INTRODUCTION
1,3-Dihyrdoxyacetone is a hygroscopic, white powder with a minty odor. It is abundantly found in nature as derivative of starch and is an intermediate product of fructose metabolism. Acronymed as DHA, it is at large used in the cosmetic industry.
The sunless tanning industry has experienced rapid growth due to public education on the dangers of ultraviolet radiation on skin and improvements in products. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a 3-carbon sugar allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a color additive in sunless tanning products.
Manufacture
DHA is manufactured by bacterial fermentation of glycerine and alternatively from formaldehyde using formose reaction.
| Synonyms | Chromelin Glycerone 1,3-Dihydroxypropan-2-one |
| CAS no. | 96-26-4 |
| EINECS no. | 202-494-5 |
| Molecular formula | C3H6O3 |
| Molecular weight | 90.08 |
| Structure | ![]() |
| Applications in Medicine |
|---|
| The ketone has a history of medical application. It was used in 1950’s as an oral drug to treat children with glycon storage disorder. |
| Applications in Cosmetics |
|---|
| As skin conditioning agent |
| As reducing agent |
| As tanning agent |
| Applications in Intermediates |
|---|
| DHA is a KRM for manufacture of intermediates including but not limited to: |
| a) Hydroxypyruvic acid b) 1-(4-methylbenzyl)-1H-5-hydroxymethyl-imidazole c) 4-Imidazolemethanol HCl d) Glyceric acid e) DL-Glyceraldehyde f) Mannose g) DL-Arabinose |
| Other Applications |
|---|
| Chromelin is also used as color additive |
| DHA is also reported to be used in winemaking |
SPECIFICATIONS
| Test | Unit | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | – | White or off-white powder |
| pH | – | 4.0 – 6.0 |
| Moisture | % | Max 0.40 |
| ROI | % | Max 0.40 |
| Heavy metals | ppm | Max 10.0 |
| Iron as Fe | ppm | Max 25.0 |
| Arsenic | ppm | Max 3.0 |
| Assay | % | Min 98.0 |
STORAGE
The product is stored at ambient temperature.
PACKING
25 kg drum.
REACH Status
Under registration.
ExSyn offers DHA on commercial scales and welcomes enquiries. No matter the quantity you need, our exceptional quality and service will make ExSyn your supplier of choice! If you need any additional information or SDS, please contact us.
Teprenone (Geranylgeranylacetone, GGA) is a mixture of the all-trans and mono-cis isomers of 6,10,14,18-tetramethyl-5,9,13,17-nonadecatetraen-2-one (in a weight ratio of 3:2). It is an acyclic isoprenoid compound with a structure like retinoids and is widely used for the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers.
Ciclopirox Olamine (CPO) is the N-oxide of a 2 -hydroxy pyridine derivative that carries antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is composed of 6-cyclohexyl-1-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(1H)-pyridone combined with 2 aminoethanol (olamine) in a 1:1 ratio.
N,N-Dimethylglycine sodium salt (DMG Na) is the sodium salt form of N,N-dimethylglycine, a tertiary amino acid derivative is white to off white crystalline solid, freely soluble in water.
Blown Castor Oil (15-17 Poise) is a modified grade of Castor oil. The “15-17 Poise” specification refers to its viscosity range, indicating a medium-viscosity blown oil suitable for industrial applications requiring improved body, tackiness, and elasticity compared to regular castor oil.
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) is a is a tertiary amine that is ethanolamine having two N-methyl substituents. It is clear & colourless to pale yellow liquid with ammoniacal odor. DMAE is stable at room temperature and is completely miscible with water as well as organic solvents such as alcohols and ethers. It decomposes at high temperatures. It is a versatile chemical intermediate primarily used as a curing agent for polyurethane foams and epoxy resins.
1,4,7-Trimethyl-1,4,7-triazonane (Me₃TACN) is a valuable macrocyclic tridentate ligand derived from 1,4,7-triazacyclononane. In Me₃TACN, each nitrogen atom is substituted with a methyl group, which significantly modifies its steric and electronic properties. Me₃TACN is widely used as a ligand in coordination chemistry due to its ability to form stable complexes with transition metals such as Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, and Zn.
Adenosine is a naturally occurring purine nucleoside composed of adenine and ribose, present in all living cells. It plays a vital role in biochemical processes such as energy transfer (ATP/ADP), signal transduction, and regulation of physiological functions, and is widely used in pharmaceutical applications.
Methyl-2-Methoxy-5-Sulfamoyl Benzoate (MSMB) is a sulfur containing organic building block acting as a chemical intermediate. MSMB contains ester and sulfamoyl functional groups, which make it useful as a pharmaceutical and fine-chemical intermediate.
Imidazolidinyl urea is a widely used antimicrobial preservative in the cosmetic and personal care industry. It is a formaldehyde-releasing compound that effectively inhibits the growth of bacteria, yeast, and molds, thereby extending the shelf life of formulations. Due to its broad-spectrum efficacy and cost-effectiveness, it is commonly used in rinse-off and leave-on products within regulated concentration limits.
