glycerin

chemical compound

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June 29, 2026

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Glycerol, also known as glycerine, is a sweet, syrupy liquid belonging to the alcohol family of organic compounds. Its chemical formula is HOCH₂CHOHCH₂OH. It was first isolated in 1783 and initially obtained as a byproduct of soap manufacturing through the saponification of fats.12

Glycerol has numerous applications. It is a key ingredient in explosives like nitroglycerin, used in dynamite and blasting gelatin. It also serves as a solvent, moisturizing agent, plasticizer, and antifreeze. Its uses extend to products such as foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and as a protective medium for freezing biological tissues.21

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glycerol
The term glycerin (or glycerine), introduced in 1811 by French chemist Michel-Eugène Chevreul, is ordinarily applied to commercial materials containing more than 95 percent glycerol. Though Chevreul gave glycerin its name, the substance was first isolated in 1783 by German Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele, who described…
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The term glycerin (or glycerine), introduced in 1811 by French chemist Michel-Eugène Chevreul, is ordinarily applied to commercial materials containing more than 95 percent glycerol. Though Chevreul gave glycerin its name, the substance was first isolated in 1783 by German Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele, who described…
Read More