Propylene Carbonate

Synonyms: Carbonic acid, cyclic propylene ester; cyclic methylethylene carbonate; cyclic propylene carbonate; 4-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane; 1,2-propanediol cyclic carbonate; 1,2-propylene carbonate.

Description: Propylene carbonate is a clear, colorless, mobile liquid, with a faint odor.

Chemical Name: -4-Methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one

Gelling agent; solvent.

• Propylene carbonate is used mainly as a solvent in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations.

• In topical applications, propylene carbonate has been used in combination with propylene glycol as a solvent for corticosteroids.

• The corticosteroid is dissolved in the solvent mixture to yield microdroplets that can then be dispersed in petrolatum.

• Propylene carbonate has been used as a dispensing solvent in topical preparations.

• Propylene carbonate has also been used in hard gelatin capsules as a nonvolatile, stabilizing, liquid carrier.

• For formulations with a low dosage of active drug, a uniform drug content may be obtained by dissolving the drug in propylene carbonate and then spraying this solution on to a solid carrier such as compressible sugar; the sugar may then be filled into hard gelatin capsules.

• Propylene carbonate may additionally be used as a solvent, at room and elevated temperatures, for many cellulose-based polymers and plasticizers. Propylene carbonate is also used in cosmetics.

Propylene carbonate hydrolyzes rapidly in the presence of strong acids and bases, forming mainly propylene oxide and carbon dioxide. Propylene carbonate can also react with primary and secondary amines to yield carbamates.

Propylene carbonate is used as a solvent in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations, and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant material.

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Propylene carbonate may be irritant to the eyes and mucous membranes. Eye protection and gloves are recommended.

(S)-Propylene carbonate.