Polyol

#Polyol is an organic compound containing multiple hydroxyl groups (OH). The term "polyol" can have slightly different meanings depending on whether it is used in hashtag#food science or hashtag#polymer chemistry.

Polyols can be either polyether polyols or polyester polyols. hashtag#Polyether polyols are made by the reaction of epoxides with compounds having active hydrogen atoms.

hashtag#Polyester polyols are made by the polycondensation reaction of multifunctional carboxylic acids and polyhydroxyl compounds. They can be further categorized according to their end use.

Polyols may be reacted with diisocyanates or polyisocyanates to produce polyurethanes. hashtag#polyurethanes are used to make flexible foam for mattresses and seating, rigid foam insulation for refrigerators and freezers, elastomeric shoe soles, fibers, coatings, sealants, and adhesives.

Higher molecular weight polyols with molecular weights from 2000 to 10,000 are used to make more flexible hashtag#polyurethanes (PUs), while lower molecular weight polyols are used for making more rigid products.