin
  • Metabolite
  • Organic Compound
  • Solvent
  • Synthetic Compound
Chemical Structure
Thumb
MOLSDFPDBSMILESInChI
Synonyms
ValueSource
1,2-DihydroxypropaneChEBI
1,2-PropanediolChEBI
1,2-PropylenglykolChEBI
2-HydroxypropanolChEBI
alpha-PropyleneglycolChEBI
CH3CH(OH)CH2OHChEBI
HOCH2CH(OH)CH3ChEBI
HOCH2CH(OH)MeChEBI
Isopropylene glycolChEBI
MeCH(OH)CH2OHChEBI
Methyl glycolChEBI
Methylethyl glycolChEBI
Methylethylene glycolChEBI
Monopropylene glycolChEBI
PPDChEBI
a-PropyleneglycolGenerator
Α-propyleneglycolGenerator
(RS)-1,2-PropanediolHMDB
1,2-(RS)-PropanediolHMDB
1,2-Propylene glycolHMDB
2,3-PropanediolHMDB
a-Propylene glycolHMDB
Aliphatic alcoholHMDB
alpha-Propylene glycolHMDB
Chilisa feHMDB
DL-1,2-PropanediolHMDB
DL-Propylene glycolHMDB
DowfrostHMDB
GlycolHMDB
Ilexan pHMDB
Inhibited 1,2-propylene glycolHMDB
ProlugenHMDB
Propane-1,2-diolHMDB
PropanediolHMDB
Propylene glycol uspHMDB
PropylenglycolHMDB
Sentry propylene glycolHMDB
SirleneHMDB
Solar winter banHMDB
Solargard pHMDB
Trimethyl glycolHMDB
Ucar 35HMDB
Propan-1,2-diolHMDB
Monohydrate, propylene glycolHMDB
Propylene glycol, (R)-isomerHMDB
Propylene glycol, (S)-isomerHMDB
1,2 PropanediolHMDB
Glycol, propyleneHMDB
Propylene glycol, (+-)-isomerHMDB
Propylene glycol monohydrateHMDB
Propylene glycol sodium saltHMDB
Chemical FormulaC3H8O2
Average Molecular Mass76.094 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass76.052 g/mol
CAS Registry Number57-55-6
IUPAC Namepropane-1,2-diol
Traditional Name1,2-propanediol
SMILESCC(O)CO
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/C3H8O2/c1-3(5)2-4/h3-5H,2H2,1H3
InChI KeyDNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Chemical Taxonomy
Description belongs to the class of organic compounds known as 1,2-diols. These are polyols containing an alcohol group at two adjacent positions.
KingdomOrganic compounds
Super ClassOrganic oxygen compounds
ClassOrganooxygen compounds
Sub ClassAlcohols and polyols
Direct Parent1,2-diols
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • Secondary alcohol
  • 1,2-diol
  • Hydrocarbon derivative
  • Primary alcohol
  • Aliphatic acyclic compound
Molecular FrameworkAliphatic acyclic compounds
External Descriptors
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginExogenous
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
  • Extracellular
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue Locations
  • Intestine
  • Muscle
  • Nerve Cells
  • Platelet
  • Skin
  • Stratum Corneum
  • Testes
Pathways
NameSMPDB LinkKEGG Link
Pyruvate MetabolismSMP00060 map00620
ApplicationsNot Available
Biological RolesNot Available
Chemical RolesNot Available
Physical Properties
StateLiquid
AppearanceNot Available
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting Point-60°C
Boiling Point187.6°C
Solubility1E+006 mg/L (at 20°C)
Predicted Properties
PropertyValueSource
Water Solubility952 g/LALOGPS
logP-1.1ALOGPS
logP-0.79ChemAxon
logS1.1ALOGPS
pKa (Strongest Acidic)14.47ChemAxon
pKa (Strongest Basic)-2.9ChemAxon
Physiological Charge0ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count2ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count2ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area40.46 ŲChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count1ChemAxon
Refractivity18.97 m³·mol⁻¹ChemAxon
Polarizability8.01 ųChemAxon
Number of Rings0ChemAxon
Bioavailability1ChemAxon
Rule of FiveYesChemAxon
Ghose FilterNoChemAxon
Veber's RuleNoChemAxon
MDDR-like RuleNoChemAxon
Spectra
Spectra
Spectrum TypeDescriptionSplash KeyView
GC-MSGC-MS Spectrum - GC-EI-TOF (Pegasus III TOF-MS system, Leco; GC 6890, Agilent Technologies) (Non-derivatized)splash10-014j-0900000000-d90655d5a614c4ddf998Spectrum
GC-MSGC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (2 TMS)splash10-014i-1900000000-ab4a1ff05d1275711170Spectrum
GC-MSGC-MS Spectrum - EI-B (Non-derivatized)splash10-0002-9000000000-a18bede40461dace657bSpectrum
GC-MSGC-MS Spectrum - EI-B (Non-derivatized)splash10-0002-9000000000-6d2345a66e2cf8d2d379Spectrum
GC-MSGC-MS Spectrum - GC-EI-TOF (Non-derivatized)splash10-014j-0900000000-d90655d5a614c4ddf998Spectrum
GC-MSGC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (Non-derivatized)splash10-014i-1900000000-ab4a1ff05d1275711170Spectrum
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (Non-derivatized) - 70eV, Positivesplash10-055g-9000000000-594a84f802409d0a8265Spectrum
Predicted GC-MSPredicted GC-MS Spectrum - GC-MS (2 TMS) - 70eV, Positivesplash10-0kp0-9520000000-ffe4848ba88742d1a4d6Spectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - Quattro_QQQ 10V, Positive (Annotated)splash10-0a7i-9000000000-6c96c59f8ba2e0e5353eSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - Quattro_QQQ 25V, Positive (Annotated)splash10-005d-9000000000-ae07e4049d24341335ecSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - Quattro_QQQ 40V, Positive (Annotated)splash10-00aj-9000000000-f455f8f0f79f9970711aSpectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - EI-B (HITACHI RMU-7M) , Positivesplash10-0002-9000000000-c5bf57086deb14e12495Spectrum
LC-MS/MSLC-MS/MS Spectrum - EI-B (HITACHI M-80B) , Positivesplash10-0002-9000000000-6d2345a66e2cf8d2d379Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positivesplash10-004i-9000000000-0a1a58ae50ca7bfbc92fSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positivesplash10-0a6r-9000000000-0c246d88e88be8375dd1Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positivesplash10-052f-9000000000-5e6c0456bbcc20afb607Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negativesplash10-004i-9000000000-5bf5d9d3c7cf604af9a3Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negativesplash10-056r-9000000000-3499fb432cd119926640Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negativesplash10-0a4i-9000000000-36c6bc6082b188beb665Spectrum
MSMass Spectrum (Electron Ionization)splash10-0002-9000000000-cbc512db1a4c5510015eSpectrum
1D NMR1H NMR SpectrumNot AvailableSpectrum
1D NMR1H NMR SpectrumNot AvailableSpectrum
1D NMR13C NMR SpectrumNot AvailableSpectrum
1D NMR1H NMR SpectrumNot AvailableSpectrum
1D NMR13C NMR SpectrumNot AvailableSpectrum
2D NMR[1H,13C] 2D NMR SpectrumNot AvailableSpectrum
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureNot Available
Mechanism of ToxicityNot Available
MetabolismNot Available
Toxicity ValuesNot Available
Lethal DoseNot Available
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Uses/SourcesPropylene glycol is used as a solvent for intravenous, oral, and topical pharmaceutical preparations It is generally considered safe. Intravenous lorazepam contains the largest amount of propylene glycol of commonly used drugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum consumption of 25 mg/kg/day (1.8 g/day for a 75 kg male) of propylene glycol when used as a food additive, but this limit does not address its use as a drug solvent.
Minimum Risk LevelNot Available
Health EffectsNot Available
SymptomsNot Available
TreatmentNot Available
Concentrations
Not Available
DrugBank IDDB01839
HMDB IDHMDB0001881
FooDB IDFDB008274
Phenol Explorer IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDC00007410
BiGG IDNot Available
BioCyc IDNot Available
METLIN ID3220
PDB IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkPropylene_glycol
Chemspider ID13835224
ChEBI ID16997
PubChem Compound ID1030
Kegg Compound IDC00583
YMDB IDYMDB01405
ECMDB IDECMDB01881
References
Synthesis Reference

Rudolf Huettinger, Ulrich Holtschmidt, “Polyoxyalkylene ethers of glycerin or 1,2-propanediol, esterified with fatty acid and/or isostearic acid, their synthesis and use as thickening or solubilizing agents.” U.S. Patent US4614622, issued June, 1968.

MSDSLink
General References
1. Tuck, Michael William Marshall. Preparation of propylene glycol by hydrogenation of glycerol. PCT Int. Appl. (2008), 20pp.
2. Tuck, Michael William Marshall. Preparation of propylene glycol by hydrogenation of glycerol. PCT Int. Appl. (2008), 20pp.
3. Brucks R, Nanavaty M, Jung D, Siegel F: The effect of ultrasound on the in vitro penetration of ibuprofen through human epidermis. Pharm Res. 1989 Aug;6(8):697-701.
4. Claverie F, Giordano-Labadie F, Bazex J: [Contact eczema induced by propylene glycol. Concentration and vehicle adapted for for patch tests]. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 1997;124(4):315-7.
5. Li N, Liu Z, Jia X, Cui W, Wang W, Zhang X, Han C, Chen J, Wang M: [Study on the toxicological effect of chloropropanols on rats]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2003 Jul;32(4):349-52.
6. Maltaris T, Dimmler A, Muller A, Binder H, Hoffmann I, Kohl J, Siebzehnrubl E, Beckmann MW, Dittrich R: The use of an open-freezing system with self-seeding for cryopreservation of mouse ovarian tissue. Reprod Domest Anim. 2005 Jun;40(3):250-4.
7. Li GL, van der Geest R, Chanet L, van Zanten E, Danhof M, Bouwstra JA: In vitro iontophoresis of R-apomorphine across human stratum corneum. Structure-transport relationship of penetration enhancement. J Control Release. 2002 Nov 7;84(1-2):49-57.
8. Fare JC, Guesnon P, Helouis JJ, Normand S, Andre JL, Duvaldestin P: [Intramuscular premedication with diazepam in a fat emulsion]. Cah Anesthesiol. 1984 May-Jun;32(4):303-6.
9. Reichard GA Jr, Skutches CL, Hoeldtke RD, Owen OE: Acetone metabolism in humans during diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetes. 1986 Jun;35(6):668-74.
10. Casazza JP, Frietas J, Stambuk D, Morgan MY, Veech RL: The measurement of 1,2-propanediol, D, L-2,3-butanediol and meso-2,3-butanediol in controls and alcoholic cirrhotics. Alcohol Alcohol Suppl. 1987;1:607-9.
11. Vaddi HK, Ho PC, Chan YW, Chan SY: Oxide terpenes as human skin penetration enhancers of haloperidol from ethanol and propylene glycol and their modes of action on stratum corneum. Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 Feb;26(2):220-8.
12. Silwood CJ, Lynch E, Claxson AW, Grootveld MC: 1H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic analysis of human saliva. J Dent Res. 2002 Jun;81(6):422-7.
13. Fernandez C, Marti-Mestres G, Ramos J, Maillols H: LC analysis of benzophenone-3: II application to determination of 'in vitro' and 'in vivo' skin penetration from solvents, coarse and submicron emulsions. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2000 Dec;24(1):155-65.
14. Vaddi HK, Ho PC, Chan SY: Terpenes in propylene glycol as skin-penetration enhancers: permeation and partition of haloperidol, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. J Pharm Sci. 2002 Jul;91(7):1639-51.
15. Gancevici GG: Role of complement inhibition in topical therapy of muco-cutaneous herpes simplex virus infections. Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol. 1993 Oct-Dec;52(4):293-303.
16. Liu JH, Gao D, He LQ, Moey LK, Hua K, Liu ZB: The phase diagram for the ternary system propylene glycol-sodium chloride-water and their application to platelet cryopreservation. Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi. 2003 Feb;11(1):92-5.
17. Rajasenan RS, Riley RJ, Leeder JS: Expression and inducibility of antigens in severe combined immunodeficient mice recognized by human anti-P450 antibodies. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1995 Nov;135(1):89-99.
18. Decherchi P, Lammari-Barreault N, Cochard P, Carin M, Rega P, Pio J, Pellissier JF, Ladaique P, Novakovitch G, Gauthier P: CNS axonal regeneration with peripheral nerve grafts cryopreserved by vitrification: cytological and functional aspects. Cryobiology. 1997 May;34(3):214-39.
19. Trottet L, Owen H, Holme P, Heylings J, Collin IP, Breen AP, Siyad MN, Nandra RS, Davis AF: Are all aciclovir cream formulations bioequivalent? Int J Pharm. 2005 Nov 4;304(1-2):63-71. Epub 2005 Sep 1.
20. Miller DL, Wildnauer RH: Thermoanalytical probes for the analysis of physical properties of stratum corneum. J Invest Dermatol. 1977 Sep;69(3):287-9.
21. Zar T, Graeber C, Perazella MA: Recognition, treatment, and prevention of propylene glycol toxicity. Semin Dial. 2007 May-Jun;20(3):217-9.
22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=15665701
23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=16078503
24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=18346395
25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=18845115
26. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=21616561