PM is a kind of solvent having the lowest boiling point and the fastest evaporating rate among the P-series solvents. It has both hydrophobic covalent ether bond and hydrophilic hydroxy group in its molecular structure. So it has high solubility to both oily and aqueous resins. Its hydroxy group still has reactivity to enable it to act as chemical intermediate.

In paint, PM has the features to reduce the film forming temperature, promote the resins to form films and ensure the paint film quality. PM is a good coupling agent in solvent blends. It can replace alcohols solvent in dissolving dyes. During the production of inks, PM appears in some formulas to modify the hydrophilicity of inks to decrease inks' toxicity, improve operation environment and upgrade printing quality. It applies to flexographic and silk screen printing inks to control the evaporating speed and adjust the viscosity of the systems.

PM has superb viscosity reduction ability. It manifests the ability particularly in epoxy and high solids acrylic systems. In new type brake fluids of motor vehicle, PM is used as viscosity modifier. Because the mixture of PM and water can reduce the freezing point, PM is also used in antifreezing solution for radiator.

Because PM has low toxicity, it is among few organic solvents that can be used in adhesive of cigarette carton and packet packaging papers.

PM can also apply to household and industrial cleaner, rust remover, extraction agent and beneficiation of nonferrous metals. PM and propylene glycol n-butyl ether are important compositions of glass cleaning agent.

PM can be used as the solvent for agricultural pesticides, deactivator and emollient for livestock pesticides.

Synonyms: 1-Methoxy-2-propanol

English abbreviation: PM

Cas registry no.: 107-98-2

Structural formula: CH3CH(OH)CH2OCH3

Molecular formula: C4H10O2