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CAS Number: 9004-96-0 (general for PEG oleates)
EC Number: 500-038-2
Molecular Formula: C₁₇H₃₃COO(CH₂CH₂O)ₙH where n≈9
Average Molecular Weight: ~650 g/mol
Synonyms:
Polyoxyethylene (9) monooleate,PEG-9 oleate (INCI name),Oleic acid PEG ester,Ethoxylated oleic acid (9 EO),POE (9) monooleate
Physical and Chemical Properties:
PEG 400 monooleate typically appears as a clear to pale yellow oily liquid with a mild characteristic odor. It exhibits amphiphilic properties with an HLB (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance) value of approximately 11-12, making it suitable for oil-in-water emulsification. Key physical parameters include density of 1.0-1.1 g/cm³ at 20°C, viscosity of 100-200 mPa·s at 25°C, melting point below -10°C, and flash point >200°C. The ester bond provides reasonable stability at neutral pH but undergoes hydrolysis under strongly acidic or basic conditions.
catalyst: p-Toluenesulfonic acid (0.1-0.3%) or tin compounds
Temperature: 180-220°C
Pressure: Reduced (50-100 mmHg) to remove water
Time: 4-8 hours to >95% conversion
Alternative Methods:
Transesterification: Methyl oleate with PEG 400
Enzymatic Synthesis: Using immobilized lipases at 60-80°C
Direct Ethoxylation: Oleic acid with ethylene oxide (less controlled)
Quality Specifications:
Acid Value: <5.0 mg KOH/g
Saponification Value: 80-100 mg KOH/g
Hydroxyl Value: 80-120 mg KOH/g
Iodine Value: 25-35 (reflects oleic acid unsaturation)
Water Content: <0.5%
Color (Gardner): <5
Peroxide Value: <5.0 meq/kg
Global production capacity is estimated at 20,000-30,000 metric tons annually, with major producers including Croda, BASF, KLK Oleo, and various regional manufacturers. Pricing ranges from $2-4/kg for technical grades to $6-10/kg for cosmetic and pharmaceutical grades.
Surface Activity and Functional Properties
Surfactant Properties:
Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC): 0.05-0.2 mM
Surface Tension Reduction: From 72 to 30-35 mN/m at CMC
Interfacial Tension (oil/water): Reduction to 5-10 mN/m
Foaming Characteristics: Moderate foam with good stability
Wetting Ability: Excellent on low-energy surfaces
Emulsification Performance:
PEG 400 monooleate excels as an oil-in-water emulsifier due to:
Optimal HLB: 11-12 matches requirements for many cosmetic and pharmaceutical oils
Steric Stabilization: Polyethylene glycol chain provides hydration barrier
Low Irritation: Non-ionic character minimizes skin and eye irritation
Temperature Stability: Effective across wide temperature range
Compatibility Characteristics:
Electrolyte Tolerance: Good stability in presence of salts
pH Stability: Effective across pH 4-9
Hard Water Stability: Excellent (non-ionic character)
Compatibility: With most anionic, cationic, and non-ionic surfactants
Comprehensive Application Spectrum
Personal Care and Cosmetics (60% of consumption):
Emulsifier: In creams, lotions, and milks (1-5%).
Solubilizer: For fragrances and essential oils (2-8%).
Conditioning Agent: In hair care products (0.5-3%).
Cleansing Formulations: As secondary surfactant in syndet bars and liquid cleansers (2-10%).
Case Example: In water-in-oil sunscreen emulsions, PEG 400 monooleate (3-4%) provides stable emulsification of high levels of organic UV filters while maintaining elegant skin feel and water resistance.
Pharmaceutical Formulations (20%):
Topical Emulsions: Ointments and creams (2-6%).
Oral Emulsions: For poorly water-soluble drugs (1-4%).
Suppository Bases: As emulsifier and penetration enhancer.
Transdermal Delivery: Enhances skin permeation of actives.
Case Example: In topical corticosteroid creams, PEG 400 monooleate (2-3%) improves drug release and skin penetration while maintaining emulsion stability over shelf life.
Industrial Applications (15%):
Metalworking Fluids: As emulsifier and lubricity additive (3-8%).
Textile Processing: As emulsifier for spin finishes and dye carriers.
Agriculture: As emulsifier in pesticide formulations (2-6%).
Paints and Coatings: As dispersing agent for pigments.
Case Example: In soluble metalworking oils, PEG 400 monooleate (5-7%) provides stable emulsification of mineral oils with excellent corrosion protection and lubricity.
Food Industry (5%):
Emulsifier: In certain food applications where permitted.
Release Agent: For baking pans and food processing equipment.
Defoamer: In food processing operations.
Formulation Considerations:
Phase Addition: Typically added to oil phase at 60-70°C
HLB Matching: Often used in combination with other emulsifiers for optimal HLB
Preservation: Non-ionic character may require specific preservative systems
Viscosity Control: Can be combined with thickeners for desired rheology
Synergistic Combinations:
With Cetyl Alcohol: For enhanced emulsion stability and viscosity
With Glyceryl Stearate: For pearlescent effects and additional stabilization
With Other Non-ionics: For optimized HLB systems
With Cationics: For conditioning effects in hair care
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT PEG 400 MONOOLEATE
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
