Polyethylene glycol cetyl ether (polyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether) is a nonionic surfactant produced by the ethoxylation of cetyl alcohol to give a material with the general formula HO(C2H4O)nC16H33. Several grades of this material are available depending on the level of ethoxylation performed, with repeat units (n) of polyethylene glycol varying between 2 and 20. Commercially it can be known as Cetomacrogol 1000, Brij 58 (when n=20), Brij 56 (when n=10), and other trade names.
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Names | |
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IUPAC name
α-Hexadecyl-ω-hydroxypoly(oxyethylene)
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Other names
Polyoxyethylene cetyl ether
Brij 58 Brij 56 Brij 52 | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.105.524 |
EC Number |
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PubChem CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
HO(C2H4O)nC16H33 | |
Hazards | |
GHS labelling: | |
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Warning | |
H302, H315 | |
P264, P270, P280, P301+P312, P302+P352, P321, P330, P332+P313, P362, P501 | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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It is used as a solubilizer and emulsifying agent in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, often as an ointment base.[1] It is used as an oil in water (O/W) emulsifier for creams/lotions, and a wetting agent.
See also
edit- Isoceteth-20 - a similar material made using iso-cetyl alcohol
References
edit- ^ "Polyethylene glycol 1000 cetyl ether cream". NCI Drug Dictionary. National Cancer Institute.