Trimethylolethane triglycidyl ether

Trimethylolethane triglycidyl ether (TMETGE) is an organic chemical in the glycidyl ether family. It has the formula C14H24O6 and the IUPAC name is 2-({2-methyl-3-[(oxiran-2-yl)methoxy]-2-{[(oxiran-2-yl)methoxy]methyl}propoxy}methyl)oxirane. The CAS number is 68460-21-9. A key use is as a modifier for epoxy resins as a reactive diluent.

Alternative names

 * Trimethylolethane,chloromethyloxirane polymer
 * Trimethylolethane triglycidyl ether
 * 1,3-Propanediol,2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-,polymer with (chloromethyl)oxirane
 * 1,3-Propanediol,2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-,polymer with 2-(chloromethyl)oxirane
 * 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol-2-(chloromethyl)oxirane (1:1)

Manufacture
Trimethylolethane and epichlorohydrin are reacted with a Lewis acid catalyst to form a halohydrin. The next step is dehydrochlorination with sodium hydroxide. This forms the triglycidyl ether. Waste products are sodium chloride, water and excess sodium hydroxide (alkaline brine).

Uses
As the molecule has 3 oxirane functionalities, a key use is modifying and reducing the viscosity of epoxy resins but giving higher functionality. These reactive diluent modified epoxy resins may then be further formulated into CASE applications: Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers. The use of the diluent does effect mechanical properties and microstructure of epoxy resins. It produces epoxy coatings with high impact resistance The molecule has been used to synthesize other molecules.

External websites

 * Hexion Poly-functional Modifiers
 * Denacol epoxy diluent range
 * Cargill Reactive diluents
 * GE31_Technical Data Sheet