Chemical Forums
Specialty Chemistry Forums => Other Sciences Question Forum => Topic started by: wileyone on September 08, 2012, 03:01:47 PM
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A bit of help understanding the basic difference between glycerin and glycerol would be very helpful. Can't seen to get my head wrapped around the idea.
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There is no difference, they both refer to the same thing.
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An archaic name vs. a more archaic name, I'm sad to say. That's the difference between glycerol and glycerin(e). Notice now why we needed IUPAC naming: propane-1,2,3-triol tells you the carbon chain, tells you the modifiers, and where. And no one's going to change the meaning or spelling of 1, 2, or 3 anytime soon. ;)
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Your replies helped to clarify, thank you. Wiki is great and all but..
While bouncing around in Wiki land propylene glycol also came to my attention. Please notice how influenced I am by similar sounding compounds and such... ::)
Glycerol and propylene glycol are obviously different. Is it possible to explain in common household language how different? Any true similarities between them? Thank you for your patience.
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Propylene glycol is a less toxic antifreeze than ethylene glycol. It has the same number of carbons as glycerol, but one fewer hydroxyl group.