A polyol is an organic compound containing multiple hydroxyl groups. The term "polyol" can have slightly different meanings
depending on whether it is being used in the field of food science or that of polymer chemistry. Polyols containing two, three and
four hydroxyl groups are a diol, triol, tetrol and so on.
Low molecular weight polyols are widely used in polymer chemistry, where they function as crosslinking agents. Alkyd resins for
example are used in paints and in molds for casting. They are the dominant 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 with
through ester formation. Polyols used in the production of commercial alkyd resins are glycerol, trimethylolpropane, and
pentaerythritl.
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