Industry Grade 99.5% Propylene Carbonate CAS 108-32-7

What is propylene carbonate? What are its uses?

What is Propylene carbonate?

Propylene carbonate (PC) is a cyclic carbonate formed from carbonic acid and propylene glycol. It is a mild solvent increasingly used in cosmetics and scientific research. Its chemical formula is usually written as:

C4H6O3 (CAS No.: 108-32-7, EINECS No.: 203-572-1, molecular weight approximately 102.09)

It is a colorless and odorless transparent liquid at room temperature, with a melting point of approximately -48.8℃, a boiling point of approximately 242℃, a relative density of approximately 1.205 (20℃), a refractive index of approximately 1.421, a flash point of approximately 132℃, and a dielectric constant as high as 64.9. Propylene carbonate is highly polar and has strong dissolving power, is miscible with most organic solvents, partially soluble in water, chemically stable, and has low toxicity. It is usually produced by the addition reaction of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide.

From a molecular structure perspective, propylene carbonate is a five-membered cyclic carbonate with strong polarity and a high dielectric constant due to the carbonate groups (-O-CO-O-) on the ring. This "high dielectric cyclic ester" structure endows it with excellent solubility—in cosmetics, it can dissolve oil-soluble ingredients and provide a refreshing, non-greasy feel; in scientific research, it is prepared by the addition reaction of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide and is a typical model molecule for green chemistry research on "CO2 fixation and conversion"; in analysis, it is a safe solvent with a high boiling point and low toxicity.

Chemically, propylene carbonate is stable and not easily hydrolyzed. It slowly decomposes and releases carbon dioxide only at high temperatures (above 240°C). It is flammable, with a flash point of approximately 132°C, low toxicity, and is mild and non-irritating to the skin. It should be stored in a sealed container away from heat sources.

Non-electronic and non-industrial grade propylene carbonate refers to products intended for cosmetics, testing, and scientific research applications, rather than for battery and electronic processes or large-scale industrial applications. These primarily include cosmetic and reagent grade specifications. Compared to electronic and industrial grades, these products place greater emphasis on the following indicators:

Content (purity)

Cosmetic and reagent-grade reagents require high content of main components (generally above 99%), as the content determines the effectiveness of the formulation and the accuracy of the analysis.

Heavy metal limits (lead, arsenic, etc.)

Products used in cosmetics have strict limits on harmful impurities such as heavy metals, which are important indicators to ensure safe use.

Moisture

Moisture content affects product stability and formulation compatibility, and must be controlled within a reasonable range.

Acidity (free acid)

Acidity affects product stability and skin feel, and must be controlled within standard limits.

Color (APHA)

It should be colorless and transparent. Abnormal color often indicates impurities or degradation, which affects the appearance of cosmetics.

What are the uses of Propylene carbonate?

1 personal care product

(1 ) Propylene carbonate is used as a moisturizer, solvent and spreader in skin care and cosmetic products. It helps to dissolve oil-soluble active ingredients and improve the skin feel. With its low toxicity, mildness and refreshing non-greasy properties, it has become a safe solvent in cosmetic formulations.

(2) Propylene carbonate is used as a solvent ingredient in make-up remover oils, make-up removers and cleansers. It helps dissolve make-up and oily dirt and is still gentle and non-irritating, making it a safe solvent choice for make-up remover products.

2. Lithium ion battery electrolyte solvent (core application)

Propylene carbonate (PC) is an important component of solvents in electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, primary lithium batteries and supercapacitors because of its high dielectric constant (64.9) and effective dissociation and dissolution of lithium salts. When combined with ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and other compounds, it improves the ionic conductivity and low temperature performance of the electrolyte.

3. Green industrial solvents

Propylene carbonate is a green polar solvent, with a high boiling point, high flash point, low toxicity and zero VOCs. It is used in coatings, inks, paint removers, electronic cleaning and industrial cleaning in place of toxic or highly volatile solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and halogenated hydrocarbons. It is a typical solvent of green chemistry.

4. Gas treatment and solvent purification

Propylene carbonate is a physical absorption solvent for the removal of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide from natural gas and synthesis gas. It is also used in carbon dioxide capture and preservation (CCUS) processes. It is used in the gas purification industry as it has high solubility and low corrosivity.

5. Extraction , separation, and analysis of solvents

Propylene carbonate can be used as an aromatic hydrocarbon extraction solvent to extract aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene from petroleum fractions. It is also suitable for the extraction and separation of other industrial materials. Simultaneously, it can be used as a high-boiling-point solvent and reaction medium in gas chromatography and liquid chromatography for the preparation of standard solutions and extraction analysis. Due to its low toxicity and high boiling point, it is a safe solvent for analytical laboratories.

6. Plasticizers

Propylene carbonate is a low toxic plasticiser used to improve the flexibility and processing properties of plastic and rubber products, and it is one of the choices for environmental friendly plasticisers.

7. Textile printing and dyeing auxiliaries

Acrylic carbonate is used as a dyeing carrier and co-solvent in textile printing and dyeing, helping dyes to be evenly applied to chemical fiber fabrics, and is also used in the preparation of printing pastes.

8. Electrolyte Solvent (Core Application)

( 1 ) Electronic grade propylene carbonate is an important solvent component of lithium-ion battery electrolyte. With its high dielectric constant (64.9), it dissociates and dissolves lithium salts. When used in combination with ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, etc., it improves the low-temperature performance and ionic conductivity of the electrolyte and is used in mobile phone, laptop and electric vehicle batteries.

( 2 ) Propylene carbonate is a standard solvent for electrolytes in supercapacitors (EDLCs). It has a high dielectric constant, a wide electrochemical window and good low-temperature performance, and is used in supercapacitors for electric buses, energy storage devices and fast charging systems.

( 3 ) Electronic grade propylene carbonate is used as an electrolyte in primary lithium batteries such as lithium-manganese dioxide batteries, helping to achieve long life, wide temperature range and low self-discharge, serving remote controls and smart instruments.

9. Electrolyte Additives and Formulation Development

Electronic-grade propylene carbonate is used for the dissolution and formulation development of electrolyte additives, helping to develop new electrolyte systems and improve the low-temperature performance, rate performance and cycle life of batteries.

10. Semiconductor and Electronic Cleaning

Electronic-grade propylene carbonate is used as a precision cleaning solvent for semiconductors and electronic components, helping to remove photoresist, flux residues, and particulate contaminants, and is one of the choices for high-purity electronic cleaning agents.

11. Battery Material Testing and Quality Control

Electronic-grade propylene carbonate is used as a solvent and quality control standard for battery material testing. It is used for the analysis of moisture, metal ions, and electrolyte performance and is a commonly used solvent in battery quality inspection laboratories.

12. Scientific Research and Green Chemistry Research (Research Level)

Propylene carbonate is produced by the addition reaction of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide. It is a classic model molecule for studying CO2 fixation and conversion, cyclic carbonate synthesis and green catalysts. It is also used in the study of organic synthesis reaction media, serving carbon emission reduction and green chemical research.

13. Customized Synthesis and Derivative Development

Propylene carbonate can be used to synthesize carbonate derivatives, propylene glycol compounds and intermediates, serving the research and development of fine chemicals and new materials, and is a basic raw material in the research and development stage.

It should be noted that non-electronic grade and non-industrial grade specifications do not mean "risk-free": propylene carbonate is flammable (flash point approximately 132°C), and should be handled away from fire sources and in well-ventilated areas; cosmetic grade products must meet safety technical specifications, and reagent grade products are for experimental use only and are strictly prohibited from consumption.

Summarize

Propylene carbonate (PC, CAS No. 108-32-7) is a colorless and odorless cyclic carbonate liquid with a melting point of approximately -48.8℃ and a boiling point of approximately 242℃. It has a high dielectric constant of 64.9 and is produced by the addition reaction of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide. It possesses excellent solubility, low toxicity and mildness, and the safety characteristics of a high boiling point. In daily life, we encounter it through cosmetics and personal care products, scientific research and university laboratories, teaching experiments, testing and quality control, and industrial supply chains. In non-electronic and non-industrial sectors, cosmetic-grade and reagent-grade propylene carbonate with a purity of over 99% is widely used in cosmetic emollients, makeup removers, analytical chemical solvents, CO2 fixation and conversion research, teaching experiments, and custom synthesis. It serves as a mild and safe solvent bridging "cyclic carbonate chemistry" with "cosmetics, testing, and scientific research."