Trimethylolpropane (TMP) is the organic compound with the formula CH3CH2C(CH2OH)3.
This colourless to white solid with a faint odor is a triol.
Containing three hydroxy functional groups, TMP is a widely used building block in the polymer industry.
TMP is produced via a two step process, starting with the condensation of butyraldehyde with formaldehyde: The second step entails a Cannizaro reaction: Approximately 200,000,000 kg are produced annually in this way.
Allyl ether derivatives of TMP, with the formula CH3CH2C(CH2OCH2CH=CH2)3-x(CH2OH)x are precursors to high-gloss coatings and ion exchange resins.