Propylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, and sweet-tasting liquid that is widely used as a solvent and additive in various industries. Learn about its structure, production, properties, uses, and hazards from this comprehensive article. Propylene glycol is a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water. Propylene glycol is also used to make polyester compounds, and as a base for deicing solutions. Propylene glycol is used by the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries as an antifreeze when leakage might lead to contact with food. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as an additive that is "generally recognized as safe" for use in food. It is used to absorb extra water and maintain ... Propylene glycol is a common food and cosmetics ingredient deemed generally safe by US and European food authorities. However, its use in antifreeze has caused some health concerns. The physicochemical properties of propylene glycol are similar to those of ethylene glycol . Its first recorded description was by Wurtz in 1859. Industrial-scale production of 1,2-propanediol from propylene oxide and water started in the 1930s and is still in use today. The process simultaneously yields di- and tripropylene glycols.
