# Polyol

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{{Short description|Organic compound with multiple –OH groups}}

In [organic chemistry](/source/organic_chemistry), a '''polyol''' is an [organic compound](/source/organic_compound) containing multiple [hydroxyl group](/source/hydroxyl_group)s ({{chem2|\sOH}}). The term "polyol" can have slightly different meanings depending on whether it is used in [food science](/source/food_science) or [polymer chemistry](/source/polymer_chemistry). Polyols containing two, three and four hydroxyl groups are [diol](/source/diol)s,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022|title=Basic IUPAC Organic Nomenclature - Diols (or polyols)|url=https://www.chem.ucalgary.ca/courses/351/WebContent/orgnom/alcohols/alcohols-02.html|website=University of Calgary}}</ref> [triol](/source/triol)s,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Definition of TRIOL|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/triol|access-date=2022-02-12|website=www.merriam-webster.com|language=en}}</ref> and tetrols,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tetrol Meaning |url=https://www.yourdictionary.com/tetrol|access-date=2022-02-12|website=www.yourdictionary.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=PubChem|title=Butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol|url=https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/8998|access-date=2022-02-12|website=pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov|language=en}}</ref> respectively.

== Classification ==
Polyols may be classified according to their chemistry.<ref>{{cite journal|doi = 10.1007/BF02699621|title = Polyurethanes, polyurethane dispersions and polyureas: Past, present and future|journal = Surface Coatings International Part B: Coatings Transactions|volume = 86|issue = 2|pages = 111–118|year = 2003|last1 = Howarth|first1 = GA| s2cid=93574741 }}</ref> Some of these chemistries are polyether, polyester,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Avar |first1=G. |last2=Meier-Westhues |first2=U. |last3=Casselmann |first3=H. |last4=Achten |first4=D. |title=Polymer Science: A Comprehensive Reference |chapter=Polyurethanes |date=2012 |pages=411–441 |doi=10.1016/B978-0-444-53349-4.00275-2 |isbn=978-0-08-087862-1 }}</ref> polycarbonate<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Scharfenberg |first1=Markus |last2=Hofmann |first2=Silja |last3=Preis |first3=Jasmin |last4=Hilf |first4=Jeannette |last5=Frey |first5=Holger |title=Rigid Hyperbranched Polycarbonate Polyols from CO 2 and Cyclohexene-Based Epoxides |journal=Macromolecules |date=22 August 2017 |volume=50 |issue=16 |pages=6088–6097 |doi=10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01276 |bibcode=2017MaMol..50.6088S }}</ref><ref>{{Cite patent|number=WO2011129940A1|title=Polycarbonate polyols and polyurethanes made therefrom|gdate=2011-10-20|invent1=Montgomery|invent2=Brown|invent3=Sonnenschein|invent4=Foley|inventor1-first=Steven|inventor2-first=Shawn|inventor3-first=Mark|inventor4-first=Paul|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2011129940A1/en}}</ref> and also acrylic polyols.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roesler|first=Richard|date=26 March 1986|title=Acrylic polyols having low residual monomer content European Patent|url=https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/78/38/fb/cd9c639d25a624/EP0197460A2.pdf|website=European Patent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Polyacrylate Polyols|url=https://ebrary.net/14329/environment/polyacrylate_polyols|access-date=2022-02-13|website=Ebrary}}</ref> Polyether polyols may be further subdivided and classified as [polyethylene oxide](/source/polyethylene_oxide) or [polyethylene glycol](/source/polyethylene_glycol) (PEG), [polypropylene glycol](/source/polypropylene_glycol) (PPG) and [polytetrahydrofuran](/source/polytetrahydrofuran) or PTMEG. These have 2, 3 and 4 carbon atoms respectively per oxygen atom in the repeat unit. Polycaprolactone polyols are also commercially available.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Polycaprolactone Polyols Market Report - Size and Share by 2026 {{!}} AMR|url=https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/polycaprolactone-polyols-market|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Allied Market Research|language=en}}</ref> There is also an increasing trend to use biobased (and hence renewable) polyols.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Yonghui |last2=Sun |first2=Xiuzhi Susan |title=Synthesis and characterization of acrylic polyols and polymers from soybean oils for pressure-sensitive adhesives |journal=RSC Advances |date=2015 |volume=5 |issue=55 |pages=44009–44017 |doi=10.1039/C5RA04399A |bibcode=2015RSCAd...544009L }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Patel JV, Desai SD, Sinha, VK |title= Bio-acrylic polyols for two pack polyurethane coating|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268398112|pages=259–264 |access-date=2022-02-13|journal=Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research|volume=63|issue=3|date=March 2004|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kasprzyk|first1=Paulina|last2=Sadowska|first2=Ewelina|last3=Datta|first3=Janusz|date=2019-11-01|title=Investigation of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes Synthesized via Two Different Prepolymers|journal=Journal of Polymers and the Environment|language=en|volume=27|issue=11|pages=2588–2599|doi=10.1007/s10924-019-01543-7|s2cid=201704473 |issn=1572-8919|doi-access=free|bibcode=2019JPEnv..27.2588K }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gurunathan |first1=T. |last2=Mohanty |first2=Smita |last3=Nayak |first3=Sanjay K. |title=Isocyanate terminated castor oil-based polyurethane prepolymer: Synthesis and characterization |journal=Progress in Organic Coatings |date=March 2015 |volume=80 |pages=39–48 |doi=10.1016/j.porgcoat.2014.11.017 }}</ref>

==Uses==
Polyether polyols have numerous uses.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Datta|first1=Janusz|last2=Kosiorek|first2=Paulina|last3=Włoch|first3=Marcin|date=2017-04-01|title=Synthesis, structure and properties of poly(ether-urethane)s synthesized using a tri-functional oxypropylated glycerol as a polyol|journal=Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry|language=en|volume=128|issue=1|pages=155–167|doi=10.1007/s10973-016-5928-2|s2cid=100046328 |issn=1588-2926|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=kantheti |first1=Sasidhar |last2=Sarath |first2=P.S. |last3=Narayan |first3=Ramanuj |last4=Raju |first4=K.V.S.N. |title=Synthesis and characterization of triazole rich polyether polyols using click chemistry for highly branched polyurethanes |journal=Reactive and Functional Polymers |date=December 2013 |volume=73 |issue=12 |pages=1597–1605 |doi=10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2013.09.002 |bibcode=2013RFPol..73.1597K }}</ref> As an example, [polyurethane foam](/source/polyurethane_foam) is a big user of polyether polyols.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Abraham |first1=T.W. |last2=Höfer |first2=R. |editor-last1=Matyjaszewski |editor-first1=K |editor-last2=Möller |editor-first2=M |year=2012 |chapter= 10.03 - Lipid-Based Polymer Building Blocks and Polymers |title=Polymer Science: A Comprehensive Reference |publisher=Elsevier |pages= 15–58 |doi=10.1016/B978-0-444-53349-4.00253-3 |isbn=9780080878621 }}</ref>

Polyester polyols can be used to produce rigid foam.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=McAdams |first1=Carina |last2=Farmer |first2=Steven |date=September 2003 |title=Stabilization of Rigid Systems Containing Aromatic Polyester Polyol and Water |journal=Journal of Cellular Plastics |volume=39 |issue=September 2003 |pages=369–386 |doi=10.1177/0021955X03035067 |s2cid=96795892 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=February 2022|title=Polyester polyols for rigid foam|url=https://www.stepan.com/content/dam/stepan-dot-com/webdam/website-product-documents/literature/polyester-polyols/StepanRigidFoamBrochure.pdf|website=Stepan}}</ref> They are available in both [aromatic](/source/Aromatic_compound) and [aliphatic](/source/Aliphatic_compound) versions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aromatic Polyester Polyols|url=https://purinova.com/en/products/polyester-polyols/aromatic-polyester-polyols|access-date=2022-02-12|website=purinova.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=May 2018|title=Polyester Polyols|url=https://www.nord-composites.com/fichiersusers/files/NORD-COMPOSITES_BrochuresPolyesterPolyols_May_2018.pdf|website=Nord}}</ref> They are also available in mixed aliphatic-aromatic versions often made from recycled raw materials, typically [polyethylene terephthalate](/source/polyethylene_terephthalate) (PET).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Makuska|first=Ricardas|date=2008| number= 2 |title=Glycolysis of industrial poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste directed to bis(hydroxyethylene) terephthalate and aromatic polyester polyols|journal=Chemija|volume=19|pages=29–34 |url=https://mokslozurnalai.lmaleidykla.lt/publ/0235-7216/2008/2/29-34.pdf }}</ref>

Acrylic polyols are generally used in higher performance applications where stability to [ultraviolet](/source/ultraviolet) light is required<ref>{{Cite patent|number=US6762262B1|title=Preparation of acrylic polyols|gdate=2004-07-13|invent1=Wang|invent2=Harris|inventor1-first=Wei|inventor2-first=Stephen H.|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US6762262B1/en}}</ref> and also lower [VOC](/source/Volatile_organic_compound) coatings.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ionescu|first=Mihail|chapter=10. Acrylic polyols|title=Aromatic Polyester Polyols: Chemistry and Technology|volume=1|publisher=De Gruyter|year=2019|pages=267–272 |isbn=978-3-11-064410-4|language=en|doi=10.1515/9783110644104-010|s2cid=241043906 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=New Acrylic Polyols for Low-VOC Coatings|url=https://www.pcimag.com/articles/84259-new-acrylic-polyols-for-low-voc-coatings|access-date=2022-02-13|date=2002-05-31|website=www.pcimag.com|language=en}}</ref> Other uses include direct to metal coatings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Acrylic polyol with enhanced performance for 2K PUR direct-to-metal coatings |url=https://insights.basf.com/home/article/read/acrylic-polyol-with-enhanced-performance-for-2k-pur-direct-to-metal-coatings|access-date=2022-02-13|publisher=BASF}}</ref> As they are used where good UV resistance is required, such as automotive coatings, the [isocyanate](/source/isocyanate) component also tends to be UV resistant and hence isocyanate oligomers or [prepolymer](/source/prepolymer)s based on [Isophorone diisocyanate](/source/Isophorone_diisocyanate) are generally used.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gite |first1=V.V. |last2=Mahulikar |first2=P.P. |last3=Hundiwale |first3=D.G. |title=Preparation and properties of polyurethane coatings based on acrylic polyols and trimer of isophorone diisocyanate |journal=Progress in Organic Coatings |date=August 2010 |volume=68 |issue=4 |pages=307–312 |doi=10.1016/j.porgcoat.2010.03.008 }}</ref>

Caprolactone-based polyols produce polyurethanes with enhanced hydrolysis resistance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Takaaki|first=Fujiwa|date=19 July 1990|title=A polycaprolactone polyol and hydrolysis resistant polyurethane resins prepared therefrom patent 0 409 735 A1|url=https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/8b/3e/79/e4bdbb854918b7/EP0409735A1.pdf|website=European Patent Office}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Huang |first1=Shan |last2=Xiao |first2=Juan |last3=Zhu |first3=Yan’an |last4=Qu |first4=Jinqing |title=Synthesis and properties of spray-applied high solid content two component polyurethane coatings based on polycaprolactone polyols |journal=Progress in Organic Coatings |date=May 2017 |volume=106 |pages=60–68 |doi=10.1016/j.porgcoat.2017.02.011 }}</ref>

Polycarbonate polyols are more expensive than other polyols and are thus used in more demanding applications.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pohl |first1=M. |last2=Danieli |first2=E. |last3=Leven |first3=M. |last4=Leitner |first4=W. |last5=Blümich |first5=B. |last6=Müller |first6=T. E. |title=Dynamics of Polyether Polyols and Polyether Carbonate Polyols |journal=Macromolecules |date=13 December 2016 |volume=49 |issue=23 |pages=8995–9003 |doi=10.1021/acs.macromol.6b01601 |bibcode=2016MaMol..49.8995P }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Polycarbonate Diols for Ultimate Performance Polyurethanes|url=https://www.gantrade.com/blog/ultimate-performance-polyurethanes-based-on-polycarbonate-diols|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.gantrade.com|language=en-us}}</ref> They have been used to make an [isophorone diisocyanate](/source/isophorone_diisocyanate) based prepolymer which is then used in glass coatings.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Wilson|first=Michael G.|date=November 1991|title=New coatings for glass|journal=Journal of the Oil and Colour Chemists Association|volume=11|pages=412–415|via=Springer}}</ref> They may be used in reactive hotmelt [adhesive](/source/adhesive)s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carbon Dioxide-Based Polycarbonate Polyols for Polyurethane Systems|url=https://www.adhesivesmag.com/articles/93368-carbon-dioxide-based-polycarbonate-polyols-for-polyurethane-systems|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.adhesivesmag.com|language=en|first=Anna |last=Cherian|date=2014-11-01}}</ref>

All polyols may be used to produce polyurethane [prepolymer](/source/prepolymer)s.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Harani|first1=H.|last2=Fellahi|first2=S.|last3=Bakar|first3=M.|date=1998|title=Toughening of epoxy resin using synthesized polyurethane prepolymer based on hydroxyl-terminated polyesters|journal=Journal of Applied Polymer Science|language=en|volume=70|issue=13|pages=2603–2618|doi=10.1002/(SICI)1097-4628(19981226)70:13<2603::AID-APP6>3.0.CO;2-4|issn=1097-4628|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shi |first1=Minxian |last2=Zheng |first2=Juanli |last3=Huang |first3=Zhixiong |last4=Qin |first4=Yan |title=Synthesis of Polyurethane Prepolymers and Damping Property of Polyurethane/Epoxy Composites |journal=Advanced Science Letters |date=March 2011 |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=740–744 |doi=10.1166/asl.2011.1597 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pokharel |first1=Pashupati |last2=Lee |first2=Dai Soo |title=High performance polyurethane nanocomposite films prepared from a masterbatch of graphene oxide in polyether polyol |journal=Chemical Engineering Journal |date=October 2014 |volume=253 |pages=356–365 |doi=10.1016/j.cej.2014.05.046 |bibcode=2014ChEnJ.253..356P }}</ref> These then find use in [coatings](/source/coatings),<ref name="howarth">{{cite journal|first=G.A.|last=Howarth |year=2000 |title=Legislation-compliant polyurethane and epoxy coatings |journal=Pigment & Resin Technology|volume=29 |issue=6|pages=325–336|doi=10.1108/03699420010355120}}</ref> [adhesives](/source/adhesives), [sealants](/source/sealants) and [elastomers](/source/elastomers).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Lei |last2=Shen |first2=Yiding |last3=Lai |first3=Xiaojuan |last4=Li |first4=Zhongjin |last5=Liu |first5=Min |title=Synthesis and properties of crosslinked waterborne polyurethane |journal=Journal of Polymer Research |date=May 2011 |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=469–476 |doi=10.1007/s10965-010-9438-9 }}</ref>

===Low molecular weight polyols===
[[File:Glyptal.svg|thumb|212px|Structure of an idealized [alkyd resin](/source/alkyd_resin) derived from the polyol [glycerol](/source/glycerol) (red, a low molecular weight polyol) and [phthalic anhydride](/source/phthalic_anhydride).]]
Low molecular weight polyols are widely used in [polymer chemistry](/source/polymer_chemistry) where they function as crosslinking agents and chain extenders. [Alkyd resin](/source/Alkyd_resin)s for example, use polyols in their synthesis and are used in [paint](/source/paint)s and in molds for [casting](/source/casting). They are the dominant [resin](/source/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 through ester formation. Polyols used in the production of commercial alkyd resins are [glycerol](/source/glycerol), [trimethylolpropane](/source/trimethylolpropane), and [pentaerythritol](/source/pentaerythritol).<ref name =ullmann>{{Ullmann | author = Frank N. Jones | title = Alkyd Resins | doi = 10.1002/14356007.a01_409}}</ref> In polyurethane prepolymer production, a low molecular weight polyol-[diol](/source/diol) such as [1,4-butanediol](/source/1%2C4-butanediol) may be used as a chain extender to further increase molecular weight though it does increase [viscosity](/source/viscosity) because more [hydrogen bonding](/source/hydrogen_bonding) is introduced.<ref name="howarth"/>

{| class="wikitable floatright skin-invert-image"
|- class="hintergrundfarbe6" 
|'''Low molecular weight polyols'''
|-
| 130px
[Pentaerythritol](/source/Pentaerythritol)
|-
| 180px
[Xylitol](/source/Xylitol)
|}

===Sugar alcohols===
[Sugar alcohol](/source/Sugar_alcohol)s, a class of low molecular weight polyols, are commonly obtained by [hydrogenation](/source/hydrogenation) of sugars.<ref name="malani">{{cite journal |last1=Malani |first1=Ritesh S. |last2=Malshe |first2=Vinod C. |last3=Thorat |first3=Bhaskar Narayan |title=Polyols and polyurethanes from renewable sources: past, present, and future—part 2: plant-derived materials |journal=Journal of Coatings Technology and Research |date=March 2022 |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=361–375 |doi=10.1007/s11998-021-00534-5 }}</ref>{{rp|363}} They have the formula (CHOH)<sub>n</sub>H<sub>2</sub>, where n = 4–6.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|vauthors=Schiweck H, Bär A, Vogel R, Schwarz E, Kunz M, Dusautois C, Clement A, Lefranc C, Lüssem B, Moser M, Peters S|display-authors=3|chapter=Sugar Alcohols|encyclopedia=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry|year=2012|publisher=Wiley-VCH|place=Weinheim|doi=10.1002/14356007.a25_413.pub3|isbn=978-3527306732}}</ref>

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

Sugar alcohols, such as [myoinositol](/source/inositol), [pinitol](/source/pinitol), and [mannitol](/source/mannitol), have roles in maintaining cellular water balance and responding to drought or low temperature stress.<ref name="Vovener de Verlands et al 2025">{{cite journal |last1=Vovener de Verlands |first1=Edmond |last2=Hong |first2=Zonglie |last3=Nelson |first3=Andrew S. |title=Sugar alcohols in plants: implications for enhancing tree seedlings drought tolerance and production strategies |journal=BMC Plant Biology |date=2025 |volume=28 |page=891 |doi=10.1186/s12870-025-06860-9|pmid=40634904|pmc= 12239448|doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Polymeric polyols===
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="width:300px; color:black; background-color:white;"
|- class="hintergrundfarbe6" 
|'''Polymeric polyols'''
|-
| 270px
[Polyether polyol](/source/Polyether_polyol). The oxygen atoms of the [ether](/source/ether) linkages are shown in blue.
|-
| 300px
[Polyester polyol](/source/Polyester_polyol). The oxygen and carbon atoms of the [ester group](/source/ester_group)s are shown in blue.
|}

The term ''polyol'' is used for various chemistries of the molecular backbone. Polyols may be reacted with [diisocyanate](/source/diisocyanate)s or polyisocyanates to produce [polyurethane](/source/polyurethane)s. [MDI](/source/Methylene_diphenyl_diisocyanate) finds considerable use in PU foam production.<ref>{{Citation|title=4,4′-Methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI) and polymeric MDI″ (PMDI) [MAK Value Documentation, 1997]|date=2012|work=The MAK-Collection for Occupational Health and Safety|pages=66–96|publisher=John Wiley & Sons, Ltd|language=en|doi=10.1002/3527600418.mb10168stae0008|isbn=978-3-527-60041-0|doi-access=free}}</ref> Polyurethanes are used to make flexible foam for [mattresses](/source/mattresses) and seating, rigid foam insulation for [refrigerator](/source/refrigerator)s and [freezers](/source/freezers), [elastomeric](/source/elastomeric) shoe soles, fibers (e.g. [Spandex](/source/Spandex)), coatings, sealants and [adhesives](/source/adhesives).<ref>{{cite web | last = Boustead | first = I. | work = Eco-Profiles of the European Plastics Industry | title = Polyurethane rigid foam | year = 2005 | publisher = PlasticsEurope | location = Brussels | url = http://www.isopa.org/isopa/uploads/Documents/documents/rigid%20foam%20LCI.pdf | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130925082609/http://www.isopa.org/isopa/uploads/Documents/documents/rigid%20foam%20LCI.pdf | archivedate = 2013-09-25 }}</ref>

The term ''polyol'' is also attributed to other molecules containing hydroxyl groups. For instance, [polyvinyl alcohol](/source/polyvinyl_alcohol) is (CH<sub>2</sub>CHOH)<sub>''n''</sub> with ''n'' hydroxyl groups where ''n'' can be in the thousands. [Cellulose](/source/Cellulose) is a polymer with many hydroxyl groups, but it is not referred to as a polyol.

===Polyols from recycled or renewable sources===
There are polyols based on renewable sources such as [plant-based](/source/Bioplastic) materials including [neem oil](/source/neem_oil), [castor oil](/source/castor_oil), and [cottonseed oil](/source/cottonseed_oil).<ref>Ashok B. Chaudhari, Pyus D. Tatiya, Rahul K. Hedaoo, Ravindra D. Kulkarni, Vikas V. Gite, Polyurethane Prepared from Neem Oil Polyesteramides for Self-Healing Anticorrosive Coatings, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2013, 52, 30, 10189–10197</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nelson |first1=Thomas J. |last2=Masaki |first2=Bryan |last3=Morseth |first3=Zachary |last4=Webster |first4=Dean C. |title=Highly functional biobased polyols and their use in melamine–formaldehyde coatings |journal=Journal of Coatings Technology and Research |date=November 2013 |volume=10 |issue=6 |pages=757–767 |doi=10.1007/s11998-013-9524-0 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Jia |first1=Lian Kun |last2=Gong |first2=Li Xiang |last3=Ji |first3=Wen Jiao |last4=Kan |first4=Cheng You |title=Synthesis of vegetable oil based polyol with cottonseed oil and sorbitol derived from natural source |journal=Chinese Chemical Letters |date=November 2011 |volume=22 |issue=11 |pages=1289–1292 |doi=10.1016/j.cclet.2011.05.043 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Narute |first1=Prashant |last2=Palanisamy |first2=Aruna |title=Study of the performance of polyurethane coatings derived from cottonseed oil polyol |journal=Journal of Coatings Technology and Research |date=January 2016 |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=171–179 |doi=10.1007/s11998-015-9741-9 }}</ref> Vegetable oils and biomass are also potential renewable polyol raw materials.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Malani |first1=Ritesh S. |last2=Malshe |first2=Vinod C. |last3=Thorat |first3=Bhaskar Narayan |title=Polyols and polyurethanes from renewable sources: past, present and future—part 1: vegetable oils and lignocellulosic biomass |journal=Journal of Coatings Technology and Research |date=January 2022 |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=201–222 |doi=10.1007/s11998-021-00490-0 }}</ref> Seed oil can even be used to produce polyester polyols.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Argyropoulos |first1=John |last2=Popa |first2=Paul |last3=Spilman |first3=Gary |last4=Bhattacharjee |first4=Debkumar |last5=Koonce |first5=William |title=Seed oil based polyester polyols for coatings |journal=Journal of Coatings Technology and Research |date=December 2009 |volume=6 |issue=4 |pages=501–508 |doi=10.1007/s11998-008-9154-0 }}</ref>

==Properties==
Since the generic term polyol is only derived from [chemical nomenclature](/source/chemical_nomenclature) and just indicates the presence of several hydroxyl groups, no common properties can be assigned to all polyols. However, polyols are usually viscous at room temperature due to hydrogen bonding.

==See also==
* [Cyclitol](/source/Cyclitol)
* [Oligomer](/source/Oligomer)
* [Polyurethane](/source/Polyurethane)
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Polyols}}

Category:Polyols
Category:Sugar substitutes
Category:Organic polymers
Category:Commodity chemicals
Category:Polymer chemistry
Category:Synthetic resins
Category:Polyurethanes

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Polyol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyol) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyol?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.