Definition and Uses :
Glycerin, more formally known as glycerol, is an organic compound. Common sources are animal fat and vegetable oil. Glycerin is a clear, odorless liquid at room temperature with a sweet taste. It is widely used in soaps and is a common ingredient in many pharmaceutical fields.
The molecular formula for glycerin is C3H5 (OH) 3. It consists of a chain of three carbon atoms, each carbon atom bonded to a hydrogen atom (H +) and a hydroxyl group (OH-). Each of the two terminal carbon atoms has an additional hydrogen atom, so that the three carbon atoms form a total of four bonds. Carbon has a valency of four, meaning it tends to form four bonds.