Chemical Forums

Specialty Chemistry Forums => Other Sciences Question Forum => Topic started by: wileyone on September 08, 2012, 03:01:47 PM

Title: Difference between glycerin and glycerol
Post by: wileyone on September 08, 2012, 03:01:47 PM

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.

Title: Re: Difference between glycerin and glycerol
Post by: discodermolide on September 08, 2012, 04:02:27 PM

There is no difference, they both refer to the same thing.

Title: Re: Difference between glycerin and glycerol
Post by: Arkcon on September 08, 2012, 04:10:12 PM

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. ;)

Title: Re: Difference between glycerin and glycerol
Post by: wileyone on September 08, 2012, 04:40:36 PM

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.

Title: Re: Difference between glycerin and glycerol
Post by: Babcock_Hall on September 08, 2012, 05:01:53 PM

Propylene glycol is a less toxic antifreeze than ethylene glycol.  It has the same number of carbons as glycerol, but one fewer hydroxyl group.