Nonyl phenol 40 is a nonionic surfactant belonging to the group of ethoxylated nonylphenols.
Nonyl phenol 40 is a white to light strawcoloured wax which solidies at a temperature of about 35°C.
Nonyl phenol 40 is a component of washing and cleaning agents and laundry detergents.
CAS Number: 104405
Molecular Formula: C15H24O
Molecular Weight: 220.35
EINECS Number: 2031994
Synonyms: 4nonylphenol, 104405, 4nNonylphenol, pNonylphenol, paraNonylphenol, Phenol, 4nonyl, pnNonylphenol, Phenol, pnonyl, para Nonyl phenol, 4NonylPhenol, 4nNonyl phenol, CCRIS 1251, nonylphenol, DTXSID5033836, HSDB 5359, pnonylphenol, EINECS 2031994, CHEBI:34440, I03GBV4WEL, PNONYLPHENOL (ENDOCRINE DISRUPTER), DTXCID001857, paranonylphenol, pnNonylphenol, pNonylphenol, Phenol, pnonyl, Phenol, 4nonyl, PNONYLPHENOL [HSDB], 2031994, 4nonylphenol [hsdb], 4nonyl phenol, p n Nonylphenol, MFCD00002396, 4NP, 4tertnonylphenol, CAS104405, UNIII03GBV4WEL, BRN 2047450, pnonyl phenol, Paranonyl phenol, 4Nonylphenol, tech., Spectrum_001973, SpecPlus_000624, Spectrum2_001832, Spectrum3_000872, Spectrum4_000712, Spectrum5_002066, 4nNonylphenol, 85%, 4nNonylphenol, 98%, BIDD:PXR0002, SCHEMBL15887, BSPBio_002543, KBioGR_001263, KBioSS_002539, SPECTRUM330085, 3060002067 (Beilstein Handbook Reference), BIDD:ER0006, DivK1c_006720, SPBio_001903, CHEMBL153062, KBio1_001664, KBio2_002530, KBio2_005098, KBio2_007666, KBio3_002043, 4Nonylphenol, analytical standard, Tox21_201241, Tox21_303647, BDBM50410532, CCG39613, LMPK15010001, MSK001668, STL453644, AKOS015888197, NCGC0009091801, NCGC0009091802, NCGC0009091803, NCGC0009091805, NCGC0009091806, NCGC0009091807, NCGC0009091808, NCGC0025742001, NCGC0025879301, PD002549, NS00010283, 4nNonylphenol 10 microg/mL in Acetonitrile, 4nNonylphenol 10 microg/mL in Cyclohexane, 4nNonylphenol 100 microg/mL in Cyclohexane, G83718, 4Nonylphenol, PESTANAL(R), analytical standard, SR05000002459, Q4545806, SR050000024591, 4Nonylphenol, certified reference material, TraceCERT(R), 4nonylpheno;Phenol, 4nonyl;Phenol, pnonyl;pnonylpheno;4NNONYLPHENOL;4NNONYLPHENOLD4;4NONYLPHENOL;PNNONYLPHENOL
Nonyl phenol 40 typically refers to a nonylphenol ethoxylate with approximately 40 ethylene oxide (EO) units in its structure.
This means that it is a type of nonionic surfactant created by reacting nonylphenol with ethylene oxide in a ratio that results in a polymer chain of about 40 EO units.
In more detail, Nonyl phenol 40 (often abbreviated as NPEs) are made by adding varying amounts of ethylene oxide to nonylphenol, and the number (such as 4, 9, 10, or 40) indicates the average number of ethylene oxide molecules attached per nonylphenol molecule.
Therefore, Nonyl phenol 40 contains long ethoxylate chains, making it more water-soluble and hydrophilic than lower EO versions.
Nonyl phenol 40 is highly watersoluble emulsier & stabilizer Wetting.
Nonyl phenol 40 is soluble in chlorinated solvents and polar solvents.
Chemically stable in the presence of dilute acids, bases and salts
Compatible with soaps, anionic and other nonionic surfactants, and many organic solvents Nonyl phenol 40 are nonionic surfactants which are such as all kinds of other nonionic surfactants mixtures varying in the number of repeating ethoxy groups.
A member of the class of phenols that is phenol which is parasubstituted with a nonyl group.
Nonyl phenol 40 has good water solubility.
Nonyl phenol 40 has a cloud point in the temperature range of 7276°C in a solution of NaCl 100 g/L.
Nonyl phenol 40 is commonly used in industrial cleaning agents, textile processing, emulsifiers, and wetting agents, where a high degree of solubility and surface activity is needed.
Due to its long EO chain, Nonyl phenol 40 is particularly effective in formulating detergents, dispersants, and emulsifiers that require high cloud points and stability in water-based systems.
Nonyl phenol 40 and its ethoxylates are under regulatory scrutiny in many regions due to their toxicity to aquatic life and potential to act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
As a result, alternatives are increasingly used in environmentally sensitive applications.
Nonyl Phenol 40 is a high-molecular-weight, nonionic surfactant that belongs to the family of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), specifically characterized by an average of 40 ethylene oxide (EO) units chemically bonded to a nonylphenol core.
This extended ethoxylation gives the compound superior solubility in water and makes it highly hydrophilic, enabling it to act as an efficient dispersing, solubilizing, emulsifying, and wetting agent in a wide variety of aqueous and polar systems.
Because of its long polyoxyethylene chain, Nonyl Phenol 40 exhibits high cloud points and thermal stability, which makes it especially useful in applications that require surfactants to remain stable under elevated temperatures and high electrolyte concentrations, such as in textile scouring and dyeing processes, emulsion polymerization, and agrochemical formulations.
Nonyl phenol 40 is also employed in cleaning products for industrial and institutional use, where its low foaming, good detergent action, and compatibility with other chemicals are particularly advantageous.
Melting point: 4344 °C
Boiling point: 293297 °C
Density: 0.937 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)
Vapor pressure: 0.109 Pa at 25 °C
Refractive index: n₂₀/D 1.511 (lit.)
Flash point: >230 °F
Storage temp.: APPROX 20 °C
Solubility: Sparingly Soluble (0.020 g/L) at 25 °C
pKa: 10.15 ± 0.15 (Predicted)
Color: Clear colorless
Specific Gravity: ~1.057
Odor: Phenol-like
pH Range: 6–8
Water Solubility: 6.35 mg/L (25 °C)
BRN: 2047450
Dielectric constant: 5.2
Stability: Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
LogP: 5.76
Nonyl Phenol 40 has recently been shown to have estrogenic properties, triggering mitotic activity in rat endometrium and cell proliferation in estrogensensitive tumor cells.
Potential toxicity to humans who may be exposed to nonylphenol through leaching of plastics has not been determined.
In cosmetic and personal care formulations, although less common due to environmental concerns, Nonyl Phenol 40 may be used in non-rinse applications to aid the blending of oil- and water-based ingredients.
In oilfield operations, it is sometimes included in drilling fluids and demulsifiers due to its effectiveness in stabilizing emulsions and reducing interfacial tension between oil and water phases.
However, despite its functional performance, Nonyl Phenol 40 is part of a group of chemicals that are increasingly regulated or restricted in many countries, including the European Union, Canada, and several U.S. states.
This is due to concerns about the environmental persistence and bioaccumulation potential of its degradation products, particularly nonylphenol itself, which has been shown to have endocrine-disrupting properties, affecting aquatic organisms even at low concentrations.
As a result, industries are gradually phasing out nonylphenol ethoxylates, especially the high EO variants like Nonyl Phenol 40, and replacing them with more environmentally benign alternatives, such as alcohol ethoxylates, sugar-based surfactants (alkyl polyglucosides), or sorbitan esters, depending on the application requirements.
Nonyl phenol 40 can be used in a mixture with other nonionic auxiliaries and anionic and cationic agents.
Nonyl phenol 40 is characterized by good resistance to oxidizing and reducing factors, as well as stability in acids and alkalis.
Nonyl phenol is a family of closely related organic compounds called alkylphenols.
Alkylphenols are used in the production of antioxidants, lubricating oil additives, laundry and dishwashing detergents, emulsiers and solubilizers.
These compounds are also present in nonionic surfactants such as alkylphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenol ethoxylates used in detergents, paints, pesticides, personal care products and plastics.
Nonyl phenol 40 has attracted attention for Nonyl phenol 40's potential role as an endocrine disruptor and xenoestrogen due to its prevalence in the environment and its ability to act with estrogenlike activity.
Nonyl phenol 40 is a commercially available detergent.
Nonyl phenol 40 is an ethoxylated nonylphenol for nonionic surfactants and can act as emulsier and demulsier agent.
Nonyl phenol 40 fall into the general chemical category of alkylphenols.
The structure of Nonyl phenols can vary.
The nonyl group can be attached to the phenol ring at various positions, usually the 4 and to a lesser extent 2positions, and may be branched or linear.
A branched nonylphenol, 4nonylphenol, is the most widely produced and marketed nonylphenol.
The mixture of nonylphenol isomers is a pale yellow liquid, but pure compounds are colorless.
Nonylphenols are moderately soluble in water but soluble in alcohol.
Nonylphenol originates from the environmental degradation of nonylphenol ethoxylates, which are metabolites in commercial detergents called alkylphenol ethoxylates.
Uses Of Nonyl Phenol 40:
Principal use as an intermediate in the production of nonionic ethoxylated surfactants; as an intermediate in the manufacture of phosphite antioxidants used for the plastics and rubber industries
Nonyl Phenol 40 is used in the process for the manufacture of 5nonyl salicylaldoxime, which is used for the selective purification and concentration of copper ions.
Nonyl Phenol 40 is used in manufacturing antioxidants, lubricating oil additives, laundry and dish detergents, emulsiers, and solubilizers.
Nonyl phenol 40 is used in the process for the manufacture of 5nonyl salicylaldoxime, which is used for the selective purication and concentration of copper ions.
Nonionic surfactant for use in paper and textile processing, paints & coatings, and agrochemicals; featuring versatile solubility characteristics, high water solubility, suitability for use at higher temperatures.
Nonyl phenol 40 is a nonionic emulsier in the emulsion polymerization process.
Nonyl phenol 40 is compatible with a wide range of polymers and can be used in the production of acrylic, styreneacrylic, homo and vinyl acetate copolymers.
Typical application of Nonyl phenol 40 is 0.53% by weight of the total dispersion.
Nonyl phenol 40 is also used as an emulsier for the production of bituminous masses and for the emulsication of asphalts.
Nonyl phenol 40 is also an emulsifying additive in the production of polyester resins.
Nonyl phenol 40 is used in the manufacture of oil additives, surfactants, fungicide preparations and plastics and rubber.
Nonyl phenol 40 has applications in paper and textile processing, in paints and coatings, and in agrochemical manufacturing.
Nonyl phenol 40 is a high active nonionic surfactant nding application in a variety of agricultural applications, detergents, sanitizers, industrial cleaners, metal cleaners, textiles, and paper deinking.
Nonyl phenol 40 is nonionic and provides excellent detergency, outstanding wetting, versatile solubility characteristics and low odor.
Nonyl phenol 40 is used in paper & textile processing, paints & coatings and agrochemicals.
Nonyl phenol 40 is used by various industries, such as Oil & Gas, Crop Solutions and Home Care and I&I, and act as wetting agents, solubilizers, detergents, dispersants, emulsiers, and degreasers.
Nonyl phenol 40 is a nonionic surfactant used in the isolation of membrane complexes.
Nonyl phenol 40 is used as heat stabilizers for polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Nonyl phenol 40 has been widely used as an intermediate in the production of nonionic surfactants of the nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) type.
Nonyl phenol 40 are used as oilsoluble detergents and emulsiers, lubricants, oil additives, and antioxidants for rubber manufacture.
Nonyl phenol 40 is an alkylphenol which is widely used as nonionic surfactants, nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO) and octylphenol ethoxylate being the main representatives of this group.
Nonyl phenol 40 can be used in emulsifying applications.
Nonyl phenol 40 is a nonionic surfactant which belongs to the group of ethoxylated nonylphenols.
Nonyl phenol 40 is used as a detergent, washing and cleaning agent and as an emulsier.
Nonyl Phenol 40 is widely used as a nonionic emulsifier in the formulation of emulsion polymers, where it helps to stabilize mixtures of oil and water during polymerization processes.
Its long ethylene oxide chain provides excellent steric stabilization, which prevents the coalescence of dispersed polymer particles in the latex, making it ideal for the production of water-based paints, coatings, and adhesives.
In the textile industry, Nonyl Phenol 40 serves as a powerful scouring and wetting agent, helping to remove oils, waxes, and sizing agents from fabrics before dyeing or finishing.
Its high hydrophilicity ensures deep penetration into fibers, which improves dye uptake and uniformity, especially in high-temperature or high-electrolyte dye baths.
Due to its excellent solubilizing and low-foaming properties, Nonyl Phenol 40 is incorporated into heavy-duty industrial cleaners, metal degreasers, and hard surface cleaners, where it breaks down greasy and oily contaminants.
Nonyl Phenol 40 is particularly effective in alkaline formulations and in systems requiring high-temperature or high-pressure cleaning, such as those used in food processing equipment or large-scale manufacturing.
Nonyl Phenol 40 is often added to pesticide and herbicide formulations as an adjuvant to improve the spreading, penetration, and adhesion of active ingredients on plant surfaces.
Its ability to reduce surface tension allows the active chemical to cover leaf surfaces more evenly and to penetrate plant cuticles more effectively, thus enhancing the overall efficacy of crop protection products.
In the petroleum industry, Nonyl Phenol 40 is used in the formulation of demulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, and drilling fluids.
Its emulsifying and dispersing capabilities help to separate water from crude oil, prevent sludge buildup, and reduce friction and wear in drilling operations, even under extreme temperature and pressure conditions.
Nonyl Phenol 40 is used in pigment dispersion systems to prevent the agglomeration of pigment particles and maintain consistent color and viscosity in paints, inks, and coatings.
Its long EO chain structure enhances compatibility with both waterborne and solvent-based systems, making it suitable for a wide range of formulations.
Safety Profile Of Nonyl Phenol 40:
One of the most serious hazards associated with Nonyl Phenol 40 is that, upon degradation, it can release nonylphenol, a known endocrine-disrupting compound (EDC).
This substance can mimic estrogen in biological systems, interfering with the hormonal balance of aquatic organisms, leading to feminization of male fish, reduced fertility, and altered reproductive behaviors in wildlife even at very low concentrations.
Nonyl Phenol 40 and its degradation products exhibit high toxicity to aquatic life, particularly fish, algae, and invertebrates.
Nonylphenol is persistent and bioaccumulative, meaning it does not easily break down in the environment and can accumulate in the fatty tissues of organisms, potentially moving up the food chain.
This has raised significant concerns among environmental regulators worldwide, resulting in its classification as a priority hazardous substance in the European Union.
Prolonged or repeated contact with Nonyl Phenol 40 in its concentrated form can cause moderate to severe irritation to the skin and eyes.
Although diluted forms used in industrial products may pose a lower risk, direct handling without proper protective equipment can lead to symptoms such as redness, dryness, or burning sensations.
Occupational exposure should be controlled using personal protective measures.