Quick Search
Ceteareth is a generic name for a family of ethoxylated fatty alcohols, commonly used as non-ionic surfactants, emulsifiers, and solubilizers in cosmetics and personal care products.
The number following "Ceteareth" (e.g., Ceteareth-20, Ceteareth-25) indicates the average number of ethylene oxide (EO) units added to the fatty alcohol chain.
CAS No: 68439-49-6
Synonyms:
Ethoxylated Cetearyl Alcohol,Polyoxyethylene Cetyl/Stearyl Ether,Ceteareth-n (where n = 2, 10, 20, etc.),Ceteareth-n Alcohol,PEG-n Cetearyl Ether,Polyethylene glycol ether of cetearyl alcohol
Introduction
Definition and Overview:
Ceteareth refers to a series of nonionic surfactants and emulsifiers that are commonly derived from the reaction between cetyl or stearyl alcohol and ethylene oxide.
They belong to a class of compounds known as ethoxylates, which contain ethylene oxide (EO) units.
The name "Ceteareth" is typically followed by a number (Ceteareth-2, Ceteareth-10, etc.), indicating the average number of ethylene oxide units in the molecule.
Classification and Naming:
The classification of Ceteareth is based on its ethylene oxide content. For instance, Ceteareth-2 has two ethylene oxide units, whereas Ceteareth-100 has 100 units.
This variation in the ethylene oxide chain length influences the properties, including solubility and emulsifying power.
Historical Development:
The development of Ceteareth compounds began as part of the efforts to create better emulsifiers for personal care and pharmaceutical formulations.
The addition of ethylene oxide to fatty alcohols enhanced their solubility in water, making them more effective in emulsifying and stabilizing formulations.
Chemical Composition
Molecular Structure and Synthesis:
Ceteareth is synthesized by adding ethylene oxide (EO) to cetyl or stearyl alcohol.
The resulting product contains a long hydrophobic (fatty alcohol) tail and a hydrophilic (ethylene oxide) head.
The molecular structure consists of a fatty alcohol backbone with a varying number of EO units attached, typically ranging from 2 to 100 ethylene oxide groups.
Ethoxylation Process:
Ethoxylation is a key chemical reaction used to produce Ceteareth.
It involves the reaction of fatty alcohols (such as cetyl or stearyl alcohol) with ethylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst.
This process results in a mixture of molecules with different lengths of EO chains, which defines the different types of Ceteareth.
Variants Based on Ethylene Oxide Units:
The number of ethylene oxide units determines the specific type of Ceteareth. For example, Ceteareth-2 would have two EO units, and Ceteareth-20 would have twenty EO units.
The molecular weight and solubility characteristics vary accordingly.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance:
Ceteareth compounds are typically white, waxy solids or pastes at room temperature. Some may also appear as clear or slightly cloudy liquids, depending on the specific ethoxylation level.
Solubility:
Ceteareth compounds are generally soluble in water (depending on the number of ethylene oxide units) and can dissolve in oils and solvents due to the fatty alcohol component.
Their solubility improves with the increase in the number of ethylene oxide units.
pH:
Ceteareth compounds tend to be neutral or slightly acidic in solution, making them suitable for use in a wide range of pH-sensitive formulations.
Melting Point:
The melting point varies depending on the number of ethylene oxide units.
Ceteareth compounds with fewer EO units (e.g., Ceteareth-2) tend to have higher melting points compared to those with more EO units (e.g., Ceteareth-100).
Compatibility:
Ceteareth is compatible with most cosmetic ingredients, including oils, proteins, and other emulsifiers.
However, its stability can be influenced by pH, temperature, and the presence of certain salts.
Production and Manufacturing Process
Raw Materials (Cetyl/Stearyl Alcohols, Ethylene Oxide):
The primary raw materials for producing Ceteareth are cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and ethylene oxide.
These are sourced from natural or synthetic origins.
Cetyl alcohol is derived from palm kernel oil or coconut oil, while ethylene oxide is produced from ethylene, a petrochemical feedstock.
Industrial Synthesis Methods:
The synthesis of Ceteareth involves the reaction of fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure.
This process is carried out in a reactor vessel, where the ethylene oxide is gradually added to the fatty alcohol in the presence of a catalyst.
Quality Control and Specifications:
The production process includes quality control checks to ensure the consistency of ethoxylation (the number of EO units), solubility, and overall stability of the final product.
Analytical techniques such as gas chromatography and infrared spectroscopy are used to characterize the chemical composition.
Applications
Cosmetics and Personal Care Products:
Ceteareth is widely used in cosmetics for its emulsifying and solubilizing properties.
It is commonly found in lotions, creams, shampoos, and conditioners.
Its ability to form stable emulsions helps in delivering active ingredients in a smooth and uniform manner.
Pharmaceutical and Dermatological Uses:
Ceteareth is used in pharmaceutical formulations as an emulsifier in creams, ointments, and topical formulations.
Its mildness makes it suitable for sensitive skin applications and drug delivery systems.
Industrial and Emulsifying Applications:
In industrial settings, Ceteareth is used as a stabilizer in emulsions, lubricants, and cleaning agents.
It helps reduce surface tension, making it valuable in formulations requiring high emulsification efficiency.
Functionality in Formulations
Emulsifying and Solubilizing Roles:
Ceteareth functions as an emulsifier by stabilizing mixtures of oil and water.
It reduces the interfacial tension between immiscible liquids, allowing for the creation of stable emulsions, such as oil-in-water or water-in-oil types.
It also acts as a solubilizer for active ingredients that are difficult to dissolve in water.
Stabilizing and Thickening Mechanisms:
In formulations, Ceteareth contributes to the stability of emulsions by preventing phase separation and improving viscosity.
The long hydrophobic tail interacts with the oil phase, while the hydrophilic head interacts with the water phase.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT CETEARETH
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
