1,2,3-Trimethoxypropane: A Glycerol-Derived Physical Solvent for CO2 Absorption

• Published in: ACS sustainable chemistry & engineering 2017-01, Vol.5 (1), p.911-921
• Main Authors: Flowers, Brian S, Mittenthal, Max S, Jenkins, Alexander H, Wallace, David A, Whitley, John W, Dennis, Grayson P, Wang, Mei, Turner, C. Heath, Emel’yanenko, Vladimir N, Verevkin, Sergey P, Bara, Jason E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2168-0485; 2168-0485
• DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b02231

1,2,3-Trimethoxypropane (1,2,3-TMP) is the trimethyl ether of propane-1,2,3-triol, better known as glycerol, which can be derived from triglycerides originating from either plant or animal sources. Despite its simple structure and the ubiquity of its glycerol precursor, successful synthesis of 1,2,3-TMP was only recently reported in the literature, with studies suggesting it may be a “green” and nontoxic alternative to solvents such as diglyme, a constitutional isomer. However, no thermophysical properties of 1,2,3-TMP have yet been reported. Furthermore, the structure of 1,2,3-TMP is also analogous to polyether solvents used in the Selexol process for removal of CO2 and other “acid” gases from CH4, H2, etc. As such, examining the solubility of CO2 in 1,2,3-TMP is also of interest. This work details our initial studies and characterization of 1,2,3-TMP as a physical solvent for CO2 absorption, as well as the characterization of its density, viscosity, and vapor pressure with respect to temperature. 1,2,3-TMP exhibits favorable properties, and glycerol-derived triethers warrant deeper consideration as new solvents for CO2 absorption and other gas treating applications.