ABSTRACT
Glycerine has a very wide range of applications and uses due to its unique combination of properties. The dibasic acid is usually phthalic acid, the polyol is glycerine, and the fatty acid is polyunsaturated. Glycerine is the predominant polyhydric alcohol used because the alkyd reactions can be controlled using glycerine. Glycerine is a very important component in the manufacture of tobacco products. Its use in this industry accounts for the major market for glycerine outside of foods and cosmetics. The use of glycerine in urethanes started in the late 1950s and since then such applications has rapidly increased. Glycerine triacetate can be prepared by reacting glycerine with acetic acid under normal esterification methods, but the glycerine usually is reacted with acetic anhydride to produce high-grade glycerine triacetate. The high boiling point and other properties of glycerine make it useful to the food industry; it allows the elimination of ethanol which is commonly used in many food preparations.
