Polyol

Structure of an idealized alkyd resin derived from the polyol glycerol (red, a low molecular weight polyol) and phthalic anhydride.

Low molecular weight polyols are widely used in polymer chemistry, where they function as crosslinking agents. Alkyd resins for example are used in paints and in molds for casting. They are the dominant resin or "binder" in most commercial "oil-based" coatings. Approximately 200,000 tons of alkyd resins are produced each year. They are based on linking reactive monomers with through ester formation. Polyols used in the production of commercial alkyd resins are glycerol, trimethylolpropane, and pentaerythritol.[1]

Low molecular weight polyols

Pentaerythritol

Xylitol

Sugar alcohols, a class of low molecular weight polyols, are commonly obtained by hydrogenation of sugars. They have the formula (CHOH)_nH₂, where n = 4–6.[2]

Sugar alcohols are added to foods because of their lower caloric content than sugars; however, they are also, in general, less sweet, and are often combined with high-intensity sweeteners. They are also added to chewing gum because they are not broken down by bacteria in the mouth or metabolized to acids, and thus do not contribute to tooth decay. Maltitol, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, and isomalt are common sugar alcohols.

Polymeric polyols

Polyether polyol (The oxygen atoms of the ether linkages are shown in blue.)

Polyester polyol (The oxygen and carbon atoms of the ester groups are shown in blue.)

The term polyol is used for a number of polyethers of polyols and polyesters ("polyether polyols" and "polyester polyols"). A typical example is polyethylene oxide or polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG). Polyols are reacted with diisocyanates to produce polyurethanes. Polyurethanes are used to make flexible foam for mattresses and seating, rigid foam insulation for refrigerators and freezers, elastomeric shoe soles, fibers (e.g. Spandex), coatings, sealants and adhesives.

The term "polyol" is also attributed to polymers comprising a multitude of hydroxyl groups, e.g. polyvinyl alcohol has the formula (CH₂CHOH)_n, i.e. it has n alcohol groups where n can be in the thousands. Cellulose is a polymer with many alcohol groups, but it is usually not referred to as a polyol.

A distinction has to be made between polymeric compounds containing terminal hydroxyl groups (polyether polyols and polyester polyols) and polymeric compounds containing multiple hydroxyl groups (e.g. polyvinyl alcohol).