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Solvents and alcohols

Glycerin vs propylene glycol

Glycerin (C3H8O3, CAS 56-81-5) and propylene glycol (C3H8O2, CAS 57-55-6) are both listed under alcohol and glycol solvents.

Glycerin has a molar mass of 92.09 g/mol, propylene glycol 76.10 g/mol.

Measured boiling points are 290 °C for glycerin and 187.6 °C for propylene glycol.

On CompoundList, 992 suppliers list glycerin and 757 suppliers list propylene glycol.

Data last updated 7 October 2026

Glycerin and propylene glycol compared side by side
Glycerol chemical structure, C3H8O3, CAS 56-81-5
Glycerin
Propylene glycol chemical structure, C3H8O2, CAS 57-55-6
Propylene glycol
Identity
Name in our databaseGlycerolPropylene glycol
CAS number56-81-557-55-6
Molecular formulaC3H8O3C3H8O2
Molar mass92.09 g/mol76.10 g/mol
IUPAC namepropane-1,2,3-triolpropane-1,2-diol
EC number200-289-5200-338-0
Physical properties
AppearanceSyrupy, rhombic platesColorless viscous liquid
Melting point18.1 °C-60 °C
Boiling point290 °C187.6 °C
Density1.2613 g/cm³ at 20 °C1.0361 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Flash point177 °C104 °C
SolubilityIn water, 5.296 × 10⁺⁶ mg/L at 25 °CIn water, 1 × 10⁺⁶ mg/L at 20 °C /miscible/
LogP (octanol/water)Computed from the structure-1.67-0.64
Safety (GHS)
Signal wordNoneNone
PictogramsNoneNone
Hazard statementsNo hazard statements recordedNo hazard statements recorded
Uses and classification
Uses and functions
  • Humectants
  • Thickeners
  • Skin conditioning agents
  • Hair conditioning agents
  • Fragrance ingredients
  • Solvents
  • Pharmaceutical excipients
  • Humectants
  • Thickeners
  • Skin conditioning agents
  • Fragrance ingredients
  • Solvents
CategoryPetrochemicals and solvents › Alcohol and glycol solventsPharmaceuticals and APIs › Pharmaceutical excipients
HS code290545Glycerol290532Propylene glycol (propane-1,2-diol)
Market on CompoundList
Suppliers992 suppliers757 suppliers
Supplier countries78 countries, most in India, United States, China59 countries, most in China, United States, India
Price rangeOnly prices set by suppliers who manage their own profilePrice on requestPrice on request

Measured and computed values as shown on each chemical page, plus live listings on CompoundList. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Safety data is a summary, not an SDS.

More comparisons

Other common chemical pairs, compared the same way.

Glycerin vs propylene glycol: properties and uses compared