Triacetin

Synonyms

Acetic, 1,2,3-propanetriyl ester; 1,2,3-Propanetriol triacetate; 1,2,3-Propanetriyl triacetate; Acetin, tri-; Enzactin; Fungacetin; Glycerin triacetate; Glycerol triacetate; Glyceryl triacetate; Glyped; Kesscoflex TRA; Kodaflex triacetin; Triacetina [INN-Spanish]; Triacetine [INN-French]; Triacetinum [INN-Latin]; Triacetyl glycerine; Triacetylglycerol; Vanay; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Esters, Other

Description

Colorless liquid with a mild fatty odor; [Merck Index] Colorless oily liquid with an odor like petroleum; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used as cellulose plasticizer for cigarette filters; in binders for solid rocket fuels; as fixative in perfumes; to make cosmetics and pharmaceuticals; as solvent for celluloid and photographic films; to remove carbon dioxide from natural gas; and as topical antifungal medication; Technical triacetin (mixture of mono-, di-, and small quantities of triacetin) used as a solvent for basic dyes (especially indulines) and tannin in dyeing; [HSDB] Used in cigarette filters; Skin sensitization reported in a worker at a cigarette manufacturing plant; [Kanerva, p. 1841]

Comments

A mild skin irritant; [ICSC] An eye irritant; [HSDB] Causes somnolence, spastic paralysis, and convulsions in lethal dose animal experiments; [RTECS] Tends to hydrolyze into acetic acid and glycerol both in the environment and in the body; [ToxPlanet: CPS&Q: IUCLID] May cause eye irritation; [MSDSonline] Documented occupational contact dermatitis in a cigarette manufacturing worker; [Kanerva, p. 1851]

Biomedical References

0.00248 mm Hg

LC50 (rat) > 1,721 mg/m3/4h

must be preheated

Yes

Other CNS neurotoxin

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact dermatitis, allergic

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Photographic Processing