Pharma & Specialty Chemical Standards

1,2-Dinitroglycerin, IUPAC name 1,2-dinitrooxypropane, is a nitrate ester with molecular formula C3H5N2O9 and molecular weight 227.09 g/mol. It features a propane-1,2-diol backbone with two nitrate ester groups. As a vasodilator, it is used in pharmaceutical contexts for its smooth muscle relaxant properties. Physicochemically, it exhibits high water solubility, low melting point (13°C), and instability under heat or shock. Its mechanism involves the release of nitric oxide (NO), which activates guanylate cyclase, elevating cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels and inducing vasodilation via smooth muscle relaxation. Structural instability necessitates careful handling due to explosive potential.