Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, known by its molecular formula C21H40O4, combines propylene glycol with capric acid to form a distinctive ester. It typically appears as a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid or sometimes as a soft, waxy solid depending on room temperature. People working in the chemical field often encounter this material as a raw ingredient in personal care items, food additives, and pharmaceutical bases, thanks to its profile as a non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier. Its structure, with a backbone of propylene glycol attached to two capric acid chains, shapes its functional and physical properties.
At the molecular level, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate carries a molar mass of about 356.55 g/mol. Its chemical structure supports its solubility in a range of organic solvents, even though it resists mixing with water. Chemically, it holds up well under a wide temperature range, showing a melting point around 10–18°C. The material density hovers at roughly 0.95–0.97 g/cm³ when measured at 20°C. As a raw material, it is part of the larger family of esters that serve in industry as alternatives to animal-based fats, and contributes viscosity and emollient characteristics to formulations in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and even plasticizers.
Manufacturers sell Propylene Glycol Dicaprate in various physical forms based on specific user demand. It can arrive as a liquid, easing blending into oil-based mixtures, though suppliers also offer it in flake or powder form for precise dosage and handling. The product’s solid forms retain a slightly creamy texture, melting quickly as temperatures rise. Crystalline pearls are less common yet sometimes requested for specialty skin care or food processing, where easy weigh-out and slow melting are beneficial. Each form delivers the same base chemical profile, even though they handle differently in manufacturing environments.
In the lab, the density of Propylene Glycol Dicaprate merits close attention. Its average specific gravity measures just under 1.00, which positions it close to the density of water yet it remains hydrophobic. This trait keeps it floating on water, so during formulation, it tends to form stable dispersions when mixed correctly. In practice, density directly impacts batch calculations for large-scale production, as chemists must meter liquid volumes accurately to ensure consistency in finished goods. If operators heat the substance, they notice the viscosity drops, making it easier to blend with oils, fragrances, or active chemical ingredients.
On import documents and regulatory filings, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate most often appears under the HS Code 2915.90, placing it with other carboxylic acid derivatives and related esters. Customs authorities worldwide recognize this coding, which, from experience, speeds up international supply chain logistics and avoids unnecessary delays at borders. Companies active in global trade should double-check that this product code is applied accurately, as mistaking it for a different propylene glycol compound may raise compliance flags or lead to unexpected tariffs and audits.
On matters of safety, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate holds a low-to-moderate profile regarding human health risks. Most safety data sheets describe this compound as having low acute toxicity. Research indicates that it does not cause lasting irritation in animal skin tests and does not sensitize respiratory systems in standard workplace air exposures. Still, as with many chemicals, eye and skin contact should be avoided, and standard protective gear is advisable. As with any ester, the product should not be heated to decomposition, since this might release small amounts of acrolein and related irritants. In pharmaceutical and food contexts, strict purity standards guard against contamination by hazardous byproducts, and regulatory bodies urge limited concentrations in edible products to avoid digestive upset.
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate shines as a backbone substance across multiple sectors due to its emollient power. Cosmetic brands appreciate its silky touch and find that it helps trap moisture in creams or lotions, while food technologists say it gives a pleasant texture when added to fat-based fillings. Some of the more forward-thinking manufacturers integrate it into biodegradable plastics or resins, noting that its renewable vegetable oil origins help green up supply chains. The pharmaceutical sector turns to it for stable, long shelf-life bases in topical ointments and oral suspensions. Every application takes advantage of its soft profile and consistent reactivity; this is what makes it valuable as a raw material for complex industrial synthesis that calls for mild yet functional esters.
People dealing with Propylene Glycol Dicaprate learn to keep it in sealed, moisture-free containers, since long-term exposure to humidity or direct sunlight can degrade both its physical texture and purity. Warehouses storing large drum quantities benefit from cool, shaded storage spaces. Once opened, bulk batches need to be used carefully and quickly, since oxygen and water in the air may break down the ester bonds. From firsthand experience, quality assurance teams rely on regular batch-testing to confirm the product meets tight specifications over its shelf life, relying on indices like acid number, saponification value, and organoleptic checks to weed out off-spec material before it hits high-value manufacturing lines.
From a chemist’s perspective, the arrangement of Propylene Glycol Dicaprate’s atoms holds practical consequences. Each molecule comes with a propylene glycol core flanked by two capric acid groups, making it less polar than other glycol esters. This subtle shift in structure sets up its resistance to hydrolysis and preserves its neutrality in typical formulation pH ranges. Performance in emulsions comes from this balance—a neat trick for those in food science and topical drug formulation aiming to keep water and oil together for smoother, more stable products. Insight into the molecular shape explains why it spreads so easily on skin and avoids the greasy buildup many alternative esters create.
Environmental impact always looms large in modern chemical production. Propylene Glycol Dicaprate stands out as a biodegradable ester, which fits recent pushes for green chemistry. Disposal through standard wastewater treatment effectively breaks its structure down. Producers striving for sustainability look for sources with palm or coconut oil origins certified for minimal deforestation and responsible labor practices. Those moving toward circular production systems should evaluate recyclable packaging and tighter loss controls to reduce raw material waste, lessening both environmental footprint and cost of goods over time.
Molecular Formula: C21H40O4
Molar Mass: 356.55 g/mol
HS Code: 2915.90
Appearance: Clear liquid, soft solid, flakes, or powder
Density (20°C): 0.95–0.97 g/cm³
Melting Point: 10–18°C
Solubility: Miscible with most oils, not water
Hazards: Low; irritation possible; PPE recommended
There’s a growing need for clear transparency in sourcing and quality control for Propylene Glycol Dicaprate. Process engineers and suppliers might take advantage of digital tracking and rapid-lab analytics to avoid mix-ups or off-grade shipments. Training frontline workers on best handling practices limits health risks and guards against warehouse accidents. Pioneering producers see value in blockchain tagging and QR-coded barrels for speedier inspection by customs and customers alike. These efforts keep the supply chain cleaner, faster, and safer for everyone up and down the line.
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