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Alcohols and polyols

Trimethylolethane

Also known as 1,1,1-Tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane, Methriol, Metriol

CAS 77-85-0Formula C5H12O3Molar mass 120.15 g/molEC 201-063-9
11 suppliers listed
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Trimethylolethane chemical structure, C5H12O3, CAS 77-85-0
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
White powder or needles from alcohol
Melting point
204 °C
Boiling point
283 °C
Density
1.210 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Solubility
Miscible in water and ethanol, insoluble in diethyl ether and benzene, very soluble in a…
HS code
290549
Category
Alcohols and polyols
Illustrative photo, white powder in small glass vials on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Trimethylolethane?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Trimethylolethane is a chemical substance with the molecular formula C5H12O3 and a molar mass of 120.15 g/mol. Its CAS registry number is 77-85-0. The IUPAC name is 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol
CAS number
77-85-0 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
201-063-9
Molecular formula
C5H12O3
UNII
5D10NYN23W
MDL number
MFCD00004687
InChIKey
QXJQHYBHAIHNGG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C5H12O3/c1-5(2-6,3-7)4-8/h6-8H,2-4H2,1H3
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CC(CO)(CO)CO

Synonyms

  • 1,1,1-Tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane
  • Methriol
  • Metriol
  • Pentaglycerine
  • Methyltrimethanolmethane
  • Ethylidynetrimethanol
  • Tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane
  • 1,1,1-Trimethylolethane
  • Methyltrimethylolmethane
  • 1,3-Propanediol, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-
  • 1,1,1-Trimethanolethane
  • 1,1,1-Tris(methylol)ethane
  • Ethane, 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)-
  • 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol
  • 2-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol
  • 2-Hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol
  • TME
  • Trimethlolethane
  • 1,1-Trimethanolethane
  • 1,1-Trimethylolethane
  • tris-(hydroxymethyl)ethane
  • 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-propane-1,3-diol
  • 1,1-Tris(methylol)ethane
  • 1,1-Tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane
  • 1,1,1-trishydroxymethyl ethane
Show all 29 synonyms
  • Ethane,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)-
  • 1, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-
  • 1,1,1-Tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane, >=98%
  • 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-1,3propanediol

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
White powder or needles from alcoholexp.
Melting point
204 °Cexp.
Boiling point
283 °Cexp.
Density
1.210 g/cm³ at 20 °Cexp.
Solubility
Miscible in water and ethanol, insoluble in diethyl ether and benzene, very soluble in acetic acidexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
120.15 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
120.0786 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-1.03calc.
Topological polar surface area
60.69 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
3calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
3calc.
Rotatable bonds
3calc.
Heavy atoms
8calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
1calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

No GHS hazard classification is recorded for this substance yet. That does not mean it is harmless.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Trimethylolethane suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 11 suppliers
11 of 11 offers

Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

11 suppliers in 4 countries

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Trimethylolethane price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Conditioning agent, mfr of varnishes, alkyd and polyester resins, synthetic drying oils.

Used in the manufacture of alkyd surface coatings and polyester resins (polyurethane foams). Heat stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride resins.

Polyethers are used in ethylene vinyl acetate and polyurethane adhesives.

Chemical intermediate for polyesters for polyurethane foams.

Industrial uses: Surface modifier, Intermediate, Pigment, Surfactant (surface active agent), Binder.

Consumer uses: Pigment.

Functional uses

  • Plasticizer

How it is made

Trimethylolethane 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.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Trimethylolethane is traded under.

HS 2905.49Indicative HS code

Acyclic alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives…

World exports in 2024
$474M
−0.8% vs 2023, imports $513M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China59.8%
  2. France * partner reported9.8%
  3. Netherlands8.0%
Top importers
  1. United States16.3%
  2. South Korea7.8%
  3. Germany7.3%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Trimethylolethane is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Trimethylolethane, based on the data on this page

What is Trimethylolethane?

Trimethylolethane is a chemical substance with the molecular formula C5H12O3 and a molar mass of 120.15 g/mol. Its CAS registry number is 77-85-0. The IUPAC name is 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol.

What is the CAS number of Trimethylolethane?

The CAS registry number of Trimethylolethane is 77-85-0.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Trimethylolethane?

The molecular formula of Trimethylolethane is C5H12O3 and its molar mass is 120.15 g/mol.

What is Trimethylolethane used for?

Conditioning agent, mfr of varnishes, alkyd and polyester resins, synthetic drying oils. Used in the manufacture of alkyd surface coatings and polyester resins (polyurethane foams). Heat stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride resins. Polyethers are used in ethylene vinyl acetate and polyurethane adhesives.

Is Trimethylolethane hazardous?

No GHS hazard classification for Trimethylolethane is recorded on CompoundList yet. That does not prove it is safe. Always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Trimethylolethane?

Trimethylolethane is usually classified under HS code 290549 (Acyclic alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives…). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Trimethylolethane?

CompoundList lists 11 suppliers of Trimethylolethane in China, India, United States and Netherlands. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Trimethylolethane in India?

2 suppliers in India list Trimethylolethane on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Trimethylolethane?

Suppliers quote Trimethylolethane on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Trimethylolethane

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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