Glycol, << GLY kohl or GLY kol, >> is a type of organic compound. Glycols are also called diols. They make up a class of alcohols. The simplest glycol is ethylene glycol, a poisonous liquid that is thick and colorless. Ethylene glycol has a high boiling point (197.6 °C) and is very soluble in water. It is used in hydraulic brake fluids and as a permanent antifreeze in automobiles. Manufacturers use ethylene glycol as a humectant (moistening agent), as a solvent in paint and plastic products, and as a chemical intermediate in the production of alkyd resins, synthetic fibers, and plasticizers.
Polymers–that is, molecular chains–of ethylene glycol range from transparent, viscous (thick) liquids to waxlike solids. They are used as lubricants, solvents, and chemical intermediates. The nonpoisonous propylene glycol is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and even foods.
