Technical Data Sheet

Dow Propylene Oxide

General Propylene Oxide (PO) is an extremely versatile chemical intermediate used to produce a
Description wide range of industrial and commercial products. It is among the top 50 chemicals
produced, by volume, in the world. Propylene oxide is manufactured globally by The Dow
Chemical Company at five integrated sites in the United States, Germany, Thailand and
Brazil. Dow supplies PO only in bulk quantities.

Propylene oxide is a colorless, low-boiling and highly volatile liquid with a sweet, ether-like
odor. It is highly flammable and reactive, and storage and unloading areas must be
appropriately designed and monitored. Dow offers technical support and Product
Stewardship for all our customers and includes periodic safe handling and storage reviews,
and training.

Typical Chemical Name 1,2-epoxypropane

Component Synonyms 2-methyloxirane
Properties(1) 1,2-propylene oxide
methyl ethylene oxide
Formula C3H6O
Molecular Weight (g/mol) 58.08
CAS Number 000075-56-9
EINECS Number 200-879-2
Vapor Density (Air = 1.0) 2.0
Vapor Pressure, 25°C (77°F) 71.7 kPa (538 mm Hg)
Freezing Point -111.93°C (-169.47°F)
Boiling Point, 101.3 kPa 34.2°C (93.56°F)
Specific Gravity, 25/25°C (77°F) 0.8253
Density 25°C (77°F) 0.821 g/cm3 (6.861 lb/gal)
Refractive Index n20/D°C (68°F) 1.36610
n25/D°C (77°F) 1.36335
Viscosity, 25°C (77°F) 0.305 centipoise (mPa.s)
Specific Heat, 0°C (32°F) 2.08 J/(g°K) (0.5 Btu/lb/°F)
Auto-Ignition Temperature, in Air, 101.3 kPa 449°C (840.2°F)
Explosive limits, in Air, 25°C (77°F), 101.3 2.3-37.0 vol %
kPa
Flash Point, TAG-Closed Cup -37.2°C (-35°F)
Heat of Combustion, 25°C (77°F), 101.3 -33035 kJ/kg
kPa
Heat of Vaporization, 101.3 kPa 465.7 kJ/kg
Solubility in Water, at 20°C (68°F) 40.5 wt %
Solubility of Water in Propylene Oxide at 14.7 wt %
20°C (68°F)

1. These are typical values and should not be construed as specifications.

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Applications Propylene oxide is used worldwide as an intermediate to produce numerous downstream
materials. Polyether Polyols consume the largest share of propylene oxide using between
60-70% of the total global volume. Propylene glycols consume another 20% of the total, and
propylene glycol ethers consume about 5%.

1. Polyether polyols
• Base or acid catalyzed polymerization of propylene oxide with polyhydric alcohols
and/or other alkylene oxides like ethylene or butylene oxide, yields polymers with a
wide possible range of molecular weight and structural diversity.
• The primary application for such polyols is in the manufacture of flexible or rigid
polyurethane foams.
• Non-polyurethane applications include surface active agents (surfactants) for
household and industrial detergents, paints, adhesives, textiles, defoamers, oil field
chemicals, cosmetics, functional fluids and lubricants in metal working, heat
transfer fluids and automotive brake fluids.

2. Propylene glycols
• Reaction of propylene oxide with water leads to monopropylene glycol (MPG) with
subsequent reactions leading to di-(DPG), tri-(TPG) and higher propylene glycols.
• Propylene glycols are used in a wide range of applications, including use as raw
materials for unsaturated polyester resins, humectants in pharmaceuticals,
cosmetics and food, heat transfer fluids, antifreezes and aircraft deicers.

3. Propylene glycol ethers

• Propylene glycol ethers are formed by base catalyzed reaction of PO with alcohols
like methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol or phenol. Subsequent reaction with
additional PO leads to the corresponding di-, tri- and higher glycol ethers.
• Propylene glycol ethers are used as solvents and coupling agents in paints and in
the production of coatings, inks, resins and cleaners.

4. Other propoxylated derivatives

• Reaction of propylene oxide with phosphorous compounds yields flame retardants,
used, for example, in polyurethane foams, textiles and flooring materials.
• Reaction with ammonia yields isopropanolamines used as solvents in natural gas
purification, as metal working fluids, and in cosmetics.
• Reaction with acrylic or methacrylic acid forms hydroxypropylacrylates, which can
be used in UV-curable resins, inks, coatings, varnishes, floorings, and automotive
parts.
• Propoxylated carbohydrates like cellulose and starch are used in applications in
the construction, paint, food and pharmaceutical industries.

Storage and For more details about product handling and safety information, please refer to the Dow
Handling Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Product The Dow Chemical Company and its subsidiaries (“Dow”) has a fundamental concern for all who make,
Stewardship distribute, and use its products, and for the environment in which we live. This concern is the basis for
our Product Stewardship philosophy by which we assess the safety, health, and environmental
information on our products and then take appropriate steps to protect employee and public health and
our environment. The success of our Product Stewardship program rests with each and every
individual involved with Dow products ─ from the initial concept and research, to manufacture, use,
sale, disposal, and recycle of each product.

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Safety Material Safety Data (MSD) sheets are available from The Dow Chemical Company. MSD sheets are
Considerations provided to help customers satisfy their own handling, safety and disposal needs and those that may
be required by locally applicable health and safety regulations. MSD sheets are updated regularly,
therefore, please request and review the most current MSD sheet before handling or using any product.
These are available from the nearest Dow sales office.

Customer Notice Dow encourages its customers to review their application of Dow products from the standpoint of
human health and environmental quality. To help ensure that Dow products are not used in ways for
which they were not intended or tested, Dow personnel will assist customers in dealing with ecological
and products safety. Your Dow sales representative can arrange the proper contacts.

Contact information: NOTICE: No freedom from infringement of any patent owned by Dow or others is to be inferred. Because use conditions and applicable
For more information about this product laws may differ from one location to another and may change with time, Customer is responsible for determining whether products and
please call The Dow Chemical Company. the information in this document are appropriate for Customer's use and for ensuring that Customer's workplace and disposal practices
are in compliance with applicable laws and other government enactments. The product shown in this literature may not be available for
North America: 1-800-447-4369 sale and/or available in all geographies where Dow is represented. The claims made may not have been approved for use in all countries.
Latin America: (+55) 11-5184-8722 Dow assumes no obligation or liability for the information in this document. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean the Dow legal
Europe: (+31) 11-567-2626 entity selling the products to Customer unless otherwise expressly noted. NO WARRANTIES ARE GIVEN; ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES
Asia/Pacific: (+60) 3-7965-5392 OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED
http://www.dow.com/propyleneglycol/ .

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