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Glycerol molecule model (C3H8O3)
Glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol) is a three-carbon chain with an OH group on every carbon. It forms the backbone of fats and oils (triglycerides) and is a sweet, viscous liquid.
Drag to rotate · pinch or scroll to zoom. 3D coordinates: PubChem conformer (CID 753).
Glycerol at a glance
| Formula | C3H8O3 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 92.09 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | propane-1,2,3-triol |
| Atoms / bonds | 14 / 13 |
| H-bond donors / acceptors | 3 / 3 |
| XLogP3 | -1.8 |
| SMILES | C(C(CO)O)O |
| PubChem CID | 753 |
What the 3D model of Glycerol shows
The model contains 14 atoms (6 heavy atoms and 8 hydrogens) joined by 13 bonds; in ball-and-stick mode every stick is one bond, and double or aromatic bonds are drawn as multiple sticks. Switch to space-filling to see the molecule as its electron cloud, scaled to van der Waals radii: this is the shape other molecules actually "feel". It can donate 3 and accept 3 hydrogen bonds, and its PubChem XLogP3 of -1.8 means it is very water-loving (hydrophilic). Its topological polar surface area is 60.7 Ų.
Shape and bond angles
| Atom(s) | Geometry / hybridisation | Angles & lengths |
|---|---|---|
| C (×3) | Tetrahedral, sp³ | ≈ 109.5° |
| O (×3) | Bent, sp³ | C–O–H ≈ 108° |
Is Glycerol polar?
Very polar and hygroscopic. Three OH groups give extensive hydrogen bonding and high viscosity.
Elemental composition of C3H8O3
| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | Mass % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 3 | 36.033 | 39.13% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 8 | 8.064 | 8.76% |
| Oxygen (O) | 3 | 47.997 | 52.12% |
Calculated from IUPAC standard atomic weights. Check any formula with the molar mass calculator.
Uses of glycerol
- Backbone of triglycerides and phospholipids
- Humectant in cosmetics, toothpaste and food (E422)
- Starting material for nitroglycerin
Interesting facts
- Glycerol boils at 290 °C, very high for such a small molecule, because of hydrogen bonding.
- It is a by-product of soap making and of biodiesel production.
- Glycerol is about 60% as sweet as sucrose.
Drawing structures for your notes? MolDraw is a free online chemical structure editor for molecules, reactions and lab diagrams.
Open MolDraw editorFrequently asked questions
What is the structure of glycerol?
HOCH₂–CH(OH)–CH₂OH: three sp³ carbons, each carrying one hydroxyl group.
Why is glycerol so viscous?
Each molecule forms several hydrogen bonds through its three OH groups, which strongly hinders flow.
What is the chemical formula and molar mass of glycerol?
Glycerol is C3H8O3 with a molar mass of 92.09 g/mol (PubChem CID 753). It contains 14 atoms: 3 carbon, 8 hydrogen, 3 oxygen.
What is the IUPAC name of Glycerol?
The PubChem-computed IUPAC name is propane-1,2,3-triol.
How do I make a model of Glycerol?
Rotate the interactive model above to see how its 14 atoms connect, then copy it with a ball-and-stick kit: use the CPK colours shown (carbon grey or black, hydrogen white, oxygen red, nitrogen blue). For a school project, foam balls and toothpicks work well.