Editing Polyol

{{Short description|Organic compound with multiple –OH groups}}

In [[organic chemistry]], a '''polyol''' is an [[organic compound]] containing multiple [[hydroxyl group]]s ({{chem2|\sOH}}). The term "polyol" can have slightly different meanings depending on whether it is used in [[food science]] or [[polymer chemistry]]. Polyols containing two, three and four hydroxyl groups are [[diol]]s,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022|title=Basic IUPAC Organic Nomenclature - Diols (or polyols)|url=https://www.chem.ucalgary.ca/courses/351/WebContent/orgnom/alcohols/alcohols-02.html|website=University of Calgary}}</ref> [[triol]]s,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Definition of TRIOL|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/triol|access-date=2022-02-12|website=www.merriam-webster.com|language=en}}</ref> and tetrols,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tetrol Meaning |url=https://www.yourdictionary.com/tetrol|access-date=2022-02-12|website=www.yourdictionary.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=PubChem|title=Butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol|url=https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8998|access-date=2022-02-12|website=pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov|language=en}}</ref> respectively.

== Classification ==
Polyols may be classified according to their chemistry.<ref>{{cite journal|doi = 10.1007/BF02699621|title = Polyurethanes, polyurethane dispersions and polyureas: Past, present and future|journal = Surface Coatings International Part B: Coatings Transactions|volume = 86|issue = 2|pages = 111–118|year = 2003|last1 = Howarth|first1 = GA| s2cid=93574741 }}</ref> Some of these chemistries are polyether, polyester,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Polyester Polyols - an overview |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/polyester-polyols|access-date=2022-02-12|website=www.sciencedirect.com}}</ref> polycarbonate<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Scharfenberg|first1=Markus|last2=Hofmann|first2=Silja|last3=Preis|first3=Jasmin|last4=Hilf|first4=Jeannette|last5=Frey|first5=Holger|date=2017-08-22|title=Rigid Hyperbranched Polycarbonate Polyols from CO2 and Cyclohexene-Based Epoxides|url=https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01276|journal=Macromolecules|volume=50|issue=16|pages=6088–6097|doi=10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01276|bibcode=2017MaMol..50.6088S |issn=0024-9297|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite patent|number=WO2011129940A1|title=Polycarbonate polyols and polyurethanes made therefrom|gdate=2011-10-20|invent1=Montgomery|invent2=Brown|invent3=Sonnenschein|invent4=Foley|inventor1-first=Steven|inventor2-first=Shawn|inventor3-first=Mark|inventor4-first=Paul|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2011129940A1/en}}</ref> and also acrylic polyols.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roesler|first=Richard|date=26 March 1986|title=Acrylic polyols having low residual monomer content European Patent|url=https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/78/38/fb/cd9c639d25a624/EP0197460A2.pdf|website=European Patent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Polyacrylate Polyols|url=https://ebrary.net/14329/environment/polyacrylate_polyols|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Ebrary}}</ref> Polyether polyols may be further subdivided and classified as [[polyethylene oxide]] or [[polyethylene glycol]] (PEG), [[polypropylene glycol]] (PPG) and [[Polytetrahydrofuran]] or PTMEG. These have 2, 3 and 4 carbons respectively per oxygen atom in the repeat unit. Polycaprolactone polyols are also commercially available.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Polycaprolactone Polyols Market Report - Size and Share by 2026 {{!}} AMR|url=https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/polycaprolactone-polyols-market|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Allied Market Research|language=en}}</ref> There is also an increasing trend to use biobased (and hence renewable) polyols.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Li|first1=Yonghui|last2=Sun|first2=Xiuzhi Susan|date=2015-05-15|title=Synthesis and characterization of acrylic polyols and polymers from soybean oils for pressure-sensitive adhesives|url=https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2015/ra/c5ra04399a|journal=RSC Advances|language=en|volume=5|issue=55|pages=44009–44017|doi=10.1039/C5RA04399A|bibcode=2015RSCAd...544009L |issn=2046-2069|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Patel JV, Desai SD, Sinha, VK |title= Bio-acrylic polyols for two pack polyurethane coating|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268398112|pages=259–264 |access-date=2022-02-13|journal=Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research|volume=63|issue=3|date=March 2004|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kasprzyk|first1=Paulina|last2=Sadowska|first2=Ewelina|last3=Datta|first3=Janusz|date=2019-11-01|title=Investigation of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes Synthesized via Two Different Prepolymers|journal=Journal of Polymers and the Environment|language=en|volume=27|issue=11|pages=2588–2599|doi=10.1007/s10924-019-01543-7|s2cid=201704473 |issn=1572-8919|doi-access=free|bibcode=2019JPEnv..27.2588K }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gurunathan|first1=T.|last2=Mohanty|first2=Smita|last3=Nayak|first3=Sanjay K.|date=2015-03-01|title=Isocyanate terminated castor oil-based polyurethane prepolymer: Synthesis and characterization|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300944014003725|journal=Progress in Organic Coatings|language=en|volume=80|pages=39–48|doi=10.1016/j.porgcoat.2014.11.017|issn=0300-9440|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==Uses==
Polyether polyols have numerous uses.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Datta|first1=Janusz|last2=Kosiorek|first2=Paulina|last3=Włoch|first3=Marcin|date=2017-04-01|title=Synthesis, structure and properties of poly(ether-urethane)s synthesized using a tri-functional oxypropylated glycerol as a polyol|journal=Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry|language=en|volume=128|issue=1|pages=155–167|doi=10.1007/s10973-016-5928-2|s2cid=100046328 |issn=1588-2926|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kantheti|first1=Sasidhar|last2=Sarath|first2=P. S.|last3=Narayan|first3=Ramanuj|last4=Raju|first4=K. V. S. N.|date=2013-12-01|title=Synthesis and characterization of triazole rich polyether polyols using click chemistry for highly branched polyurethanes|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S138151481300206X|journal=Reactive and Functional Polymers|language=en|volume=73|issue=12|pages=1597–1605|doi=10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2013.09.002|bibcode=2013RFPol..73.1597K |issn=1381-5148|url-access=subscription}}</ref> As an example, [[polyurethane foam]] is a big user of polyether polyols.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Abraham |first1=T.W. |last2=Höfer |first2=R. |editor-last1=Matyjaszewski |editor-first1=K |editor-last2=Möller |editor-first2=M |year=2012 |chapter= 10.03 - Lipid-Based Polymer Building Blocks and Polymers |title=Polymer Science: A Comprehensive Reference |publisher=Elsevier |pages= 15–58 |doi=10.1016/B978-0-444-53349-4.00253-3 |isbn=9780080878621 }}</ref>

Polyester polyols can be used to produce rigid foam.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=McAdams |first1=Carina |last2=Farmer |first2=Steven |date=September 2003 |title=Stabilization of Rigid Systems Containing Aromatic Polyester Polyol and Water |journal=Journal of Cellular Plastics |volume=39 |issue=September 2003 |pages=369–386 |doi=10.1177/0021955X03035067 |s2cid=96795892 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=February 2022|title=Polyester polyols for rigid foam|url=https://www.stepan.com/content/dam/stepan-dot-com/webdam/website-product-documents/literature/polyester-polyols/StepanRigidFoamBrochure.pdf|website=Stepan}}</ref> They are available in both [[Aromatic_compound|aromatic]] and [[Aliphatic_compound|aliphatic]] versions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aromatic Polyester Polyols|url=https://purinova.com/en/products/polyester-polyols/aromatic-polyester-polyols|access-date=2022-02-12|website=purinova.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=May 2018|title=Polyester Polyols|url=https://www.nord-composites.com/fichiersusers/files/NORD-COMPOSITES_BrochuresPolyesterPolyols_May_2018.pdf|website=Nord}}</ref> They are also available in mixed aliphatic-aromatic versions often made from recycled raw materials, typically [[polyethylene terephthalate]] (PET).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Makuska|first=Ricardas|date=2008| number= 2 |title=Glycolysis of industrial poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste directed to bis(hydroxyethylene) terephthalate and aromatic polyester polyols|journal=Chemija|volume=19|pages=29–34 |url=https://mokslozurnalai.lmaleidykla.lt/publ/0235-7216/2008/2/29-34.pdf }}</ref>

Acrylic polyols are generally used in higher performance applications where stability to [[ultraviolet]] light is required<ref>{{Cite patent|number=US6762262B1|title=Preparation of acrylic polyols|gdate=2004-07-13|invent1=Wang|invent2=Harris|inventor1-first=Wei|inventor2-first=Stephen H.|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US6762262B1/en}}</ref> and also lower [[Volatile organic compound|VOC]] coatings.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ionescu|first=Mihail|chapter=10. Acrylic polyols|title=Aromatic Polyester Polyols: Chemistry and Technology|volume=1|publisher=De Gruyter|year=2019|pages=267–272 |isbn=978-3-11-064410-4|language=en|doi=10.1515/9783110644104-010|s2cid=241043906 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=New Acrylic Polyols for Low-VOC Coatings|url=https://www.pcimag.com/articles/84259-new-acrylic-polyols-for-low-voc-coatings|access-date=2022-02-13|date=2002-05-31|website=www.pcimag.com|language=en}}</ref> Other uses include direct to metal coatings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Acrylic polyol with enhanced performance for 2K PUR direct-to-metal coatings |url=https://insights.basf.com/home/article/read/acrylic-polyol-with-enhanced-performance-for-2k-pur-direct-to-metal-coatings|access-date=2022-02-13|publisher=BASF}}</ref> As they are used where good UV resistance is required, such as automotive coatings, the [[isocyanate]] component also tends to be UV resistant and hence isocyanate oligomers or [[prepolymer]]s based on [[Isophorone diisocyanate]] are generally used.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gite|first1=V. V.|last2=Mahulikar|first2=P. P.|last3=Hundiwale|first3=D. G.|date=2010-08-01|title=Preparation and properties of polyurethane coatings based on acrylic polyols and trimer of isophorone diisocyanate|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030094401000086X|journal=Progress in Organic Coatings|language=en|volume=68|issue=4|pages=307–312|doi=10.1016/j.porgcoat.2010.03.008|issn=0300-9440|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Caprolactone-based polyols produce polyurethanes with enhanced hydrolysis resistance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Takaaki|first=Fujiwa|date=19 July 1990|title=A polycaprolactone polyol and hydrolysis resistant polyurethane resins prepared therefrom patent 0 409 735 A1|url=https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/8b/3e/79/e4bdbb854918b7/EP0409735A1.pdf|website=European Patent Office}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Huang|first1=Shan|last2=Xiao|first2=Juan|last3=Zhu|first3=Yan’an|last4=Qu|first4=Jinqing|date=2017-05-01|title=Synthesis and properties of spray-applied high solid content two component polyurethane coatings based on polycaprolactone polyols|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030094401630786X|journal=Progress in Organic Coatings|language=en|volume=106|pages=60–68|doi=10.1016/j.porgcoat.2017.02.011|issn=0300-9440|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Polycarbonate polyols are more expensive than other polyols and are thus used in more demanding applications.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pohl |first1=M. |last2=Danieli |first2=E. |last3=Leven |first3=M. |last4=Leitner |first4=W. |last5=Blümich |first5=B. |last6=Müller |first6=T. E. |display-authors=3|date=2016-12-13 |title=Dynamics of Polyether Polyols and Polyether Carbonate Polyols |url=https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.macromol.6b01601 |journal=Macromolecules |language=en |volume=49 |issue=23 |pages=8995–9003 |doi=10.1021/acs.macromol.6b01601 |bibcode=2016MaMol..49.8995P |issn=0024-9297|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Polycarbonate Diols for Ultimate Performance Polyurethanes|url=https://www.gantrade.com/blog/ultimate-performance-polyurethanes-based-on-polycarbonate-diols|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.gantrade.com|language=en-us}}</ref> They have been used to make an [[isophorone diisocyanate]] based prepolymer which is then used in glass coatings.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wilson|first=Michael G.|date=November 1991|title=New coatings for glass|journal=Journal of the Oil and Colour Chemists Association|volume=11|pages=412–415|via=Springer}}</ref> They may be used in reactive hotmelt [[adhesive]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carbon Dioxide-Based Polycarbonate Polyols for Polyurethane Systems|url=https://www.adhesivesmag.com/articles/93368-carbon-dioxide-based-polycarbonate-polyols-for-polyurethane-systems|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.adhesivesmag.com|language=en|first=Anna |last=Cherian|date=2014-11-01}}</ref>

All polyols may be used to produce polyurethane [[prepolymer]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Harani|first1=H.|last2=Fellahi|first2=S.|last3=Bakar|first3=M.|date=1998|title=Toughening of epoxy resin using synthesized polyurethane prepolymer based on hydroxyl-terminated polyesters|journal=Journal of Applied Polymer Science|language=en|volume=70|issue=13|pages=2603–2618|doi=10.1002/(SICI)1097-4628(19981226)70:13<2603::AID-APP6>3.0.CO;2-4|issn=1097-4628|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Shi|first1=Minxian|last2=Zheng|first2=Juanli|last3=Huang|first3=Zhixiong|last4=Qin|first4=Yan|date=2011-03-01|title=Synthesis of Polyurethane Prepolymers and Damping Property of Polyurethane/Epoxy Composites|url=https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/asp/asl/2011/00000004/00000003/art00020|journal=Advanced Science Letters|volume=4|issue=3|pages=740–744|doi=10.1166/asl.2011.1597|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Pokharel|first1=Pashupati|last2=Lee|first2=Dai Soo|date=2014-10-01|title=High performance polyurethane nanocomposite films prepared from a masterbatch of graphene oxide in polyether polyol|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894714006214|journal=Chemical Engineering Journal|language=en|volume=253|pages=356–365|doi=10.1016/j.cej.2014.05.046|bibcode=2014ChEnJ.253..356P |issn=1385-8947|url-access=subscription}}</ref> These then find use in [[coatings]],<ref name="howarth">{{cite journal|first=G.A.|last=Howarth |year=2000 |title=Legislation-compliant polyurethane and epoxy coatings |journal=Pigment & Resin Technology|volume=29 |issue=6|pages=325–336|doi=10.1108/03699420010355120}}</ref> [[adhesives]], [[sealants]] and [[elastomers]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Wang|first1=Lei|last2=Shen|first2=Yiding|last3=Lai|first3=Xiaojuan|last4=Li|first4=Zhongjin|last5=Liu|first5=Min|display-authors=3|date=2011-05-01|title=Synthesis and properties of crosslinked waterborne polyurethane|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-010-9438-9|journal=Journal of Polymer Research|language=en|volume=18|issue=3|pages=469–476|doi=10.1007/s10965-010-9438-9|s2cid=56442579 |issn=1572-8935|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

===Low molecular weight polyols===
[[File:Glyptal.svg|thumb|212px|Structure of an idealized [[alkyd resin]] derived from the polyol [[glycerol]] (red, a low molecular weight polyol) and [[phthalic anhydride]].]]
Low molecular weight polyols are widely used in [[polymer chemistry]] where they function as crosslinking agents and chain extenders. [[Alkyd resin]]s for example, use polyols in their synthesis and are used in [[paint]]s and in molds for [[casting]]. They are the dominant [[resin]] or "binder" in most commercial "oil-based" coatings. Approximately 200,000 tons of alkyd resins are produced each year. They are based on linking reactive monomers through ester formation. Polyols used in the production of commercial alkyd resins are [[glycerol]], [[trimethylolpropane]], and [[pentaerythritol]].<ref name =ullmann>{{Ullmann | author = Frank N. Jones | title = Alkyd Resins | doi = 10.1002/14356007.a01_409}}</ref> In polyurethane prepolymer production, a low molecular weight polyol-[[diol]] such as [[1,4-butanediol]] may be used as a chain extender to further increase molecular weight though it does increase [[viscosity]] because more [[hydrogen bonding]] is introduced.<ref name="howarth"/>

{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%" width="17%"
|- class="hintergrundfarbe6" 
|'''Low molecular weight polyols'''
|-
| [[File:Pentaerythritol.svg |130px]] <br />[[Pentaerythritol]]
|-
| [[File:Xylitol Structural Formula V.1.svg |180px]] <br />
[[Xylitol]]
|}

===Sugar alcohols===
[[Sugar alcohol]]s, a class of low molecular weight polyols, are commonly obtained by [[hydrogenation]] of sugars.<ref name="malani">{{Cite journal |last1=Malani |first1=Ritesh S. |last2=Malshe |first2=Vinod C. |last3=Thorat |first3=Bhaskar Narayan |year=2022 |title=Polyols and polyurethanes from renewable sources: past, present, and future—part 2: plant-derived materials |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-021-00534-5 |journal=Journal of Coatings Technology and Research |language=en |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=361–375 |doi=10.1007/s11998-021-00534-5 |s2cid=246083110 |issn=1935-3804|url-access=subscription }}</ref>{{rp|363}} They have the formula (CHOH)<sub>n</sub>H<sub>2</sub>, where n = 4–6.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|vauthors=Schiweck H, Bär A, Vogel R, Schwarz E, Kunz M, Dusautois C, Clement A, Lefranc C, Lüssem B, Moser M, Peters S|display-authors=3|chapter=Sugar Alcohols|encyclopedia=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry|year=2012|publisher=Wiley-VCH|place=Weinheim|doi=10.1002/14356007.a25_413.pub3|isbn=978-3527306732}}</ref>

Sugar alcohols are added to foods because of their lower caloric content than [[sugar]]s; however, they are also, in general, less sweet, and are often combined with high-intensity [[Sugar substitute|sweeteners]]. They are also added to [[chewing gum]] because they are not broken down by bacteria in the mouth or [[metabolized]] to acids, and thus do not contribute to [[tooth decay]]. [[Maltitol]], [[sorbitol]], [[xylitol]], [[erythritol]], and [[isomalt]] are common sugar alcohols.

===Polymeric polyols===
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%" width="20%"
|- class="hintergrundfarbe6" 
|'''Polymeric polyols'''
|-
| [[File:Polyether Polyol Structural Formula V3.svg |270px]] <br />
[[Polyether polyol]]

(The oxygen atoms of the [[ether]] linkages

are shown in blue.)
|-
| [[File:Polyester Polyol Structural Formula V.3.svg |300px]] <br />[[Polyester polyol]]

(The oxygen and carbon atoms

of the [[ester group]]s are shown in blue.)
|}

The term ''polyol'' is used for various chemistries of the molecular backbone. Polyols may be reacted with [[diisocyanate]]s or polyisocyanates to produce [[polyurethane]]s. [[Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate|MDI]] finds considerable use in PU foam production.<ref>{{Citation|title=4,4′-Methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI) and polymeric MDI″ (PMDI) [MAK Value Documentation, 1997]|date=2012|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/3527600418.mb10168stae0008|work=The MAK-Collection for Occupational Health and Safety|pages=66–96|publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Ltd|language=en|doi=10.1002/3527600418.mb10168stae0008|isbn=978-3-527-60041-0|access-date=2022-02-12}}</ref> Polyurethanes are used to make flexible foam for [[mattresses]] and seating, rigid foam insulation for [[refrigerator]]s and [[freezers]], [[elastomeric]] shoe soles, fibers (e.g. [[Spandex]]), coatings, sealants and [[adhesives]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Boustead | first = I. | work = Eco-Profiles of the European Plastics Industry | title = Polyurethane rigid foam | year = 2005 | publisher = PlasticsEurope | location = Brussels | url = http://www.isopa.org/isopa/uploads/Documents/documents/rigid%20foam%20LCI.pdf | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130925082609/http://www.isopa.org/isopa/uploads/Documents/documents/rigid%20foam%20LCI.pdf | archivedate = 2013-09-25 }}</ref>

The term ''polyol'' is also attributed to other molecules containing hydroxyl groups. For instance, [[polyvinyl alcohol]] is (CH<sub>2</sub>CHOH)<sub>''n''</sub> with ''n'' hydroxyl groups where ''n'' can be in the thousands. [[Cellulose]] is a polymer with many hydroxyl groups, but it is not referred to as a polyol.

===Polyols from recycled or renewable sources===
There are polyols based on renewable sources such as [[Bioplastic|plant-based]] materials including [[castor oil]] and [[cottonseed oil]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nelson |first1=Thomas J. |last2=Masaki |first2=Bryan |last3=Morseth |first3=Zachary |last4=Webster |first4=Dean C. |date=2013-11-01 |title=Highly functional biobased polyols and their use in melamine–formaldehyde coatings |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-013-9524-0 |journal=Journal of Coatings Technology and Research |language=en |volume=10 |issue=6 |pages=757–767 |doi=10.1007/s11998-013-9524-0 |s2cid=93718470 |issn=1935-3804 |access-date=2023-03-09 |archive-date=2023-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314202621/https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11998-013-9524-0 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jia |first1=Lian Kun |last2=Gong |first2=Li Xiang |last3=Ji |first3=Wen Jiao |last4=Kan |first4=Cheng You |date=2011-11-01 |title=Synthesis of vegetable oil based polyol with cottonseed oil and sorbitol derived from natural source |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1001841711001860 |journal=Chinese Chemical Letters |language=en |volume=22 |issue=11 |pages=1289–1292 |doi=10.1016/j.cclet.2011.05.043 |issn=1001-8417|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Narute |first1=Prashant |last2=Palanisamy |first2=Aruna |date=2016-01-01 |title=Study of the performance of polyurethane coatings derived from cottonseed oil polyol |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-015-9741-9 |journal=Journal of Coatings Technology and Research |language=en |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=171–179 |doi=10.1007/s11998-015-9741-9 |s2cid=98726099 |issn=1935-3804|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Vegetable oils and biomass are also potential renewable polyol raw materials.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Malani |first1=Ritesh S. |last2=Malshe |first2=Vinod C. |last3=Thorat |first3=Bhaskar Narayan |year=2022 |title=Polyols and polyurethanes from renewable sources: past, present and future—part 1: vegetable oils and lignocellulosic biomass |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-021-00490-0 |journal=Journal of Coatings Technology and Research |language=en |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=201–222 |doi=10.1007/s11998-021-00490-0 |s2cid=235442129 |issn=1935-3804|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Seed oil can even be used to produce polyester polyols.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Argyropoulos |first1=John |last2=Popa |first2=Paul |last3=Spilman |first3=Gary |last4=Bhattacharjee |first4=Debkumar |last5=Koonce |first5=William |date=2009-12-01 |title=Seed oil based polyester polyols for coatings |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-008-9154-0 |journal=Journal of Coatings Technology and Research |language=en |volume=6 |issue=4 |pages=501–508 |doi=10.1007/s11998-008-9154-0 |s2cid=96095676 |issn=1935-3804 |access-date=2023-03-14 |archive-date=2023-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314202649/https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11998-008-9154-0 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Properties==
Since the generic term polyol is only derived from [[chemical nomenclature]] and just indicates the presence of several hydroxyl groups, no common properties can be assigned to all polyols. However, polyols are usually viscous at room temperature due to hydrogen bonding.

==See also==
* [[Cyclitol]]
* [[Oligomer]]
* [[Polyurethane]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Polyols}}

[[Category:Polyols| ]]
[[Category:Sugar substitutes]]
[[Category:Organic polymers]]
[[Category:Commodity chemicals]]
[[Category:Polymer chemistry]]
[[Category:Synthetic resins]]
[[Category:Polyurethanes]]