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Ethoxylated Methyl Glucoside is a class of chemical compounds derived from methyl glucoside (a sugar alcohol) and ethylene oxide.
These compounds are often used as surfactants, emulsifiers, or solubilizers in various industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food processing.
CAS Number: 62796-62-5
Synonyms:
Methyl Glucoside Ethoxylate,Ethoxylated Methyl Glucoside,Methylglucoside Polyethylene Glycol Ether,PEG-6 Methyl Glucoside
Introduction
Definition and Overview:
Ethoxylated methyl glucoside is a surfactant derived from renewable plant-based sources, such as glucose.
It is created by adding ethylene oxide (EO) to methyl glucoside, resulting in a mixture of compounds that possess properties useful in various applications, such as cleaning, emulsification, and solubilization.
It is a non-ionic surfactant, meaning it does not carry a charge, which makes it gentle on the skin and non-irritating, which is why it is widely used in cosmetics and personal care products.
History and Development:
The chemical development of ethoxylated methyl glucoside arose from the desire to develop eco-friendly and effective surfactants that can replace more harsh, petrochemical-derived ingredients.
It aligns with the increasing trend towards renewable and biodegradable ingredients in the personal care and cleaning industries.
Initially developed as a way to improve the environmental footprint of surfactants, it has evolved into a widely accepted ingredient in the personal care, industrial, and agricultural sectors.
Chemical Properties
Chemical Formula and Molecular Structure:
Ethoxylated methyl glucoside is generally represented as C₆H₁₂O₅(CH₂CH₂O)n, where "n" represents the number of ethoxy groups attached.
The "n" value can vary, which influences the properties of the ethoxylate, such as its hydrophilicity and effectiveness as a surfactant.
The structure consists of a glucose molecule with an ethoxylated group (–OCH₂CH₂–) attached to one of its hydroxyl groups, making it a polyether.
The structure's flexibility contributes to its surfactant properties.
Physical and Chemical Properties:
Appearance: Typically a colorless to pale yellow liquid or solid depending on the ethoxylation level.
Molecular weight: Varies based on the number of ethoxylation units.
Solubility: It is water-soluble and has good solubility in alcohols and other polar solvents.
Boiling and Melting Points: Depending on ethoxylation, the melting point is often between 50–100°C.
Viscosity: It has a relatively low viscosity, which makes it easy to formulate into products such as creams, lotions, and cleaning products.
Solubility and pH:
Ethoxylated methyl glucoside’s solubility in water makes it an excellent choice for use in aqueous formulations.
Its pH usually falls within the neutral to slightly alkaline range, making it suitable for a variety of applications, particularly in skin care and cosmetics where mild pH is required.
Reactivity and Stability:
It is chemically stable under normal conditions, though it may hydrolyze under extreme acidic or basic conditions.
Stability is also influenced by the length of the ethoxylate chain, with longer chains typically being more stable.
Spectroscopic Characteristics:
Spectroscopic analysis, such as FT-IR and NMR, can be used to confirm the structure and the degree of ethoxylation. Peaks indicative of ethoxylate groups and glucose moieties can be observed in the spectra.
Production Methods
Raw Materials Used in Synthesis:
The starting materials are glucose or methyl glucose (methylated glucose derivative) and ethylene oxide.
Glucose provides a renewable, plant-based source for the synthesis.
Different Methods of Ethoxylation:
Base-Catalyzed Ethoxylation: A common method that involves using a strong base to initiate the ethoxylation reaction of glucose with ethylene oxide.
Acid-Catalyzed Ethoxylation: Another method where acidic conditions promote the addition of ethylene oxide, though this may result in more side reactions.
Tandem Methods: Involves multiple steps where glucose is first partially methylated and then ethoxylated to achieve a desired structure.
Industrial-Scale Production:
Large-scale production is typically conducted in high-pressure reactors to facilitate the ethoxylation of glucose in the presence of ethylene oxide.
Reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, and ethylene oxide concentration are optimized to control the ethoxylation level and molecular weight distribution.
Challenges in Production and Optimization:
One of the challenges is controlling the ethoxylation process to obtain consistent product quality.
Longer ethoxylate chains can lead to higher viscosity, which can impact formulation.
Additionally, controlling by-products and ensuring the complete reaction of ethylene oxide are critical for scalability and product purity.
Applications
Cosmetic and Personal Care Industry:
Ethoxylated methyl glucoside is widely used in skin care products such as moisturizers, cleansers, and shampoos because of its mildness and ability to stabilize emulsions.
It acts as a surfactant, emulsifier, and solubilizer, improving the texture and spreadability of formulations.
It is also used in formulations for sensitive skin due to its gentle nature and non-irritating properties.
Detergents and Cleaning Products:
In household and industrial cleaning products, ethoxylated methyl glucoside helps to break down oils and grease while being biodegradable and less harmful to the environment compared to traditional surfactants.
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological Uses:
Due to its solubilizing ability, ethoxylated methyl glucoside is used in drug delivery systems, where it helps in solubilizing hydrophobic drugs, increasing their bioavailability.
It is also used in pharmaceutical formulations where mild surfactant properties are required, such as in ointments or oral formulations.
Agricultural and Other Industrial Uses:
Ethoxylated methyl glucoside can be used as an adjuvant in agrochemical formulations, improving the spreadability and absorption of pesticides and herbicides.
It can also be used as a dispersant or wetting agent in industrial applications, such as in paints and coatings.
Benefits and Drawbacks
Advantages:
Biodegradability: One of the primary benefits is its high biodegradability, making it more environmentally friendly than many petrochemical-based surfactants.
Non-toxicity: Ethoxylated methyl glucoside is considered to be non-toxic and non-irritating, making it ideal for sensitive skin applications and environmentally-conscious formulations.
Mildness: Its mildness makes it particularly attractive for use in personal care products, such as baby shampoos, facial cleansers, and moisturizers.
Drawbacks:
Cost: The production process can be more expensive than traditional synthetic surfactants, particularly when considering the raw materials and the need for controlled manufacturing conditions.
Ethoxylation Variability: The degree of ethoxylation can vary, which affects the product's performance in different formulations.
This variability can make it harder to standardize products consistently.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT ETHOXYLATED METHYL GLUCOSIDE
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
