Propylene glycol dinitrate
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 nitrate group. It is a characteristically and unpleasantly smelling[4] 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 vapor, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen gas.
- C3H6(ONO2)2 → 3 CO + 3 H2O + N2
Names | |
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IUPAC name
Propylene dinitrate | |
Other names
Propane-1,2-diyl dinitrate; 1,2-Bis(nitrooxy)propane | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.026.527 |
PubChem CID |
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |
C3H6N2O6 | |
Molar mass | 166.089 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | colorless liquid[1] |
Odor | disagreeable[1] |
Density | 1.232 g/cm3 (at 20 °C)[2] |
Melting point | −27.7 °C (−17.9 °F; 245.5 K)[2] |
Boiling point | 121 °C (250 °F; 394 K) (decomposes below boiling point) |
0.1% (20°C)[1] | |
Vapor pressure | 0.07 mmHg (22°C)[1] |
Hazards | |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose) |
930 mg kg−1 (IP, rat)[3] |
NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
PEL (Permissible) |
none[1] |
REL (Recommended) |
TWA 0.05 ppm (0.3 mg/m3) [skin][1] |
IDLH (Immediate danger) |
N.D.[1] |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references |
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.[3] [5]
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.[6]
References
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0535". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- Record of Propylenglycoldinitrat in the GESTIS Substance Database of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, accessed on 2. Dec. 2009.
- 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.
- "TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE FOR OTTO FUEL II AND ITS COMPONENTS" (PDF).
- 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.
- "Propylene glycol dinitrate". NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. Centers for Disease Control and Prevnetion.