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Nomenclature, identifiers and synonyms
Trade name: AKYPO® RO 90 VG (sometimes listed without the ® as AKYPO RO 90 VG).
Common chemical name / INCI: Oleth-10 carboxylic acid (often shown as OLETH-10 CARBOXYLIC ACID).
CAS Registry Number: 57635-48-0.
Other synonyms / systematic names (found in supplier and chemical data sources):
Glycolic acid ethoxylate oleyl ether (average Mn ~~700).
Carboxymethyl polyethylene glycol oleyl ether.
Oleth carboxylic acid; Oleth-3 carboxylic acid; Oleth-6 carboxylic acid; Oleth-10 carboxylic acid (product family variants).
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-(carboxymethyl)-ω-[(9Z)-9-octadecen-1-yloxy]-.
(These synonyms reflect the polymeric / average nature of the product: the R group is an oleyl (C18:1) alkyl chain and n denotes the average ethoxy repeat ~9–10 for the RO-90 product.)
Molecular identity and structure
AKYPO® RO 90 VG is an ethoxylated oleyl alcohol derivative where one terminal hydroxyl of an ethoxylate chain is converted to a carboxymethyl (glycolic) moiety (i.e., a carboxylic acid end group) resulting in an anionic ether-carboxylate surfactant when neutralised.
The general structural motif can be written (average formula):
R-O-(CH₂CH₂O)ₙ-CH₂-COOH
where R ≈ oleyl (C18:1, cis-9) and n ≈ 9–10 (hence “RO 90” indicating ~9 EO units and ~90% active matter).
On neutralisation (e.g., with amines or alkali), the product behaves as the corresponding carboxylate surfactant (anionic).
Manufacture and raw materials (industrial production)
Oleyl alcohol / oleyl chain source: derived from natural or synthetic C18 unsaturated fatty alcohols (obtained from hydrogenation of oleic acid derivatives or from natural fats/oleochemicals).
Ethylene oxide (EO): used to ethoxylate the fatty alcohol to the target ethoxylation degree (n ≈ 9–10).
Carboxymethylation reagent: glycolic acid derivatives or chloracetic acid (or equivalent) used to introduce the carboxymethyl terminal group, or controlled oxidation/carboxylation steps following ethoxylation.
Neutralisation/finishing reagents: alkali or amines to produce salts if product sold as neutralised form; solvent/water balance to give final active matter.
Typical process outline
Ethoxylation: Oleyl alcohol is ethoxylated with controlled equivalents of ethylene oxide to deliver the target average EO number (approx. 9–10).
Reaction control (temperature, catalyst) yields a distribution of ethoxylates around the mean n.
Terminal modification: The terminal hydroxyl of the ethoxylate is reacted with a carboxymethylating reagent (e.g., chloroacetic acid derivatives) or converted via esterification/hydrolysis to create the glycolic (carboxymethyl) acid end group.
Neutralisation and formulation: Typically adjusted to target active matter (≈89–91%), water content trimmed (KF) and optionally neutralised partly to improve handling.
Final materials are filtered and quality-checked (color, active matter, water content).
Manufacturers publish technical documents (TDS) with specs for active matter, color (Gardner), and water content; AKYPO RO 90 VG typical specs show active matter ≥ 89.1% and water ≈ 6–10% (KF).
Physicochemical properties and analytical data
Typical supplied form: viscous liquid / paste.
Typical specifications (manufacturer TDS):
Active matter: ≈ 89.1% (typical minimum 89%).
Water: typically 6–10% (Karl Fischer).
Colour (Gardner): ≤ G-6 (manufacturer spec).
pH (at product concentration / neutralised form): depends on neutralisation; the free acid form has acidic pH in aqueous solution, while neutralised salts will be near neutral to slightly alkaline in use.
Surface activity / HLB behavior
Being an ethoxylated long-chain ether carboxylic acid, AKYPO RO 90 VG shows good emulsifying and dispersing power for oily soils and lime soaps in hard water; it behaves as an anionic co-emulsifier and lime soap dispersant, with moderate detergency and rinsability.
HLB is dependent on degree of ethoxylation and neutralisation; typical formulations find it acts as a co-emulsifier with both anionic and nonionic components.
Solubility: soluble/solubilised in water when neutralised (carboxylate form) and miscible with many polar solvents; in free-acid form it may form micelles/emulsions and require neutralisation for full water solubility.
Hard water performance: engineered to disperse and prevent formation of lime soaps; excellent hard-water stability is a distinguishing functional property.
Analytical methods and quality control
Analytical characterization of AKYPO RO 90 VG and related ethoxylated carboxylic surfactants is typically performed by:
GC (after derivatisation) for residual alcohols or low-boiling impurities.
GPC / SEC for polymeric molecular weight distribution (average Mn approx. 400–700 in some listings) when appropriate.
NMR (¹H, ¹³C) for structural confirmation (oleyl chain signals and ethoxy repeat unit signals).
FTIR: characteristic ether (C–O–C) and carboxylic/carboxylate bands.
Karl Fischer titration for water content.
Titration / acid value for carboxylic acid content (acid number) — useful to quantify active acid groups and to calculate neutralisation equivalents for formulations.
Color (Gardner) and viscosity as QC parameters.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT KYPO RO 90 VG
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
