HEXYLENE GLYCOL (MPD) is an organic compound with the formula (CH₃)₂C(OH)CH₂CH(OH)CH₃. This colorless liquid is a chiral diol. It is produced industrially from diacetone alcohol by hydrogenation. Total European and USA production was 15000 tones in 2000.HEXYLENE GLYCOL pentanediol exists as two enantiomers, (4R)-(-) and (4S)-(+). In the Protein Data Bank, the 3-letter code “MPD” refers to the (S)-(-) enantiomer, while “MRD” is used to refer to the (R)-(+) version. Commercial products labeled “MPD” are usually the racemate, also sold as and referred to as “hexylene glycol”.

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