Triacetin

• BPTriacetin
• Ph. Eur.Triacetin
• USP–NFTriacetin

Glycerin triacetate; glyceryl triacetate; glycerol triacetate; 1,2,3-triacetylglycerol; triacetinum; E1518

Propane-1,2,3-triyl triacetate · [102-76-1]

UNII XHX3C3X673 · PubChem CID 5541

C9H14O6 · 218.20

Plasticiser, Solvent, humectant

Typical concentrations: — · Dosage forms: Solid

Used mainly as a hydrophilic plasticiser in aqueous and solvent-based film coatings of tablets, beads and granules, typically at about 10–35% w/w of the polymer. It is also used as a humectant, as a solvent for flavours and drugs, in cosmetics and in perfumery, and as a food additive.

A colourless, slightly viscous, oily liquid with a slight fatty odour and a bitter taste. It is the triacetyl ester of glycerol.

Density

about 1.16 g/cm³ at 25 °C

Boiling point

about 258–260 °C

Refractive index

about 1.43 (n D 20)

Solubility

soluble in water (about 1 in 14); miscible with ethanol, chloroform and toluene

Physical state

colourless, slightly viscous liquid; solidifies at about 3 °C

Stable. Store in a well-closed, non-metallic container in a cool, dry place.

Incompatible with metals and strong oxidising agents. It can soften or dissolve some plastics and rubbers and may react with them.

Prepared by esterifying glycerol with acetic acid or acetic anhydride.

Used in oral, parenteral and topical products and as a food additive, and generally regarded as non-toxic. It is hydrolysed in the body to glycerol and acetic acid. Mild skin and eye irritation may occur.

Observe normal precautions for the quantity handled. Eye protection and gloves are recommended; it is combustible.

GRAS listed. Accepted as a food additive in Europe (E1518). Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredient Database (oral capsules and tablets; intramuscular injections; topical and other preparations) and in non-parenteral medicines licensed in Europe.

Acetyltributyl citrate; acetyltriethyl citrate; dibutyl sebacate; tributyl citrate; triethyl citrate.

Because it is water-soluble, triacetin may leach out of coatings during storage at high humidity or in dissolution media, which can change the film's mechanical properties and drug release; these effects should be checked in stability studies.