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LUTENSOL AO 4

 

 

Lutensol AO 4 is formulated in surface cleaners, laundry products, and dishwashing formulations for improved performance.
Lutensol AO 4 is used in commercial laundry, vehicle care, hard surface cleaning, and other industrial applications.


CAS Numbers: Multiple related CAS numbers are used across AO products, including 157627-86-6, 64425-86-1, 68002-97-1 for Lutensol AO4
EC Number: Not specifically listed for AO 4 in available product listings (but similar Lutensol AO types like AO 3/5/7 are EC 613-595-2).
Chemical Class: Ethoxylated oxo alcohol non-ionic surfactant (alcohol ethoxylate)
General structural formula: R-O-(CH2-CH2-O)x-H
where R = C13–C15 oxo alcohol group
and x = degree of ethoxylation (≈4 for AO 4)

SYNONYMS:
Alcohol Ethoxylate C13–C15 + ~4 EO, Non-ionic Surfactant, Lutensol AO 4, Alcohols,C13-15,ethoxylated, Ethoxylated C13-15 alcohols, Ethoxylated alcohols,C13-15, Ethoxylated C13-15 alcs., Renex 706, Synperonic A, Synperonic A 7, Alk 3 (surfactant), Lutensol AO 7, Synperonic 7, Neonol 2V1315-12, Lutensol AO 8, Synperonic A 2, Synperonic A 4, Synperonic A 5, Synperonic A 6, Synperonic A 9, Synperonic A 14, Synperonic A 20, Synperonic A 3, Lutensol AO 10, Fatty alcs.,C13-15,ethoxylated, Ukanil 87, Lutensol AO 3, Synperonic A 10, Synperonic A 18, Synperonic A 50, Lutensol AO 12, Lutensol AO 30, Synperonic E 3, Neopol 25-12, Synperonic A 11, Imbentin C 135/110, Neonol 2V1315-9, Lutensol AE 21, Lutensol AO 5, Prevocell F 1315/7, Atpol 4743, Atpol 4868, Atpol 4867, Synperonic A 16, Synperonic 10/6, Lutensol AO 11, Neodol 135-7E, Synperonic A 47, Plurafac AO 8, Findet 1315A19.5, Alk 3, Tensopol AO 20, AO 3, Lutensol AO 2, Ethoxylated C13-15 alcohol, Lutensol A 07, Lutensol AO 6, Surfaline OX 1307L, 57971-83-2, 61585-17-9, 63091-05-4, 64083-80-3, 69913-51-5

Lutensol AO 4 is best described as a high-performance, low-ethoxylated non-ionic surfactant optimized for wetting, emulsification, and cleaning efficiency.
In storage and logistics, Lutensol AO 4 is typically supplied as a liquid and should be stored in tightly closed containers, protected from extreme temperatures.


At low temperatures, Lutensol AO 4 may become cloudy or more viscous due to partial phase separation, which is usually reversible upon gentle warming and mixing.
Lutensol AO 4 is chemically stable under normal storage conditions and does not readily undergo hazardous decomposition when handled as recommended.


Regarding occupational safety, Lutensol AO 4 is generally regarded as having low acute toxicity, but it may cause irritation to skin and eyes upon direct contact, particularly in its concentrated form.
Prolonged or repeated exposure can lead to defatting of the skin due to Lutensol AO 4's surfactant action.


Standard industrial hygiene measures, including the use of protective gloves, safety goggles, and appropriate work clothing, are recommended when handling Lutensol AO 4.
Adequate ventilation should be ensured during processing, especially when heating or spraying formulations containing the surfactant.


In terms of environmental and regulatory aspects, Lutensol AO 4 belongs to the class of alcohol ethoxylates, which are widely used in detergents and industrial formulations worldwide.
These substances are typically biodegradable under aerobic conditions, although biodegradation rates depend on the degree of ethoxylation and environmental conditions.


Like many surfactants, Lutensol AO 4 can be harmful to aquatic organisms at elevated concentrations, which is why responsible handling, controlled discharge, and compliance with local environmental regulations are essential.
Lutensol AO 4 is a member of the Lutensol AO series of non-ionic surfactants based on ethoxylated oxo alcohols.


Lutensol AO 4 is produced by the controlled ethoxylation of synthetic C13–C15 oxo alcohols, resulting in a molecule that combines a hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain with a hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) segment.


The “AO 4” designation refers to an average degree of ethoxylation of approximately four ethylene oxide units, which places the product in the lower-ethoxylated range of non-ionic surfactants.
This structural balance gives Lutensol AO 4 a relatively strong lipophilic character compared with higher-EO Lutensol grades.

USES and APPLICATIONS of LUTENSOL AO 4:
Detergents & Cleaners use of Lutensol AO 4: Enhancing cleaning efficiency, wetting, emulsifying and soil removal in laundry detergents, liquid cleaners, industrial cleaners.
Household and Institutional Products: Lutensol AO 4 is formulated in surface cleaners, laundry products, and dishwashing formulations for improved performance.


Industrial & I&I (Institutional) Cleaning: Lutensol AO 4 is used in commercial laundry, vehicle care, hard surface cleaning, and other industrial applications.
Cosmetics & Personal Care: Some Lutensol surfactants are applicable in formulations (e.g., hair care, body care) where non-ionic surfactants are required.


Formulation Aid: Lutensol AO 4 is used as emulsifiers, dispersants, solubilizers, and wetting agents in various formulated products.
From a compatibility perspective, Lutensol AO 4 is generally compatible with a wide range of formulation ingredients, including anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, builders, solvents, and alkaline components.
Lutensol AO 4 is commonly used alongside anionic surfactants to improve wetting and emulsification while moderating foam characteristics.


Depending on formulation design, it can either support moderate foam formation or help control foam when combined with defoaming components.
Lutensol AO 4 is best described as a high-performance, low-ethoxylated non-ionic surfactant optimized for wetting, emulsification, and cleaning efficiency.


Its balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties makes Lutensol AO 4 particularly suitable for industrial cleaners, institutional and professional formulations, and technical applications where rapid action, robustness against water hardness, and compatibility with diverse formulation systems are required.


From a formulation standpoint, Lutensol AO 4 is particularly valued for its excellent wetting and penetration ability.
The relatively short ethoxylate chain allows Lutensol AO 4 to rapidly reduce surface and interfacial tension, enabling liquids to spread efficiently over hydrophobic surfaces.


This makes Lutensol AO 4 highly effective in applications where fast wetting of solids, fibers, or contaminated surfaces is required.
In industrial and institutional cleaning formulations, Lutensol AO 4 contributes to quick soil loosening and improved removal of greasy or oily contaminants.


Lutensol AO 4 also exhibits strong emulsifying performance, especially for non-polar oils, mineral oils, and waxy soils.
When combined with other non-ionic or anionic surfactants, Lutensol AO 4 often acts as a co-emulsifier that stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions and enhances formulation robustness.


Due to its non-ionic nature, Lutensol AO 4 performs well across a wide pH range and is less sensitive to water hardness than ionic surfactants, maintaining effectiveness in the presence of calcium and magnesium ions.
In comparison to higher-ethoxylated Lutensol AO grades, Lutensol AO 4 shows lower cloud points and a more pronounced hydrophobic behavior.


This property can be advantageous in formulations designed for low-temperature or cold-water cleaning, as well as in systems where rapid phase separation after use is desirable, such as certain industrial degreasing processes.
Lutensol AO 4's behavior in aqueous systems is strongly temperature-dependent, which formulators often exploit to optimize cleaning efficiency or rinsing characteristics.

LUTENSOL AO 
The Lutensol AO grades are oxo alcohol ethoxylates that are based on predominately linear alcohols.
Depending on their degree of ethoxylation, some of the products in the range can be used as the principal surfactants in laundry detergents in powder form.
They give good results at all temperatures, and they perform especially well on cotton fabrics and blends of cotton and synthetic fibers.
We would particularly recommend the Lutensol AO grades with a medium degree of ethoxylation, such as Lutensol AO 7, for use in liquid detergents and cleaners.

CHEMICAL NATURE & STRUCTURE of LUTENSOL AO 4:
Lutensol AO products are alcohol ethoxylates, which are non-ionic surfactants (no formal charge in solution).
They are formed by ethoxylating a predominantly C13–C15 oxo alcohol with ethylene oxide units; the numeric designation (e.g., “4” in AO 4) refers to the approximate number of ethylene oxide units per molecule.

General structural formula: R-O-(CH2-CH2-O)x-H
where R = C13–C15 oxo alcohol group
and x = degree of ethoxylation (≈4 for AO 4)

PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of LUTENSOL AO 4:
Product Name: Lutensol AO 4 (non-ionic surfactant)
CAS Numbers: Multiple related CAS numbers are used across AO products, including 157627-86-6, 64425-86-1, 68002-97-1 for Lutensol AO4 as per the BASF product listing.
(Commercial nonionic surfactant products often are sold as mixtures with overlap in CAS designations.)
EC Number: Not specifically listed for AO 4 in available product listings (but similar Lutensol AO types like AO 3/5/7 are EC 613-595-2).
Chemical Class: Ethoxylated oxo alcohol non-ionic surfactant (alcohol ethoxylate)
Product Name: Alcohols, C13-15, ethoxylated
CAS No.: 64425-86-1
InChIKeys: ZNLWDIZBTNNEHH-UKRRQHHQSA-N

Molecular Weight: 261.40238
Exact Mass: 261.209
EC Number: 613-595-2
DSSTox ID: DTXSID7052812
Categories: Bulk Drug Intermediates
Appearance: Colourless to slightly cloudy liquid (typical for this class at room temp).
Odor: Product-specific, typically mild. (Not specifically reported for AO 4 but common for alcohol ethoxylates.)

Solubility: Soluble in water and many organic solvents; forms micelles in aqueous systems.
pH: Generally ~7 in solution (neutral).
Density: Approximately ~0.9–1.0 g/cm³ (varies with degree of ethoxylation).
Viscosity: Moderate liquid viscosity typical of ethoxylates; temperature-dependent.
Cloud Point: Dependent on specific product and water hardness; typical for ethoxylates in non-ionic range.
Surface Activity: Lowers surface tension of water effectively; provides wetting/emulsifying functionality.

FIRST AID MEASURES of LUTENSOL AO 4:
-Description of first-aid measures
*General advice:
Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
*If inhaled:
After inhalation: 
Fresh air.
*In case of skin contact: 
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. 
Rinse skin with
water/ shower.
*In case of eye contact:
After eye contact: 
Rinse out with plenty of water. 
Call in ophthalmologist. 
Remove contact lenses.
*If swallowed:
After swallowing: 
Immediately make victim drink water (two glasses at most). 
Consult a physician.
-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed.
No data available

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of LUTENSOL AO 4:
-Environmental precautions:
Do not let product enter drains.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Cover drains. 
Collect, bind, and pump off spills. 
Observe possible material restrictions. 
Take up dry. 
Dispose of properly. 
Clean up affected area.

FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of LUTENSOL AO 4:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 
Foam 
Dry powder
*Unsuitable extinguishing media:
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.
-Further information:
Prevent fire extinguishing water from contaminating surface water or the ground water system.

EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of LUTENSOL AO 4:
-Control parameters:
--Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:
*Eye/face protection:
Use equipment for eye protection. 
Safety glasses
*Body Protection:
protective clothing
*Respiratory protection:
Recommended Filter type: Filter A 
-Control of environmental exposure:
Do not let product enter drains.

HANDLING and STORAGE of LUTENSOL AO 4:
 -Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Tightly closed. 
Dry.

STABILITY and REACTIVITY of LUTENSOL AO 4:
-Chemical stability:
The product is chemically stable under standard ambient conditions (room temperature).
-Possibility of hazardous reactions:
No data available

 
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