Deriatives and Uses of Propylene Oxide

Similar to ethylene oxide, the hydration of propylene oxide produces propylene glycol. Propylene oxide also reacts with alcohols, producing polypropylene glycol ethers, which are used to produce polyurethane foams and detergents. Isomerization of propylene oxide produces allyl alcohol, a precursor for glycerol. The 1994 U.S. production of propylene oxide, the 35th highest-volume chemical, was approximately 3.7 billion pounds. Table 1.1 shows the 1992 U.S. propylene oxide capacity of the three firms producing it and the processes used. The following describes some of the important chemicals based on propylene oxide.

Table 1.1