Propylene glycol dinitrate

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Propylene glycol dinitrate
Names
IUPAC name
Propylene dinitrate
Other names
Propane-1,2-diyl dinitrate;
1,2-Bis(nitrooxy)propane
Identifiers
6423-43-4
ChEMBL ChEMBL206527 Yes
ChemSpider 21472 Yes
Jmol-3D images Image
PubChem 22933
Properties
Molecular formula
C3H6N2O6
Molar mass 166.09 g·mol−1
Density 1.232 g/cm³ (at 20 °C)[1]
Melting point −27.7 °C (−17.9 °F; 245.5 K) [1]
Boiling point 121 °C (250 °F; 394 K) (decomposes below boiling point)
Hazards
930 mg kg−1 (IP, rat)[2]
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

Propylene glycol dinitrate (PGDN, 1,2-propylene glycol dinitrate, or 1,2-propanediol dinitrate) is an organic chemical, an ester of nitric acid and propylene glycol. It is structurally similar to nitroglycerin, except that it has one fewer -O-NO2 group. It is a characteristically and unpleasantly smelling[3] colorless liquid, which decomposes at 121 °C, below its boiling point. It is flammable and explosive. It is shock-sensitive and burns with a clean flame producing water, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen.

C3H6(ONO2)2 → 3 CO + 3 H2O + N2

The principal current use of propylene glycol dinitrate is as a propellant in Otto Fuel II, together with 2-nitrodiphenylamine and dibutyl sebacate. Otto Fuel II is used in some torpedoes as a propellant.[2] [4]

Nitrates of polyhydric alcohols, of which propylene glycol dinitrate is an example, have been used in medicine for the treatment of angina pectoris, and as explosives since the mid-nineteenth century.

PGDN affects blood pressure, causes respiratory toxicity, damages liver and kidneys, distorts vision, causes methoglobinuria, and can cause headache and lack of coordination. It may be absorbed through skin. Its primary toxicity mechanism is methemoglobinemia. It may cause permanent nerve damage.

For occupational exposures, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has set a recommended exposure limit at 0.05 ppm (0.3 mg/m3) over an eight hour workday, for dermal exposures.[5]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Record of Propylenglycoldinitrat in the GESTIS Substance Database of the IFA, accessed on 2. Dec. 2009
  2. 2.0 2.1 Forman, S (1988). "A review of propylene glycol dinitrate toxicology and epidemiology". Toxicology Letters 43 (1–3): 51–65. doi:10.1016/0378-4274(88)90020-3. PMID 3051528.
  3. "TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR OTTO FUEL II AND ITS COMPONENTS" (PDF).
  4. Horvath, Edward P.; Ilka, Richard A.; Boyd, James; Markham, Thomas (1981). "Evaluation of the neurophysiologic effects of 1,2-propylene glycol dinitrate by quantitative ataxia and oculomotor function tests". American Journal of Industrial Medicine 2 (4): 365–78. doi:10.1002/ajim.4700020407. PMID 6980592.
  5. "Propylene glycol dinitrate". NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Centers for Disease Control and Prevnetion.