Chemical Information for Neo Pentyl Glycol (NPG)

Applications

Applications for Neo Pentyl Glycol (NPG) includes:

Coating Resins

• Neopentyl glycol is used to produce saturated resins that are formulated into oil-free, high- and low-solids, alkyd coatings.
• Superior balance between hardness and flexibility, more stable to heat and ultraviolet radiation
• Applications include metal furniture, appliance, automotive, coil and varnish coatings.

Powder Coatings

• Like alkyd coatings, powder coatings are characterized by superior hydrolysis resistance, good weatherability and good hardness/flexibility balance.
• Application include general metal, appliance, metal furniture, automotive and machinery coatings.

Gel Coating Resins

• Applications include marine accessories, general construction, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, corrosion resistant tanks, pipes, ducts and many others.

Fiberglass Reinforced Resins

• Used in fiber glass reinforced resins that offer high impact strength and flexibility, outstanding dielectric properties, high mechanical stability and malleability, good chemical resistance, good light transmission and low thermal conductivity.
• Applications the same areas as gel coats, along with recreational consumer goods and electrical components.

Plasticizers

• Used to manufacture polyester plasticizers that are used mainly to modify polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin systems.
• When blended plasticizers, PVC resin systems exhibit superior low temperature properties while retaining low volatility with high resistance to migration and loss of flexibility.

Synthetic Lubricants

• Used to manufacture diester resins used in the production of synthetic lubricants.
• These lubricants exhibit superior thermal and oxidative stability, low solidification points, high viscosity indices and high flash points.

Chemical Information and Process Technology

What is NeoPentyl Glycol (NPG)?

Chemical Formula:

2,2-DIMETHYL-1,3-PROPANEDIOL)(CH₃)₂C(CH₂OH)₂

The quaternary structure of NEOL allows it to offer superior hydrolytic stability, weatherability and a good balance between hardness and flexibility. The two methyl groups, instead of the usual two hydrogen atoms, on the alpha carbon atom are responsible for the high chemical and thermal stability. NPG is a very important intermediate for the industrial use.

Synthesis of NeoPentylGlycol (NPG)

Isobutyraldehyde + Formaldehyde => Hydroxypivaldehyde

Hydrogenation of Hydroxypivaldehyde => Neopentyl Glycol

(via catalyst, mostly used: Ni-Cr, Cu-Zn, Cu-Al, Cu-Cr, Cr, Ba)

• New invention is to provide a process for with high catalytic and high selectivity
• US Patent 4933473: The new catalyst under extensive research is Pt-Ru-W

Mass Calculation for Production of NPG

To produce 1 tonne (1000kg) of NPG, using the above equation; raw materials needed are as shown below:

Raw materials	Amount
Isobutyraldehyde	692 kg
Formaldehyde	288.5 kg
Hydrogen	19.2 kg

The total equation for NPG is as follows:

Isobutyraldehyde + Formaldehyde + Hydrogen => Neopentyl Glycol

And the chemical formulas for each are:

C₄H₈O + H₂CO+ H₂ => C₅H₁₂O₂

The equation is already balanced and for each 1 mol of NPG, 1 mol of each raw material is needed.

Using the periodic table, the mass for each chemical can be obtained through back-calculation using their respective molecular weight. This is governed by the equation, mol = mass/molecular weight

The molecular mass for each is as follows:

• C₄H₈O = 48 + 8 + 16 = 72
• H₂CO = 2 + 12 + 16 = 30
• H₂ = 2
• C₅H₁₂O₂ = 60 + 12 + 32 = 104

Using this calculation, the production for 1 tonne of NPG can be obtained by deviding each chemicals by 104 and times each by 1000 kg