Editing Glycerol (section)

==Applications==
===Food industry===
In food and beverages, glycerol serves as a [[humectant]], [[solvent]], and [[sweetener]], and may help [[Food preservative|preserve foods]]. It is also used as filler in commercially prepared [[low-fat]] foods (e.g., [[cookie]]s), and as a [[thickening agent]] in [[liqueur]]s. Glycerol and water are used to preserve certain types of plant leaves.<ref>{{cite journal |url= https://extension.umd.edu//sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/non_HGIC_FS/FS556.pdf |title= Preserving flowers and leaves |last= Gouin |first= Francis R. |year= 1994 |journal= Maryland Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet |volume= 556 |pages= 1–6 |access-date= 20 January 2018 |archive-date= 21 January 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180121072119/https://extension.umd.edu//sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/non_HGIC_FS/FS556.pdf |url-status= live }}</ref><!--<ref>{{cite web |title= Preserving flowers and decorative foliages with glycerin and dye |author= Stevens, Alan |url= https://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf2446.pdf }}{{dead link |date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>--> As a [[sugar substitute]], it has approximately 27 [[Food energy|kilocalories]] per [[teaspoon]] (sugar has 20) and is 60% as [[Sweetness|sweet]] as [[sucrose]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}} It does not feed the [[bacteria]] that form [[dental plaque]] and cause [[dental cavities]].{{citation needed |date=October 2016}} As a [[food additive]], glycerol is labeled as [[E number]] E422. It is added to [[Icing (food)|icing]] (frosting) to prevent it from setting too hard.

As used in foods, glycerol is categorized by the U.S. [[Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics]] as a [[carbohydrate]]. The U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) carbohydrate designation includes all caloric [[macronutrient]]s excluding protein and fat. Glycerol has a caloric density similar to table sugar, but a lower [[glycemic index]] and different [[metabolic pathway]] within the body.

It is also recommended as an additive when polyol sweeteners such as [[erythritol]] and [[xylitol]] are used, as its heating effect in the mouth will counteract these sweeteners' cooling effect.<ref>{{cite web |title= Functional Food Design Rules |author= Nikolov, Ivan |date= 20 April 2014 |url= https://www.ivannikolov.com/functional-food-design-rules-part-2/ |access-date= 21 February 2022 |archive-date= 30 April 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210430030741/https://ivannikolov.com/functional-food-design-rules-part-2/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

===Medical===
[[File:Glycerin bottle.jpg|thumb|A bottle of glycerin purchased at a pharmacy]]
[[File:Gleitmittel Personal Lubricants.jpg|thumb|Personal lubricants commonly contain glycerol]]
[[File:Dollop of hair gel.jpg|thumb|Glycerol is an ingredient in products such as hair gel]]
[[File:Glycerin suppositories.jpg|thumb|right|Glycerol suppositories used as laxatives]]

Glycerol is used in [[medicine|medical]], [[pharmaceutical]] and [[personal care]] preparations, often as a means of improving smoothness, providing [[lubrication]], and as a [[humectant]].

[[Ichthyosis]] and [[xerosis]] have been relieved by the topical use of glycerin.<ref>{{cite book|title=Ichthyosis: New Insights for the Healthcare Professional|date=22 July 2013|publisher=[[ScholarlyEditions]]|language=en|isbn=9781481659666|page=22}}</ref><ref name="LebwohlHeymann2017">{{cite book|title=Treatment of Skin Disease E-Book: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies|date=19 September 2017|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|language=en|isbn=9780702069130 |author=Mark G. Lebwohl |author2=Warren R. Heymann |author3=John Berth-Jones |author4=Ian Coulson}}</ref> It is found in allergen [[Immunotherapy|immunotherapies]], [[cough syrup]]s, [[elixir]]s and [[expectorant]]s, [[toothpaste]], [[mouthwash]]es, [[skin care]] products, shaving cream, [[hair care]] products, [[soap]]s, and water-based [[personal lubricant]]s. In solid dosage forms like tablets, glycerol is used as a tablet holding agent. For human consumption, glycerol is classified by the FDA among the [[sugar alcohol]]s as a caloric macronutrient. Glycerol is also used in [[blood bank]]ing to preserve [[red blood cell]]s prior to freezing.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Lagerberg
| first = Johan W.
| chapter = Cryopreservation of Red Blood Cells
| title = Cryopreservation and Freeze-Drying Protocols
| series = [[Methods in Molecular Biology]]
| publisher = [[Humana Press]]
| year = 2015
| volume = 1257
| pages = 353–367
| doi = 10.1007/978-1-4939-2193-5_17
| pmid = 25428017
| isbn = 978-1-4939-2192-8
}}</ref>

Taken rectally, glycerol functions as a [[laxative]] by irritating the anal mucosa and inducing a [[Osmotic laxative|hyperosmotic effect]],<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.drugs.com/cdi/glycerin-enema.html |title= Glycerin Enema |publisher= Drugs.com |access-date= 17 November 2012 |archive-date= 6 November 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121106235146/http://www.drugs.com/cdi/glycerin-enema.html |url-status= live }}</ref> expanding the [[Large intestine|colon]] by drawing water into it to induce [[peristalsis]] resulting in [[Defecation|evacuation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/glycerin-enema |title=glycerin enema |work=NCI Drug Dictionary |publisher=[[National Cancer Institute]] |access-date=2019-05-02 |date=2 February 2011 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502220442/https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/glycerin-enema |url-status=live }}</ref> It may be administered undiluted either as a [[suppository]] or as a small-volume (2–10&nbsp;ml) [[enema]]. Alternatively, it may be administered in a dilute solution, such as 5%, as a high-volume enema.<ref>{{Citation |author=E. Bertani |author2=A. Chiappa |author3=R. Biffi |author4=P. P. Bianchi |author5=D. Radice |author6=V. Branchi |author7=S. Spampatti |author8=I. Vetrano |author9=B. Andreoni | title = Comparison of oral polyethylene glycol plus a large volume glycerine enema with a large volume glycerine enema alone in patients undergoing colorectal surgery for malignancy: a randomized clinical trial  | journal = Colorectal Disease | volume = 13 | issue = 10  | pages = e327–e334 | year = 2011 | pmid = 21689356  | doi = 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2011.02689.x  | s2cid = 32872781}}</ref>

Taken orally (often mixed with fruit juice to reduce its sweet taste), glycerol can cause a rapid, temporary decrease in the [[Intraocular pressure|internal pressure of the eye]]. This can be useful for the initial emergency treatment of severely elevated eye pressure.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601713 |title= Glycerin (Oral Route) |publisher= Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research |access-date= 17 November 2012 |archive-date= 27 November 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121127150445/http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601713 |url-status= live }}</ref>

In 2017, researchers showed that the probiotic ''[[Limosilactobacillus reuteri]]'' bacteria can be supplemented with glycerol to enhance its production of antimicrobial substances in the human gut. This was confirmed to be as effective as the antibiotic [[vancomycin]] at inhibiting ''[[Clostridioides difficile]]'' infection without having a significant effect on the overall microbial composition of the gut.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Spinler |first1=Jennifer K. |last2=Auchtung |first2=Jennifer |last3=Brown |first3=Aaron |last4=Boonma |first4=Prapaporn |last5=Oezguen |first5=Numan |last6=Ross |first6=Caná L. |last7=Luna |first7=Ruth Ann |last8=Runge |first8=Jessica |last9=Versalovic |first9=James |last10=Peniche |first10=Alex |last11=Dann |first11=Sara M. |date=October 2017 |title=Next-Generation Probiotics Targeting ''Clostridium difficile'' through Precursor-Directed Antimicrobial Biosynthesis |journal=Infection and Immunity |volume=85 |issue=10 |pages=e00303–17 |doi=10.1128/IAI.00303-17 |issn=1098-5522 |pmc=5607411 |pmid=28760934}}</ref>

Glycerol has also been incorporated as a component of [[bio-ink]] formulations in the field of [[3D bioprinting|bioprinting]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Atala|first1=Anthony|last2=Yoo|first2=James J.|last3=Carlos Kengla|last4=Ko|first4=In Kap|last5=Lee|first5=Sang Jin|last6=Kang|first6=Hyun-Wook|date=March 2016|title=A 3D bioprinting system to produce human-scale tissue constructs with structural integrity|journal=Nature Biotechnology|volume=34|issue=3|pages=312–319|doi=10.1038/nbt.3413|pmid=26878319|s2cid=9073831|issn=1546-1696}}</ref> The glycerol content acts to add viscosity to the bio-ink without adding large protein, saccharide, or glycoprotein molecules.

===Botanical extracts===
When utilized in tincture method extractions, specifically as a 10% solution, glycerol prevents tannins from precipitating in ethanol extracts of plants ([[tincture]]s). It is also used as an "alcohol-free" alternative to ethanol as a solvent in preparing herbal extractions. It is less extractive when utilized in a standard tincture methodology. Alcohol-based tinctures can also have the alcohol removed and replaced with glycerol for its preserving properties. Such products are not "alcohol-free" in a scientific or FDA regulatory sense, as glycerol contains three hydroxyl groups. [[Fluid extract]] manufacturers often extract herbs in hot water before adding glycerol to make [[glycerite]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Long |first1=Walter S. |title=The Composition of Commercial Fruit Extracts |journal=Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science |date=14 January 1916 |volume=28 |pages=157–161 |doi=10.2307/3624347 |jstor=3624347 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.newhope.com/nutritionsciencenews/NSN_backs/Apr_99/backtalk.cfm Does alcohol belong in herbal tinctures?] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012040650/https://newhope.com/nutritionsciencenews/NSN_backs/Apr_99/backtalk.cfm |date=12 October 2007}} newhope.com</ref>

When used as a primary "true" alcohol-free botanical extraction solvent in non-tincture based methodologies, glycerol has been shown to possess a high degree of extractive versatility for botanicals including removal of numerous constituents and complex compounds, with an extractive power that can rival that of alcohol and water–alcohol solutions.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.aciscience.org/docs/Glycerine_-_an_overview.pdf |website =aciscience.org|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190601153919/http://www.aciscience.org/docs/glycerine_-_an_overview.pdf |archive-date=1 June 2019 |title = Glycerine: An Overview |publisher = The Soap and Detergent Association|date = 1990|url-status = live}}</ref> That glycerol possesses such high extractive power assumes it is utilized with dynamic (critical) methodologies as opposed to standard passive "tincturing" methodologies that are better suited to alcohol. Glycerol does not denature or render a botanical's constituents inert as alcohols ([[ethanol]], [[methanol]], and so on) do. Glycerol is a stable preserving agent for botanical extracts that, when utilized in proper concentrations in an extraction solvent base, does not allow inverting or [[Redox|reduction-oxidation]] of a finished extract's constituents, even over several years.{{citation needed |date=September 2014}} Both glycerol and ethanol are viable preserving agents. Glycerol is [[bacteriostatic]] in its action, and ethanol is bactericidal in its action.<ref>Lawrie, James W. (1928) ''Glycerol and the glycols – production, properties and analysis''. The Chemical Catalog Company, Inc., New York, NY.</ref><ref>Leffingwell, Georgia and Lesser, Miton (1945) ''Glycerin – its industrial and commercial applications''. Chemical Publishing Co., Brooklyn, NY.{{page needed |date=December 2019}}</ref><ref>''The manufacture of glycerol'' – Vol. III (1956). The Technical Press, LTD., London.{{page needed |date=December 2019}}</ref>

===Electronic cigarette liquid===
[[File:E-Cigarette-Electronic Cigarette-E-Cigs-E-Liquid-Vaping-Cloud Chasing (16348040092).jpg|thumb|Glycerin is often used in [[electronic cigarettes]] to create the vapor]]
Glycerin, along with [[propylene glycol]], is a common component of [[construction of electronic cigarettes#E-cigarette liquid|e-liquid]], a solution used with electronic vaporizers ([[electronic cigarettes]]). This glycerol is heated with an atomizer (a heating coil often made of [[Kanthal (alloy)|Kanthal]] wire), producing the [[aerosol]] that delivers [[nicotine]] to the user.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Dasgupta|first1=Amitava|last2=Klein|first2=Kimberly|title=Antioxidants in Food, Vitamins and Supplements: Prevention and Treatment of Disease|date=2014|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=9780124059177|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5iiSAgAAQBAJ&q=propylene%20glycol%20electronic%20cigarettes&pg=PA67|access-date=16 August 2017|chapter=4.2.5 Are Electronic Cigarettes Safe?|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416173028/https://books.google.com/books?id=5iiSAgAAQBAJ&q=propylene%20glycol%20electronic%20cigarettes&pg=PA67|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Antifreeze===
{{Main|Antifreeze}}
Like [[ethylene glycol]] and propylene glycol, glycerol is a non-ionic [[kosmotropic|kosmotrope]] that forms strong hydrogen bonds with water molecules, competing with water-water [[hydrogen bonds]]. This interaction disrupts the formation of ice. The minimum freezing point temperature is about {{convert|−36|F|C|order=flip}} corresponding to 70% glycerol in water.

Glycerol was historically used as an anti-freeze for automotive applications before being replaced by ethylene glycol, which has a lower freezing point. While the minimum freezing point of a glycerol-water mixture is higher than an ethylene glycol-water mixture, glycerol is not toxic and is being re-examined for use in automotive applications.<ref>{{cite book |last1= Hudgens |first1= R. Douglas |title= SAE Technical Paper Series |volume= 1 |last2= Hercamp |first2= Richard D. |last3= Francis |first3= Jaime |last4= Nyman |first4= Dan A. |last5= Bartoli |first5= Yolanda |year= 2007 |doi= 10.4271/2007-01-4000 |chapter= An Evaluation of Glycerin (Glycerol) as a Heavy Duty Engine Antifreeze/Coolant Base }}</ref><ref>[https://www.astmnewsroom.org/default.aspx?pageid=2115&year=2010&category=Standards%2FTechnical Proposed ASTM Engine Coolant Standards Focus on Glycerin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914125754/http://www.astmnewsroom.org/default.aspx?pageid=2115&year=2010&category=Standards%2FTechnical |date=14 September 2017}}. Astmnewsroom.org. Retrieved on 15 August 2012</ref>

In the laboratory, glycerol is a common component of solvents for [[enzymatic]] [[reagents]] stored at temperatures below {{convert|0|C|F}} due to the [[Freezing-point depression|depression of the freezing temperature]]. It is also used as a [[cryoprotectant]] where the glycerol is dissolved in water to reduce damage by ice crystals to laboratory organisms that are stored in frozen solutions, such as [[fungi]], [[bacteria]], [[nematode]]s, and mammalian embryos. Some organisms like the [[moor frog]] produce glycerol to survive freezing temperatures during hibernation.<ref name="Shekhovtsov-2022">{{Cite journal |last1=Shekhovtsov |first1=Sergei V. |last2=Bulakhova |first2=Nina A. |last3=Tsentalovich |first3=Yuri P. |last4=Zelentsova |first4=Ekaterina A. |last5=Meshcheryakova |first5=Ekaterina N. |last6=Poluboyarova |first6=Tatiana V. |last7=Berman |first7=Daniil I. |date=January 2022 |title=Metabolomic Analysis Reveals That the Moor Frog ''Rana arvalis'' Uses Both Glucose and Glycerol as Cryoprotectants |journal=Animals |language=en |volume=12 |issue=10 |pages=1286 |doi=10.3390/ani12101286 |issn=2076-2615 |pmc=9137551 |pmid=35625132 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Chemical intermediate===
Glycerol is used to produce a variety of useful derivatives.

[[Nitration]] gives [[nitroglycerin]], an essential ingredient of various explosives such as [[dynamite]], [[gelignite]], and propellants like [[cordite]]. Nitroglycerin under the name glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is commonly used to relieve [[angina pectoris]], taken in the form of [[sub-lingual]] tablets, patches, or as an [[aerosol]] spray.

Trifunctional [[polyether polyol]]s are produced from glycerol and [[propylene oxide]].

Oxidation of glycerol affords [[mesoxalic acid]].<ref name="ciri2">{{cite journal |last1 = Ciriminna |first1 = Rosaria |last2 = Pagliaro |first2 = Mario |year = 2003 |title = One-Pot Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Oxidation of Glycerol to Ketomalonic Acid Mediated by TEMPO |journal = Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis |volume = 345 |issue = 3 |pages = 383–388 |doi = 10.1002/adsc.200390043}}</ref> Dehydrating glycerol affords [[hydroxyacetone]].

Chlorination of glycerol gives the [[1-chloropropane-2,3-diol]]:
: {{chem2|HOCH(CH2OH)2  +  HCl ->  HOCH(CH2Cl)(CH2OH)  +  H2O}}
The same compound can be produced by hydrolysis of epichlorohydrin.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1021/cr5004002 |title=Glycerol Ether Synthesis: A Bench Test for Green Chemistry Concepts and Technologies |date=2015 |last1=Sutter |first1=Marc |last2=Silva |first2=Eric Da |last3=Duguet |first3=Nicolas |last4=Raoul |first4=Yann |last5=Métay |first5=Estelle |last6=Lemaire |first6=Marc |journal=Chemical Reviews |volume=115 |issue=16 |pages=8609–8651 |pmid=26196761 |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01312971/file/ChemRev_2015_115_8609-8651.pdf }}</ref>

Epoxidation by reaction with [[epichlorohydrin]] and a [[Lewis acid]] yields [[Glycerol triglycidyl ether]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Crivello |first=James V. |date=2006 |title=Design and synthesis of multifunctional glycidyl ethers that undergo frontal polymerization |url=https://doi.org/10.1002/pola.21761 |journal=Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry |volume=44 |issue=21 |pages=6435–6448 |doi=10.1002/pola.21761 |bibcode=2006JPoSA..44.6435C |issn=0887-624X|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite patent|country=US|pubdate=1992-11-10|assign1=[[Novartis#Ciba-Geigy|Ciba-Geigy Corp.]]|number=5162547|title=Process for the preparation of glycidyl ethers|=|inventor1-last=Roth|inventor1-first=Martin|inventor2-last=Wolleb|inventor2-first=Heinz|inventor3-last=Truffer|inventor3-first=Marc-Andre}}</ref>

===Vibration damping===
Glycerol is used as fill for [[pressure gauge]]s to damp vibration. External vibrations, from compressors, engines, pumps, etc., produce [[harmonic oscillation|harmonic]] vibrations within [[Bourdon gauge]]s that can cause the needle to move excessively, giving inaccurate readings. The excessive swinging of the needle can also damage internal gears or other components, causing premature wear. Glycerol, when poured into a gauge to replace the air space, reduces the harmonic vibrations that are transmitted to the needle, increasing the lifetime and reliability of the gauge.<ref>''Pneumatic Systems: Principles and Maintenance'' by S. R. Majumdar.  McGraw-Hill, 2006, p. 74 {{ISBN?}}</ref>

===Niche uses===
====Entertainment industry====
Glycerol is used by set decorators when filming scenes involving water to prevent an area meant to look wet from drying out too quickly.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hawthorne |first1=Amy |title=Chemicals in Film: 20th Century Fox orders Products |url=http://www.reagent.co.uk/blog/chemicals-in-film-20th-century-fox-orders-products/ |website=ReAgent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929170803/http://www.reagent.co.uk/blog/chemicals-in-film-20th-century-fox-orders-products/ |archive-date=2015-09-29 |date=2015-05-04 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Glycerine is also used in the generation of [[theatrical smoke and fog]] as a component of the fluid used in [[fog machine]]s as a replacement for [[glycol]], which has been shown to be an irritant if exposure is prolonged.

====Ultrasonic couplant====
Glycerol can be sometimes used as replacement for water in [[ultrasonic testing]], as it has favourably higher [[acoustic impedance]] (2.42&nbsp;MRayl versus 1.483&nbsp;MRayl for water) while being relatively safe, non-toxic, non-corrosive and relatively low cost.<ref>[https://www.nde-ed.org/GeneralResources/MaterialProperties/UT/ut_matlprop_liquids.htm Acoustic Properties for Liquids] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027055440/https://www.nde-ed.org/GeneralResources/MaterialProperties/UT/ut_matlprop_liquids.htm |date=27 October 2016}} nde-ed.org</ref>

===Internal combustion fuel===
Glycerol is also used to power diesel generators supplying electricity for the [[FIA]] [[Formula E]] series of electric race cars.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150212152226/https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2014/september/formula-e-uses-pollution-free-glycerine-to-charge-cars.aspx Formula E uses pollution-free glycerine to charge cars]}}. fiaformulae.com. 13 September 2014</ref>

===Research on additional uses===
Research continues into potential [[value-added]] products of glycerol obtained from biodiesel production.<ref>{{cite journal |doi= 10.1002/ep.10225 |title= The glycerin glut: Options for the value-added conversion of crude glycerol resulting from biodiesel production |year= 2007 |last1= Johnson |first1= Duane T. |last2= Taconi |first2= Katherine A. |journal= Environmental Progress |volume= 26 |issue= 4 |pages= 338–348|bibcode= 2007EnvPr..26..338J }}</ref> Examples (aside from combustion of waste glycerol):
* [[Hydrogen]] [[gas]] production.<ref>{{cite journal |author1= Marshall, A. T. |author2 =Haverkamp, R. G. |title= Production of hydrogen by the electrochemical reforming of glycerol-water solutions in a PEM electrolysis cell |year= 2008 |journal= [[International Journal of Hydrogen Energy]] |volume= 33 |issue= 17 |pages= 4649–4654 |doi= 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2008.05.029|bibcode =2008IJHE...33.4649M }}</ref>
* [[Glycerine acetate]] is a potential fuel additive.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Acidic mesoporous silica for the acetylation of glycerol: Synthesis of bioadditives to petrol fuel |year= 2007 |journal= [[Energy & Fuels]] |volume= 21 |issue= 3 |pages= 1782–1791 |doi= 10.1021/ef060647q |last1= Melero |first1= Juan A. |last2= Van Grieken |first2= Rafael |last3= Morales |first3= Gabriel |last4= Paniagua |first4= Marta}}</ref>
* Additive for [[starch]] thermoplastic.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Özeren|first1=Hüsamettin D.|last2=Olsson|first2=Richard T.|last3=Nilsson|first3=Fritjof|last4=Hedenqvist|first4=Mikael S. |date=2020-02-01|title=Prediction of plasticization in a real biopolymer system (starch) using molecular dynamics simulations |journal=Materials & Design |language=en |volume=187|pages=108387|doi=10.1016/j.matdes.2019.108387|issn=0264-1275|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Özeren|first1=Hüsamettin Deniz|last2=Guivier|first2=Manon|last3=Olsson|first3=Richard T.|last4=Nilsson|first4=Fritjof|last5=Hedenqvist|first5=Mikael S. |date=2020-04-07|title=Ranking Plasticizers for Polymers with Atomistic Simulations; PVT, Mechanical Properties and the Role of Hydrogen Bonding in Thermoplastic Starch |journal=ACS Applied Polymer Materials |volume=2|issue=5|pages=2016–2026|doi=10.1021/acsapm.0c00191|doi-access=free}}</ref>
* Conversion to various other chemicals:
** [[Propylene glycol]]<ref>{{cite press release |title= Dow achieves another major milestone in its quest for sustainable chemistries |date= 15 March 2007 |publisher= [[Dow Chemical Company]] |url= https://www.dow.com/propyleneglycol/news/20070315b.htm |access-date= 13 July 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090916061724/https://www.dow.com/propyleneglycol/news/20070315b.htm |archive-date= 16 September 2009 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
** [[Acrolein]]<ref>{{cite journal |doi= 10.1039/b506285c |title= The catalytic dehydration of glycerol in sub- and supercritical water: a new chemical process for acrolein production |journal= [[Green Chemistry (journal)|Green Chemistry]] |volume= 8 |issue= 2 |pages= 214–220 |year= 2006 |last1= Ott |first1= L. |last2= Bicker |first2= M. |last3= Vogel |first3= H.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title= Acrolein synthesis from glycerol in hot-compressed water |journal= [[Bioresource Technology]] |year= 2007 |volume= 98 |pages= 1285–1290 |doi= 10.1016/j.biortech.2006.05.007 |pmid= 16797980 |issue= 6 |last1= Watanabe |first1= Masaru |last2= Iida |first2= Toru |last3= Aizawa |first3= Yuichi |last4= Aida |first4= Taku M. |last5= Inomata |first5= Hiroshi|bibcode= 2007BiTec..98.1285W }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Abdullah |first1=Anas |last2=Zuhairi Abdullah |first2=Ahmad |last3=Ahmed |first3=Mukhtar |last4=Khan |first4=Junaid |last5=Shahadat |first5=Mohammad |last6=Umar |first6=Khalid |last7=Alim |first7=Md Abdul |date=March 2022 |title=A review on recent developments and progress in sustainable acrolein production through catalytic dehydration of bio-renewable glycerol |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0959652622005145 |journal=Journal of Cleaner Production |language=en |volume=341 |pages=130876 |doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130876|bibcode=2022JCPro.34130876A |s2cid=246853148 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
** [[Ethanol]]<ref name="Yazdani">{{cite journal |author1= Yazdani, S. S. |author2 =Gonzalez, R. |title= Anaerobic fermentation of glycerol: a path to economic viability for the biofuels industry |year= 2007 |journal= [[Current Opinion in Biotechnology]] |volume= 18 |issue= 3 |pages= 213–219 |doi= 10.1016/j.copbio.2007.05.002 |pmid= 17532205}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |date=27 June 2007 |title=Engineers Find Way To Make Ethanol, Valuable Chemicals From Waste Glycerin |website=ScienceDaily |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070626115246.htm}}</ref>
** [[Epichlorohydrin]],<ref>{{cite press release |publisher= [[Dow Chemical Company]] |url= https://epoxy.dow.com/epoxy/news/2007/20070326b.htm |title= Dow Epoxy advances glycerine-to-epichlorohydrin and liquid epoxy resins projects by choosing Shanghai site |date= 26 March 2007 |access-date= 21 February 2022 |archive-date= 8 December 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111208095306/http://epoxy.dow.com/epoxy/news/2007/20070326b.htm |url-status= live }}</ref> a raw material for [[epoxy resins]]