1,3-Propanediol (PDO) | CAS 504-63-2

Product Overview

1,3-Propanediol (PDO, CAS 504-63-2) is a key aliphatic diol containing two primary hydroxyl groups.      Owing to its balanced three-carbon backbone and high reactivity, PDO is widely used as a      building block for polyesters, polyurethanes, coatings, solvents, and fine chemical intermediates.

Its most prominent downstream application is polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT),      where PDO contributes to a distinctive balance of elasticity, resilience, and durability in polymer performance.

Molecular Structure & Key Characteristics

• Functional groups: two primary hydroxyl (–OH) groups enabling esterification, polycondensation, and addition reactions
• Carbon backbone: linear three-carbon chain providing moderate flexibility and controlled polarity
• Hydrogen bonding: strong intermolecular interactions affecting boiling point, viscosity, and solubility
• Structural role: versatile diol unit for tailoring polymer chain architecture and material properties

Compared with shorter or longer diols, PDO offers a unique performance window in polymer design.

Chemical Role & Reaction Mechanism

PDO functions primarily through the high reactivity of its two primary hydroxyl groups:      in polyester synthesis, it reacts with diacids or diesters via esterification or transesterification      followed by polycondensation to form polymer chains.      In polyurethane systems, PDO reacts with isocyanates (–NCO) to form urethane linkages,      acting as a chain extender or soft-segment modifier.

• Polyesters (e.g., PTT): controls crystallinity, elasticity, and recovery behavior
• Polyurethanes: tunes flexibility, abrasion resistance, and low-temperature performance
• Intermediates: participates in etherification, esterification, and oxidation routes

Final material properties depend on formulation, catalysts, and processing conditions.

Typical Physicochemical Properties

• Appearance: colorless, transparent liquid (per COA)
• Hydroxyl type: primary diol with high chemical reactivity
• Solubility: miscible with water and compatible with many organic solvents
• Hygroscopicity: prone to moisture uptake due to hydrogen bonding
• Handling: moisture control recommended for polymer-grade applications

Water content, color, and trace impurities are key quality parameters for industrial users.

Applications by Industry

• Polyesters: PTT fibers, engineering plastics, and copolyesters
• Polyurethanes: coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, and foams
• Solvents: high-boiling, hydrophilic solvent or co-solvent systems
• Fine chemicals: intermediate for surfactants, functional additives, and specialty materials

PDO’s versatility allows it to serve both bulk polymer markets and higher-value specialty applications.

Comparison with Similar Diols

Versus ethylene glycol (EG) and 1,2-propanediol (PG):      EG has a shorter backbone and leads to higher crystallinity and rigidity in polyesters,      while PG (a 1,2-diol) exhibits different reactivity due to secondary hydroxyl groups.      PDO, as a 1,3-diol with two primary –OH groups, offers distinct polymer architectures.

Versus 1,4-butanediol (BDO):      BDO provides a longer chain and different flexibility/crystallization behavior,      whereas PDO offers an intermediate chain length for fine-tuning mechanical and thermal properties.

• Distinct chain length and polarity window
• Different crystallization and elasticity balance
• Alternative design option for polymer formulators

Core Advantages (Two Dimensions)

1) Technical / Performance Advantages

• Two primary hydroxyl groups enabling high reactivity and broad chemistry
• Three-carbon backbone offering a unique balance of flexibility and strength
• Clear monomer positioning in PTT and related polyester systems
• Suitable for polymer, solvent, and intermediate pathways

2) Application / Compliance / Supply Advantages

• Demand across multiple downstream industries (polyesters, PU, coatings)
• Specification-based quality control (water, color, impurities)
• Compatible with large-scale production and long-term supply planning
• Supports standard documentation such as COA and SDS

Market Outlook & Growth Drivers

Global demand for PDO is primarily driven by polyester (especially PTT) and polyurethane applications.      As industries pursue materials with improved durability, elasticity, and sustainability profiles,      PDO continues to play a strategic role as a platform diol.      Its expanding use in fine chemical intermediates and solvent systems further supports diversified growth potential.

FR — Présentation

Le 1,3-propanediol (PDO, CAS 504-63-2) est un diol aliphatique contenant deux groupes hydroxyle primaires. Il est largement utilisé comme bloc de construction dans les polyesters, polyuréthanes, revêtements, solvants et intermédiaires chimiques fins.

FR — Mécanisme

Dans les polyesters, le PDO réagit avec des diacides ou diesters par estérification ou transestérification, suivie d’une polycondensation. Dans les polyuréthanes, il réagit avec les isocyanates pour former des liaisons uréthane, modulant flexibilité et durabilité.

FR — Propriétés

• Liquide incolore et transparent
• Deux fonctions alcool primaires à forte réactivité
• Miscible avec l’eau et de nombreux solvants organiques
• Sensibilité à l’humidité (liaisons hydrogène)

FR — Applications

• Polyesters (notamment PTT)
• Polyuréthanes, adhésifs, revêtements
• Solvants à point d’ébullition élevé
• Intermédiaires chimiques

FR — Comparaison

Comparé à l’éthylène glycol ou au 1,2-propanediol, le PDO offre une longueur de chaîne différente, apportant un équilibre spécifique entre élasticité et résistance.

FR — Avantages

• Technique : grande réactivité et flexibilité de conception des polymères
• Approvisionnement : adapté à la production industrielle et au contrôle qualité

FR — Marché

La croissance est tirée par les polyesters (PTT) et les polyuréthanes, ainsi que par l’expansion des applications intermédiaires à plus forte valeur ajoutée.

ES — Descripción

El 1,3-propanodiol (PDO, CAS 504-63-2) es un diol alifático con dos grupos hidroxilo primarios, utilizado como materia prima en poliésteres, poliuretanos, disolventes e intermediarios químicos.

ES — Mecanismo

En poliésteres, reacciona con diácidos o diésteres formando cadenas poliméricas. En poliuretanos, reacciona con isocianatos formando enlaces uretano que influyen en la elasticidad.

ES — Propiedades

• Líquido incoloro
• Alta reactividad química
• Miscible con agua
• Carácter higroscópico

ES — Aplicaciones

• Poliésteres (PTT)
• Poliuretanos, recubrimientos
• Disolventes y co-disolventes
• Intermedios químicos

ES — Ventajas

• Versatilidad química
• Adecuado para producción a gran escala

ES — Mercado

La demanda crece con la expansión de materiales poliméricos avanzados.

DE — Überblick

1,3-Propandiol (PDO, CAS 504-63-2) ist ein aliphatisches Diol mit zwei primären Hydroxylgruppen und ein wichtiger Rohstoff für Polyester, Polyurethane und chemische Zwischenprodukte.

DE — Mechanismus

Es reagiert in Polyesterprozessen über Veresterung und Polykondensation sowie in Polyurethanen über Urethanbindungen mit Isocyanaten.

DE — Eigenschaften

• Farblose, klare Flüssigkeit
• Hohe Reaktivität
• Wasser- und lösungsmittelverträglich
• Feuchtigkeitsempfindlich

DE — Anwendungen

• PTT-Polyester
• Polyurethane
• Lösungsmittel und Zwischenprodukte

DE — Vorteile

• Ausgewogenes Struktur- und Leistungsprofil
• Industrie- und skalierfreundlich

DE — Markt

Wachstum wird durch technische Kunststoffe und funktionale Materialien getragen.

RU — Обзор

1,3-пропандиол (PDO, CAS 504-63-2) — алифатический диол с двумя первичными гидроксильными группами, широко применяемый в полиэфирах, полиуретанах и химических промежуточных продуктах.

RU — Механизм

В полиэфирах участвует в реакциях этерификации и поликонденсации, а в полиуретанах образует уретановые связи с изоцианатами.

RU — Свойства

• Бесцветная жидкость
• Высокая реакционная способность
• Смешивается с водой

RU — Применение

• Полиэфиры (PTT)
• Полиуретаны
• Растворители и промежуточные продукты

RU — Рынок

Спрос поддерживается развитием высокоэффективных полимерных материалов.

TR — Genel Bakış

1,3-Propanediol (PDO, CAS 504-63-2), iki birincil hidroksil grubuna sahip alifatik bir dioldür ve polyesterler, poliüretanlar ve kimyasal ara ürünlerde kullanılır.

TR — Mekanizma

Polyesterlerde esterleşme ve polikondenzasyon, poliüretanlarda ise izosiyanatlarla üretan bağları oluşturur.

TR — Özellikler

• Renksiz sıvı
• Yüksek reaktivite
• Su ile uyumlu

TR — Uygulamalar

• PTT ve diğer polyesterler
• Poliüretan sistemler
• Çözücüler ve ara maddeler

TR — Pazar

Polimer ve malzeme pazarındaki büyüme talebi desteklemektedir.

AR — نظرة عامة

1,3-بروبانديول (PDO، CAS 504-63-2) هو ثنائي كحول أليفاتي يحتوي على مجموعتي هيدروكسيل أوليتين، ويُستخدم في البوليستر والبولي يوريثان والمذيبات والمواد الوسيطة الكيميائية.

AR — آلية التفاعل

يشارك في تفاعلات الأسترة والتكاثف في البوليستر، ويكوّن روابط يوريثان مع الإيزوسيانات في أنظمة البولي يوريثان.

AR — الخصائص

• سائل عديم اللون
• نشاط كيميائي مرتفع
• قابل للامتزاج مع الماء

AR — التطبيقات

• البوليستر (PTT)
• البولي يوريثان
• المذيبات والمواد الوسيطة

AR — السوق

ينمو الطلب مع توسع استخدام المواد البوليمرية المتقدمة.