Trimethylolpropane is the organic compound

Organic compound

An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...

 with the formula CH₃CH₂C(CH₂OH)₃. This colorless solid is a triol

Triol

A triol is a chemical compound containing three hydroxyl groups , such as glycerol. An example of triol on benzene is benzenetriol.- See also :* Alcohols, chemical compounds with one hydroxyl group...

. Containing three hydroxy functional group

Functional group

In organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. The same functional group will undergo the same or similar chemical reaction regardless of the size of the molecule it is a part of...

s, TMP is a widely used building block in the polymer industry.

Production

TMP is produced via a two step process, starting with the condensation

Condensation reaction

A condensation reaction is a chemical reaction in which two molecules or moieties combine to form one single molecule, together with the loss of a small molecule. When this small molecule is water, it is known as a dehydration reaction; other possible small molecules lost are hydrogen chloride,...

 of butanal

Butanal

Butyraldehyde, also known as butanal, is an organic compound with the formula CH32CHO. This compound is the aldehyde derivative of butane. It is a colourless flammable liquid with an acrid smell...

 with formaldehyde

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is an organic compound with the formula CH2O. It is the simplest aldehyde, hence its systematic name methanal.Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. It is an important precursor to many other chemical compounds, especially for polymers...

:

CH₃CH₂CH₂CHO + 2 CH₂O → CH₃CH₂C(CH₂OH)₂CHO

The second step entails a Cannizaro reaction:

CH₃CH₂C(CH₂OH)₂CHO + CH₂O + NaOH → CH₃CH₂C(CH₂OH)₃ + NaO₂CH

Sodium formate

Sodium formate, HCOONa, is the sodium salt of formic acid, HCOOH. It usually appears as a white deliquescent powder.-Uses:Sodium formate is used in several fabric dyeing and printing processes...

Approximately 200,000,000 kg are produced annually in this way.

Applications

TMP is mainly consumed as a precursor to alkyd

Alkyd

An alkyd is a polyester modified by the addition of fatty acids and other components. They are derived from polyols and a dicarboxylic acid or carboxylic acid anhydride. The term alkyd is a modification of the original name "alcid", reflecting the fact that they are derived from alcohol and...

 resin

Resin

Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...

s. Otherwise, acrylated and alkoxylated TMP's are used as multifunctional monomers to produce various coatings, Ethoxylated and propoxylated TMP, derived condensation of from TMP and the epoxide

Epoxide

An epoxide is a cyclic ether with three ring atoms. This ring approximately defines an equilateral triangle, which makes it highly strained. The strained ring makes epoxides more reactive than other ethers. Simple epoxides are named from the parent compound ethylene oxide or oxirane, such as in...

s, are used for production of flexible polyurethane

Polyurethane

A polyurethane is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate links. Polyurethane polymers are formed through step-growth polymerization, by reacting a monomer with another monomer in the presence of a catalyst.Polyurethanes are...

s. Allyl ether derivatives of TMP, with the formula CH₃CH₂C(CH₂OCH₂CH=CH₂)_3-x(CH₂OH)_x are precursors to high-gloss coatings and ion exchange resin

Ion exchange resin

An ion-exchange resin or ion-exchange polymer is an insoluble matrix normally in the form of small beads, usually white or yellowish, fabricated from an organic polymer substrate. The material has highly developed structure of pores on the surface of which are sites with easily trapped and...

s. The oxetane

Oxetane

Oxetane, or 1,3-propylene oxide, is an heterocyclic organic compound with the molecular formula C3H6O, having a four-membered ring with three carbon atoms and one oxygen atom....

"TMPO" is a photoinduceable polymerization initiator.