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Triacetin

Catalog Number
ACMA00043826
CAS
102-76-1
Structure
IUPAC Name
2,3-Diacetyloxypropyl acetate
Synonyms
1,3-Diacetyloxypropan-2-yl acetate
Molecular Weight
218.2
Molecular Formula
C9H14O6
Canonical SMILES
CC(=O)OCC(COC(=O)C)OC(=O)C
InChI
InChI=1S/C9H14O6/c1-6(10)13-4-9(15-8(3)12)5-14-7(2)11/h9H,4-5H2,1-3H3
InChI Key
URAYPUMNDPQOKB-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Boiling Point
258-260 °C(lit.)
Melting Point
3 °C(lit.)
Flash Point
300 °F
Purity
99%+
Density
1.16 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
Solubility
Moderately soluble in water, soluble in organic solvents
Appearance
Clear colorless liquid
Application
Triacetin serves a versatile role across multiple industries primarily due to its unique chemical properties. It is a triglyceride formed by the acetylation of glycerol's three hydroxy groups, resulting in a colorless, viscous liquid with a slightly fatty odor. Known chemically as glyceryl triacetate, triacetin is predominantly employed as a hydrophilic plasticizer in the coating of capsules, tablets, beads, and granules, enhancing the flexibility and durability of these materials. Moreover, it finds application in cosmetics, perfumery, and the food industry as an effective solvent and fixative for perfumes and flavors. Triacetin also exhibits fungistatic properties because it releases acetic acid upon hydrolysis by skin esterases, which makes it useful in treating minor dermatophyte infections. This release of acetic acid, while beneficial, is self-limiting due to the inhibition of these enzymes at lower pH levels. Through its multifaceted functionality, triacetin effectively contributes to various formulations, offering enhanced performance and stability.
Storage
Sealed in dry, room temperature
Active Content
95%
Physical State
Liquid
Typical Applications
Use as dispersing agent, emulsion stabilizer.
Use as plasticizer.
Use as solvent.
Spec Sheet
Case Study

Triacetin as an Oxygenated Additive for Enhancing Combustion and Emission Performance in Algae Oil Biodiesel Blends

Triacetin as an Oxygenated Additive for Enhancing Combustion and Emission Performance in Algae Oil Biodiesel Blends Kalyani, Teku, Lankapalli Sathya Vara Prasad, and Aditya Kolakoti. Fuel 338 (2023): 127366.

This study investigates the role of triacetin, an oxygen-rich glycerol ester, as a combustion-enhancing additive in algae oil biodiesel-diesel blends (ABD40) for single-cylinder diesel engines. Triacetin was incorporated at 2-8% v/v, and performance, combustion, and exhaust emissions were evaluated under varying loads at constant speed.
Experimental results identified 4% triacetin in ABD40 as the optimal formulation, delivering peak in-cylinder combustion pressure at full load, surpassing both neat diesel fuel (DF) and other biodiesel blends. The improved combustion profile was attributed to triacetin's high oxygen content, elevated heating value, and increased cetane number, which collectively promoted more complete fuel oxidation. This formulation achieved a brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of 30.39%, exceeding other biodiesel-based fuels though remaining 7.23% lower than DF due to biodiesel's inherently higher viscosity and density.
Notably, 4% triacetin in ABD40 achieved significant emission reductions at full load: CO by 25.51%, NOx by 12.81%, unburned hydrocarbons by 70.53%, and smoke opacity by 14.85% relative to DF. The improvements were attributed to enhanced combustion completeness and lower carbon-carbon bond content per unit energy. However, excessive triacetin loading (8%) led to increased CO emissions, highlighting the importance of optimized dosing.
These findings demonstrate that triacetin serves as an effective multifunctional additive in biodiesel systems, balancing performance enhancement with substantial emission mitigation. At 4% loading, triacetin in ABD40 emerges as a viable, cleaner-burning alternative to petro-diesel in compression ignition engines.

Triacetin as a Sustainable Solvent for Green Production of Poly(L-lactide) Microspheres in Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing

Triacetin as a Sustainable Solvent for Green Production of Poly(L-lactide) Microspheres in Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing Dechet, Maximilian A., et al. Additive Manufacturing 32 (2020): 100966.

This study presents triacetin, a non-toxic and environmentally benign solvent, as a key enabler for the sustainable production of highly spherical poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) microspheres tailored for polymer powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing. Using a liquid-liquid phase separation and precipitation strategy, the PLLA-triacetin system was optimized through cloud-point diagram analysis to define precise thermal profiles for particle formation.
The resulting PLLA particles exhibited a narrow size distribution, high sphericity, and intrinsic surface roughness, translating to exceptional powder flowability without the need for nanoparticulate flow agents. Thermal characterization revealed a broad sintering window of 59 K, enabling stable layer-by-layer fusion. Processing trials demonstrated successful fabrication of dense tensile specimens and architecturally complex gyroid scaffolds directly via PBF.
Compared to conventional PLLA powder production methods relying on hazardous halogenated solvents, the triacetin-based process completely eliminates toxic chemicals, significantly reducing environmental and occupational health risks. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed uniform sintering and strong interlayer adhesion, with mechanical testing indicating tensile properties comparable to fused filament fabrication (FFF) counterparts.
This work underscores triacetin's dual role as a green solvent and process facilitator-achieving both sustainable particle synthesis and high-performance 3D printing outcomes. The methodology opens pathways for biomedical-grade, biodegradable PLLA parts with potential for load-bearing scaffolds, while offering flexibility for future functionalization with bioactive agents or pharmaceuticals. Triacetin thus represents a scalable, eco-friendly solution for advanced polymer additive manufacturing.

Triacetin as an Oxygenated Additive in Waste Cooking Biodiesel for Engine Performance and Emission Modulation

Triacetin as an Oxygenated Additive in Waste Cooking Biodiesel for Engine Performance and Emission Modulation Zare, Ali, et al. Fuel 182 (2016): 640-649.

This study evaluates triacetin as an oxygenated additive in waste cooking biodiesel (WCB) to assess its influence on combustion behavior, performance, and exhaust emissions in a fully instrumented 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine equipped with a common rail injection system. Fuel blends with varying oxygen contents, derived by incorporating triacetin into WCB, were analyzed under a custom cycle, with the oxygen ratio employed as a key parameter for combustion interpretation.
Results showed that increasing oxygen content generally reduced indicated and brake powers, as well as CO₂, CO (at higher loads), HC, particulate matter (PM), and particle number (PN), while elevating brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), and NOx. Notably, B100 biodiesel with 11% oxygen and a high cetane number yielded the lowest HC emissions-51-64% lower than diesel (D100)-due to shortened ignition delay. However, adding triacetin lowered the cetane number of WCB blends, leading to higher HC emissions despite increased oxygen availability. This effect was compounded by the higher viscosity and density of triacetin-containing blends, which impaired air-fuel mixing and promoted incomplete combustion.
In PM formation, oxygen content was the dominant mitigating factor, whereas for HC emissions, fuel cetane number and physical properties exerted greater influence. The study highlights that while triacetin enhances the oxygen ratio and can support particulate reduction, optimization of blend composition and combustion parameters is essential to balance NOx, HC, and performance outcomes for sustainable diesel engine operation.

Custom Q&A

What is the molecular weight of Triacetin?

The molecular weight of Triacetin is 218.2.

What is the IUPAC name of Triacetin?

The IUPAC name of Triacetin is 2,3-Diacetyloxypropyl acetate.

What is the boiling point of Triacetin?

The boiling point of Triacetin is 258-260 °C.

What is the melting point of Triacetin?

The melting point of Triacetin is 3°C.

What is the appearance of Triacetin?

Triacetin appears as a clear transparent oily liquid with a bitter taste.

What are some typical applications of Triacetin?

Some typical applications of Triacetin include use as a dispersing agent, emulsion stabilizer, plasticizer, and solvent.

What is the purity of Triacetin?

The purity of Triacetin is 95%+.

What is the density of Triacetin at 25°C?

The density of Triacetin is 1.16 g/mL at 25°C.

What is the CAS number of Triacetin?

The CAS number of Triacetin is 102-76-1.

What are some synonyms for Triacetin?

Some synonyms for Triacetin are Glyceryl triacetate and 1,2,3-triacetoxypropane.

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