Propylene Glycol
76.091,2-Propanediol.
1,2-Propanediol
[57-55-6].» Propylene Glycol contains not less than 99.5 percent of C3H8O2.
Packaging and storage—
Preserve in tight containers.
Identification, Infrared Absorption 
197F
on undried specimen.
197F
on undried specimen.
Specific gravity 841:
between 1.035 and 1.037.
841:
between 1.035 and 1.037.
Acidity—
Add 1 mL of phenolphthalein TS to 50 mL of water, then add 0.1 N sodium hydroxide until the solution remains pink for 30 seconds. Then add 10 mL of Propylene Glycol, accurately measured, and titrate with 0.10 N sodium hydroxide until the original pink color returns and remains for 30 seconds: not more than 0.20 mL of 0.10 N sodium hydroxide is required.
Water, Method I 921:
not more than 0.2%.
921:
not more than 0.2%.
Residue on ignition—
Heat 50 g in a tared 100-mL shallow dish until it ignites, and allow it to burn without further application of heat in a place free from drafts. Cool, moisten the residue with 0.5 mL of sulfuric acid, and ignite to constant weight: the weight of the residue does not exceed 3.5 mg.
Chloride 221—
A 1-mL portion shows no more chloride than corresponds to 0.10 mL of 0.020 N hydrochloric acid (0.007%).
221—
A 1-mL portion shows no more chloride than corresponds to 0.10 mL of 0.020 N hydrochloric acid (0.007%).
Sulfate 221—
A 5.0-mL portion shows no more sulfate than corresponds to 0.30 mL of 0.020 N sulfuric acid (0.006%).
221—
A 5.0-mL portion shows no more sulfate than corresponds to 0.30 mL of 0.020 N sulfuric acid (0.006%).
Heavy metals 231—
Mix 4.0 mL with water to make 25 mL: the limit is 5 ppm.
231—
Mix 4.0 mL with water to make 25 mL: the limit is 5 ppm.
Assay—
Chromatographic system (see Chromatography 621)—
The gas chromatograph is equipped with a thermal conductivity detector, and contains a 1-m × 4-mm column packed with 5% G16 on support S5. The injection port temperature is 240
, the detector temperature is 250, and the column temperature is programmed at a rate of 5 per minute from 120 to 200, and helium is used as the carrier gas. The approximate retention time for propylene glycol is 5.7 minutes, and the approximate retention times for the 3 isomers of dipropylene glycol, when present, are 8.2, 9.0, and 10.2 minutes, respectively.
621)—
The gas chromatograph is equipped with a thermal conductivity detector, and contains a 1-m × 4-mm column packed with 5% G16 on support S5. The injection port temperature is 240, the detector temperature is 250, and the column temperature is programmed at a rate of 5 per minute from 120 to 200, and helium is used as the carrier gas. The approximate retention time for propylene glycol is 5.7 minutes, and the approximate retention times for the 3 isomers of dipropylene glycol, when present, are 8.2, 9.0, and 10.2 minutes, respectively.
Procedure—
Inject a suitable volume, typically about 10 µL, of Propylene Glycol into a suitable gas chromatograph, and record the chromatogram. Calculate the percentage of C3H8O2 in the Propylene Glycol by dividing the area under the propylene glycol peak by the sum of the areas under all of the peaks, excluding those due to air and water, and multiplying by 100.
Auxiliary Information—
Please check for your question in the FAQs before contacting USP.
Chromatographic Column—
| Topic/Question | Contact | Expert Committee |
| Monograph | Kevin T. Moore, Ph.D.
Scientist 1-301-816-8369 |
(EM105) Excipient Monographs 1 |
| Reference Standards | Lili Wang, Technical Services Scientist 1-301-816-8129 RSTech@usp.org |
USP32–NF27 Page 3432
Pharmacopeial Forum: Volume No. 33(2) Page 317
Chromatographic columns text is not derived from, and not part of, USP 32 or NF 27.