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Systematic Nomenclature and Commercial Synonyms:
IUPAC Name: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-hydro-ω-hydroxy-
Common Names: Polyethylene glycol, PEG, Macrogol, Polyoxyethylene
INCI Name: PEG followed by number indicating average molecular weight
CAS Registry Number: 25322-68-3 (covers all PEGs)
EC Number: 500-038-3
UNII: 3WJQ0SDW1A (for PEG 400)
Molecular Architecture:
General Formula: HO(CH₂CH₂O)ₙH
Molecular Weight Range: 200 to >35,000 Da
Classification by MW:
PEG 200-600: Liquid at room temperature
PEG 1000-2000: Semi-solid (waxy)
PEG 3000-35,000: Solid (flakes or powder)
Extended Physical Characterization:
Polyethylene glycols are polymers of ethylene oxide with terminal hydroxyl groups. Physical properties vary dramatically with molecular weight:
General Properties:
Density: 1.11-1.14 g/cm³ (liquids), 1.15-1.21 g/cm³ (solids)
Refractive Index (liquids): n²⁰/D = 1.459-1.465
Flash Point: 170-250°C (increases with MW)
Solubility:
Water: Miscible for MW <1000, soluble for higher MW
Alcohols: Soluble in lower alcohols
Chlorinated solvents: Soluble in chloroform, dichloromethane
Insoluble in ether, hydrocarbons
Chemical Behavior and Functional Properties:
Chemical Reactivity:
Hydroxyl group reactions: Esterification, etherification, urethane formation
Oxidation resistance: Resistant to oxidation under normal conditions
Thermal stability: Stable to 150°C, decomposition >200°C
Hydrolytic stability: Stable at neutral pH, hydrolyzes under acidic/basic conditions
Pharmaceutical Properties:
Solubilizer: Enhances solubility of poorly soluble drugs
Plasticizer: In film coatings and matrices
Laxative: Osmotic activity (PEG 3350 and higher)
Protein precipitant: In biotechnology purification
Polymer Conformation:
In water: Extended random coil
In organic solvents: More compact conformation
Cloud point: Increases with MW, typically >100°C
Industrial Applications:
Pharmaceutical Applications:
Solid dispersions: Carrier for poorly soluble drugs (hot melt extrusion, spray drying)
Laxatives: PEG 3350, 4000 (osmotic laxative)
Liquid formulations: Solvent and co-solvent (PEG 300, 400)
Ointment bases: Water-soluble ointment bases
Tablet binders and coatings: Binder in wet granulation, film former
Biotechnology:
Protein PEGylation: Covalent attachment for increased half-life
Cell culture: Cryoprotectant (PEG 1000-8000)
Two-phase systems: With dextran for protein partitioning
Industrial Applications:
Lubricants: Non-ionic lubricants
Plasticizers: For cellulose derivatives, PVA
Metal working fluids: Component in synthetic coolants
Analytical Characterization:
Molecular Weight Determination:
End-group analysis: Titration of hydroxyl groups
Size Exclusion Chromatography: With multi-angle light scattering detection
MALDI-TOF MS: For exact molecular weight distribution
Quality Control Tests:
Hydroxyl value: 224-561 mg KOH/g (depending on MW)
Acid value: ≤0.5 mg KOH/g
Moisture content: ≤1.0% (Karl Fischer)
Residual ethylene oxide: ≤1 ppm
Residual 1,4-dioxane: ≤10 ppm
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT POLY(ETHYLENE GLYCOL)
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
