Trimethylolpropane, TMP, cas 77-99-6, is a white crystal or powder with three typical hydroxymethyl groups on its molecule, and thus has polyol properties similar to glycerol, which can react with organic acids to form mono- or multi-esters, with aldehydes and ketones to form acetals and ketones, and with diisocyanates to form carbamates, etc. It is a widely used chemical material and chemical product. Its main uses are as follows：
1. Synthesis of alkyd resins
Because of the special molecular structure of trimethylolpropane molecule containing three primary hydroxyl groups, it can replace glycerol to synthesize alkyd resin, and also can replace or share with neopentyl glycol, pentaerythritol and other polyols to produce alkyd resin. The alkyd resins synthesized from TMP have good compatibility with amino resins and can be used as raw materials for polyurethane coatings, as well as for urethane-based self-drying paints and drying paints and other high-grade coatings.
2. Synthetic advanced lubricant
Trimethylolpropane as raw material synthetic lubricant has the advantages of low melting point, high viscosity, high ignition point and strong anti-oxidation performance, etc. It is widely used in the lubrication of aircraft engines, and the operating temperature can reach above 200℃, and can also be used in the lubrication of automobile engines, air compressors and refrigerators, etc. Its performance is better than that of synthetic lubricants made of neopentyl glycol and other raw materials. In addition, the synthetic oil mainly made of trimethylolpropane can also be used in the processing of bearing steel.
3. Production of polyester polyol and polyurethane foam
Trimethylolpropane is widely used in the production of polyurethane elastomers and polyurethane foams. The urethane produced by TDI and 1,3-butanediol has the advantages of high hardness, good elasticity, wear resistance and anti-aging, etc. It is widely used in the manufacture of solid core tires, transportation belts, sponges, as well as in the thermal processing and aerospace industries; the polyether polyol with free hydroxyl groups produced by the reaction of TDI with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide is the main raw material for the production of flexible polyurethane foam. Polyether polyol with free hydroxyl group is the main raw material for the production of flexible polyurethane foam, which has both rubber and plastic properties and is characterized by high elasticity, wear resistance, wash resistance, durability and fluorescence, brightness, etc. It is especially suitable for the production of road marking paint, glossy paint, electrophoresis paint, etc. It can also be used in the manufacture of seat cushions, backrests, steering wheels, instruments, handrails, bumpers for aircraft, cars, trains and tires, shoe soles, solid core tires, conveyor belts, sponges, aerospace, thermal processing and building materials, etc. The polyester synthesized by trimethylolpropane and glycerol maleic acid has the characteristics of weather resistance, radiation resistance, softness and reduced polyester self-staining, etc., widely used as a substitute for construction materials and leather industry. In the production of foam, trimethylolpropane can also partially or fully replace 1,4-butanediol.
4. Preparation of plasticizers
In the presence of a non-acidic catalyst, trimethylolpropane reacts with mono-aromatic acids, C5 to C9 fatty acids to produce a compound ester, which is a good plasticizer with good performance, and the polymer added to this ester has good resistance to high temperature, hydrolysis, acid and alkali, and has good affinity with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In addition, trimethylolpropane can also be used as a substitute for isodecanol in the production of diisodecyl phthalate, an important advanced plasticizer, which is used in the production of special coatings such as cable wire.
5. Preparation of emulsifiers
Trimethylolpropane is partially esterified with a fatty acid and then reacted with ethylene oxide to produce a semi-solid compound, which has a good emulsification effect on oil/water emulsions and can be used as an emulsifier for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
6.Preparation of liquid fuel additives
Liquid fuel additives are produced by esterifying trimethylolpropane with oleic acid and then reacting with paraformaldehyde. After adding 0.5% to 1% of this substance, the liquid fuel can be purified and discharged without a vaporization device.
7. Production of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA)
Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) obtained by the esterification reaction of trimethylolpropane and acrylic acid is the most widely used multifunctional enolate reactive diluent in the field of radiation curing, with high double bond content, fast curing, wear resistance, solvent resistance and other properties, mainly used as a reactive diluent for UV-curable coatings and inks.
8. Production of trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTM)
Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTM), obtained by esterification of trimethylolpropane with methacrylic acid, is a multifunctional monomer, which can be used for setting PVC latex and cross-linking PVC coating line, and also used as anaerobic binder, rubber cross-linking agent and curing agent of ink, and also used for modification of coatings and resins.
9. Production of trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ester (TMPTE)
Trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ester (TMPTE) is produced by the reaction of trimethylolpropane and epichlorohydrin and can be used as reactive diluent for epoxy resin (epoxy resin coating), modifier for polyester and melamine resin, fiber processing agent (and adhesive modifier, etc.).
10. Other aspects
Trimethylolpropane is heated and reacted with phosphoric acid, dehydrated under vacuum, and then condensed with excess epichlorohydrin to produce 43 fire retardant polyether with excellent flame retardant properties, which can be reacted with isocyanate to produce flame retardant polyurethane resin; in addition, trimethylolpropane can be used as chain extender of resin, textile auxiliary, curing agent, releasing agent, catalyst, heat stabilizer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, and synthesis of various fine chemicals. It is also used in the synthesis of various fine chemicals and in the manufacture of liquid membrane electrodes with strong selectivity for sodium ions.
