1,1,1-Tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane is an intermediate in the production of alkyd and polyester resins, powder coating resins, synthetic lubricants based on polyol esters, stabilizers for plastics, plasticizers, and pigment coatings. It is used in some phase change materials.
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1,1,1-Tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane (2-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol) is made by aldol condensation of propionaldehyde with formaldehyde, followed by reaction of the intermediate 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propanal with excess formaldehyde in the presence of sodium hydroxide or lime as basic component. The resulting aqueous solution is freed from excess formaldehyde by distillation under pressure and further concentrated. The formate byproduct can be separated by extracting the trimethylolethane from the residue with organic solvents such as 2-propanol or by almost complete removal of the water and dissolving the trimethylolethane in acetone or methanol.
Purification Methods
Dissolve it in hot tetrahydrofuran, filter and precipitate it with hexane. It has also been crystallised from acetone/water (1:1). Dry it in a vacuum. [Beilstein 1 H 520, 1 IV 2780.]
