POLYOXYETHYLENE ALKYL ETHERS

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers are versatile nonionic surfactants offering effective wetting, emulsification and cleaning.
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers maintain reliable performance across broad pH ranges and in hard water.
Detergents, personal-care products, textiles, coatings and industrial formulations widely use Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers.

General Structure: CH₃(CH₂)ₓ(OCH₂CH₂)ᵧOH
Alkyl chain: C₁₂ (lauryl), C₁₄ (myristyl), C₁₆ (cetyl), C₁₈ (stearyl/oleyl)
EO units (y): typically 10–60 (average values; products are polymer mixtures)
CAS (key members): 9002-92-0 (PEG monolauryl ether), 9004-95-9 (PEG monocetyl ether), 9004-98-2 (PEG monooleyl ether), 9005-00-9 (PEG monostearyl ether)

Synonyms: Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, POAE, Ethoxylated fatty alcohol, Polyethylene glycol alkyl ether, Fatty alcohol ethoxylate, FAE, Brij (ICI/Croda), Cremophor A (BASF), Emulgen (Kao), Volpo (Croda), Marlowet, Plurafac, Ritoleth, Ritox, Texofor A, Ethosperse, Ethylan, Procol, Renex, Cyclogol 1000, Empilan KB, Empilan KM, Macrogol ether, Laureth-N (INCI, C₁₂, N = EO units), Myreth-N (INCI, C₁₄), Ceteth-N (INCI, C₁₆), Steareth-N (INCI, C₁₈), Lauromacrogol (JP), Macrogol cetostearyl ether (PhEur/BP), Polyoxyl lauryl ether (USP-NF), Polyoxyethylene lauryl alcohol ether, PEG monolauryl ether, PEG monocetyl ether, PEG monooleyl ether, PEG monostearyl ether

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers contain a hydrophobic alkyl chain connected to a hydrophilic polyoxyethylene segment.
The general structure of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers can be represented as R–(OCH₂CH₂)ₙ–OH.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers belong to the family of nonionic surfactants.
The absence of an electrical charge helps Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers remain compatible with many formulation ingredients.

Commercial Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers may appear as liquids, pastes, flakes or waxy solids.
Alkyl-chain length and ethoxylation degree determine the physical form of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers reduce surface tension and promote the rapid wetting of solid surfaces.
The balanced molecular structure allows Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers to interact with both water and oil.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers can stabilize oil-in-water emulsions.
Formulators select Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers according to the required hydrophilic-lipophilic balance.

Increasing the number of ethylene oxide units generally improves the water compatibility of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers.
A lower ethoxylation level gives Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers a more oil-compatible character.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers generally perform effectively in hard-water systems.
Calcium and magnesium ions affect Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers less severely than many anionic surfactants.

Household cleaners use Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers to improve wetting and soil removal.
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers can remove oily deposits from fabrics and hard surfaces.

Laundry detergents may contain Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers as primary or secondary cleaning agents.
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers complement anionic surfactants and improve detergency in mixed systems.

Dishwashing and surface-cleaning products use Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers to control cleaning and foam performance.
Low-foaming grades of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers suit automated cleaning applications.

Personal-care formulations may use suitable Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers as emulsifiers or solubilizers.
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers can help distribute oils and functional ingredients throughout cosmetic products.

Textile-processing baths use Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers as wetting, scouring and emulsifying agents.
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers promote uniform penetration of treatment solutions into textile fibers.

Metalworking fluids can incorporate Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions.
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers support wetting, cleaning and lubricant dispersion in machining systems.

Agrochemical formulations employ Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers as wetting agents, dispersants and emulsifiers.
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers can improve the spreading of agricultural formulations across plant surfaces.

Paints and coatings may contain Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers to support pigment wetting and emulsion stability.
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers can improve the uniform distribution of formulation components.

Emulsion polymerization systems use Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers to control particle formation and dispersion stability.
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers help maintain uniform polymer particles in selected aqueous systems.

Pulp and paper processes use Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers for washing, deinking and surface treatment.
Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers can assist the removal and dispersion of oily contaminants from paper fibers.

Manufacturers produce Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers by reacting fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide.
Reaction conditions determine the chain distribution and ethoxylation level of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers.

The cloud point represents an important performance characteristic of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers.
Temperature changes can influence the solubility and emulsifying behavior of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers.

Hydroxyl value, cloud point, active content and water content represent important quality parameters for Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers.
Analytical testing confirms the composition and performance consistency of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers.

Uses of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are used as the primary emulsifying agents in topical pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations for both water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions — including creams, lotions, ointments, and microemulsions; their performance as emulsifiers can be finely tuned by selecting the appropriate combination of alkyl chain length and EO chain length (HLB value), and their synergistic blending behaviour makes them particularly effective in difficult-to-formulate systems such as clear gel microemulsions, alkali-based hair relaxers and straighteners, and multiple emulsions (O/W/O, W/O/W); cetomacrogol 1000 (ceteth-20) and macrogol cetostearyl ether are among the most widely used emulsifying waxes in pharmaceutical ointment formulations worldwide.
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are used as solubilising agents for essential oils, perfumery chemicals, vitamin oils (retinol, tocopherol, ergocalciferol, phylloquinone), and drugs of low water solubility — cortisone acetate, griseofulvin, menadione, chlordiazepoxide, and cholesterol — enabling their incorporation into clear aqueous formulations and stable colloidal dispersions at concentrations far above their intrinsic aqueous solubility; the mechanism involves micellar solubilisation at concentrations above the critical micelle concentration (CMC), and the extent of solubilisation is highly dependent on the EO chain length and alkyl chain structure.
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are used as detergents and cleansing agents in shampoos, face washes, liquid cleansers, and industrial cleaning formulations; as wetting agents and dispersing agents for coarse-particle liquid dispersions, pigment dispersions, and agrochemical formulations; and as antidusting agents applied to powder surfaces to reduce dust generation in handling and packaging operations; their nonionic character provides compatibility with both anionic and cationic co-surfactants and tolerance for high electrolyte concentrations.
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers function as gelling agents in pharmaceutical and cosmetic clear gel formulations: at concentrations of 15–30%, high-EO-chain grades such as Brij 97 (polyoxyethylene-10 oleyl ether), Volpo N series, and Cremophor A25 (cetostearyl alcohol ethoxylate with approximately 25 EO units) form clear, stable hydrogels used as bases for topical drugs, hair gels, lubricating gels, and ophthalmic gels; Brij 72 (steareth-2, low EO) provides a quick-breaking foam character useful in aerosol formulations.
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers — particularly laureth-23 (polyoxyethylene-23 lauryl ether) — are used as hydrophilic coating agents and solubilisers for polymeric nanoparticles (PLGA, polystyrene, poly(ε-caprolactone)) in drug delivery systems, where the PEG chain on the nanoparticle surface provides stealth (PEGylation), reduced opsonisation, extended circulation time, and improved bioavailability; laureth-23 is also used in topical formulations for its ability to enhance drug penetration through the skin barrier.
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are used in suppository formulations (polyethylene glycol suppository bases) as release modifiers to increase the rate of drug release from fatty suppository bases — the hydrophilic EO chains improve the aqueous wettability of the suppository surface and facilitate drug dissolution and absorption; they are also used in pessary and ovule formulations for vaginal drug delivery.
Polidocanol (laureth-9, macrogol dodecyl ether, polyoxyethylene 9 lauryl ether) is a specific member of the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether family used as an injectable sclerosing agent for the treatment of varicose veins and haemorrhoids, as a local anaesthetic co-solvent, and as a solubiliser and dispersant in injectable pharmaceutical formulations; it is listed in the PhEur and is produced as a pharmaceutical-grade material with strict purity and endotoxin specifications.
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are used in industrial and institutional cleaning formulations as nonionic detergents and dispersing aids; in textile processing as wetting agents and levelling agents; in agrochemicals as emulsifiers for herbicide and pesticide formulations (oil-in-water emulsifiable concentrates); in paper manufacturing; in petroleum processing; and in various industrial emulsion polymerisation processes as stabilisers.

Benefits and Advantages of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:
The ether linkage in polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers — in contrast to the ester linkage in polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters (polysorbates, PEG esters) — confers exceptional hydrolytic stability under both strongly acidic and strongly alkaline conditions; this stability makes POAE the preferred surfactant choice for formulations requiring extreme pH tolerance, such as antiperspirants, hair relaxers and straighteners, cold wave systems, depilatories, and astringent preparations, where competing ester-type surfactants would undergo hydrolysis and lose activity.
The synergistic behaviour of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether blends — where combinations of different alkyl chain lengths (e.g. cetyl and stearyl) and different EO chain lengths produce significantly superior emulsification efficiency, stability, and sensory performance than single-component systems — is particularly exploited in pharmaceutical emulsifying wax (cetomacrogol emulsifying wax, consisting of cetomacrogol 1000 and cetostearyl alcohol) and in cosmetic clear gel microemulsion formulations; this synergism enables formulation of otherwise difficult-to-emulsify systems.
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are mild, non-ionic, and compatible with skin and mucous membranes at typical use concentrations (0.1–5% in topical formulations); they are pharmacopoeially approved, widely toxicologically characterised, and used in regulated pharmaceutical formulations worldwide, providing formulators with a high degree of confidence in the safety and regulatory acceptability of these excipients compared with synthetic or less well-characterised surfactant classes.
The wide range of HLB values accessible by varying alkyl chain length and EO chain length (from HLB ~3 for steareth-2 to HLB ~18 for laureth-23) gives polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers unmatched versatility as emulsifiers: a single compound class can be used for W/O emulsification (low HLB, short EO chain), O/W emulsification (intermediate HLB), micellar solubilisation (high HLB, long EO chain), and stealth nanoparticle coating — covering essentially the full range of surfactant applications from a single chemical family.

Features of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers vary considerably in physical appearance with EO chain length and alkyl chain identity: short-EO-chain grades (y = 2–5) are typically waxy solids or pastes at room temperature; intermediate grades (y = 10–23) are soft pastes to wax-like solids; long-EO-chain grades (y > 30) are white to cream waxy solids with higher melting points; all grades are colourless, white, cream-coloured, or pale yellow with a slight characteristic odour; all grades are dispersible or soluble in water, with solubility increasing with EO chain length; HLB values range from approximately 3 (steareth-2) to 18 (laureth-23).
Key physicochemical properties: CMC (critical micelle concentration) in the µmol/L range (decreasing with increasing alkyl chain length, increasing with EO chain length); cloud point in aqueous solution (typically 50–90°C depending on EO chain length and concentration — important for formulation stability); HLB (hydrophile-lipophile balance) range approximately 3–18; melting point range 30–55°C (solid grades); pour point/liquefying temperature varies by grade; essentially odourless to mildly characteristic fatty-alcohol odour; compatible with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants; tolerate high electrolyte concentrations; stable to repeated freeze-thaw cycles (grade-dependent).
Products are mixtures of ethylene oxide oligomers with slightly varying molecular weights; the nominal EO number (N in laureth-N) is the average value; this polydispersity is inherent to all ethoxylate products; narrow-homologue-distribution products can be produced using antimony pentahalide catalysts (British Pat. 796,508; US Pat. 3,359,331); cetomacrogol 1000 has x = 15 or 17 and y = 20–24 on average.
The absence of ester linkages in the molecular structure provides: (a) stability against acid and alkaline hydrolysis (unlike polysorbates and PEG fatty acid esters); (b) high tolerance for electrolytes (NaCl, MgSO₄, CaCl₂) enabling use in high-salt systems such as saline-based pharmaceuticals, antiperspirant formulations, and seawater-based cleaners; (c) stability in harsh oxidative, acidic, and alkaline processing environments that would degrade ester-based surfactants; (d) absence of free fatty acid by-product generation during storage or use.

Chemical Properties of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:
General structural formula: CH₃(CH₂)ₓ(OCH₂CH₂)ᵧOH; CAS numbers for principal members: PEG monolauryl ether 9002-92-0, PEG monocetyl ether 9004-95-9, PEG monooleyl ether 9004-98-2, PEG monostearyl ether 9005-00-9; products are non-crystalline polymer mixtures characterised by an average EO number y and average molecular weight; typical molecular weights range from ~300 Da (steareth-2, y ≈ 2) to ~2,000+ Da (steareth-100, y ≈ 100); the polymer chain imparts a cloud point (the temperature above which the PEG chain dehydrates and phase separation occurs in aqueous solution), typically 50–90°C.
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are produced by polyethoxylation of fatty alcohols in the presence of alkaline catalysts (NaOH, KOH) or acid catalysts with ethylene oxide at 100–200°C and 2–5 bar pressure; the reaction is an irreversible ring-opening polymerisation of ethylene oxide initiated by the fatty alcohol hydroxyl group; the EO chain length distribution follows a Poisson distribution around the average y; the reaction is followed by neutralisation, stripping (to remove residual ethylene oxide), and deodorisation; traces of 1,4-dioxane (formed by cyclisation of the polyethylene oxide chain under reaction conditions) may be present in ethoxylated products and must be controlled to ≤1–10 ppm (FDA cosmetic guidance; EU REACH SVHC).
Key chemical reactions: (1) micellar solubilisation of hydrophobic compounds above CMC; (2) cloud point phase separation upon heating above cloud-point temperature (used in cloud-point extraction); (3) oxidative degradation of the PEG chain by peroxides → formaldehyde and glycolaldehyde formation — avoid prolonged exposure to oxidising agents; (4) stable to acid/alkali hydrolysis under normal application conditions; (5) complexation with iodine (PVP-I type behaviour at high EO content); (6) dehydration of EO chain above cloud point temperature.
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are compatible with anionic surfactants (SDS, SLS, SLES, AECs), cationic surfactants (at neutral to slightly alkaline pH, moderate concentrations), amphoteric surfactants (betaines, sulfobetaines), and nonionic surfactants; they are incompatible with concentrated strong oxidising agents (permanganate, peroxides — oxidative PEG chain degradation) at elevated temperature; they may exhibit reduced solubility/cloud-point lowering in the presence of high electrolyte concentrations (salting-out effect for low-EO grades).

Production of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are produced industrially by alkali-catalysed (NaOH or KOH) batch or semi-continuous addition of ethylene oxide to fatty alcohols (C₁₂–C₁₈) at 100–200°C and 2–5 bar pressure; the reaction is initiated by pre-forming the fatty alcohol potassium alkoxide (R-OK), which ring-opens ethylene oxide to give the first oxyethylene unit, which in turn reacts with further ethylene oxide in a chain-growth mechanism until the target average y is reached; product distribution is controlled by the fatty alcohol/ethylene oxide molar ratio; narrow-distribution products require specialty antimony pentahalide or boron-based Lewis acid catalysts; product purification involves vacuum stripping of residual EO, neutralisation, bleaching, and deodorisation.
Commercial polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are available across a wide range of alkyl chain lengths (C₁₂–C₁₈), EO chain lengths (y = 2–100+), and physical forms (liquid, paste, solid wax, powder); pharmaceutical grades comply with USP-NF, PhEur, BP, and/or JP monograph specifications including: identity (IR, hydroxyl value), assay (PEG chain length by GC or NMR, hydroxyl value), free PEG, pH of aqueous solution, heavy metals, residual ethylene oxide, 1,4-dioxane, and microbial limits; packaging: 20–200 kg drums (HDPE or fibre); 1,000 L IBC; bulk; pharmaceutical grades in HDPE or low-density polyethylene-lined containers.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):

Handling of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are generally regarded as mild and non-hazardous materials at use concentrations; standard chemical handling precautions apply: avoid prolonged skin and eye contact; wear gloves and eye protection for routine handling; the free acid form is not applicable (these are non-ionic ethers, not acids); solid grades may cause mild mechanical eye irritation; use in well-ventilated areas for heated or molten grades.
Pharmaceutical-grade polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are excipients of established safety profile, widely used in marketed pharmaceutical products; standard excipient handling and GMP storage practices apply; avoid contact with strong oxidising agents to prevent PEG chain degradation; keep away from excessive heat to avoid melting and spill hazard for solid grades.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers SDS:

Stability and Reactivity of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:

Chemical stability:
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are chemically stable under normal ambient storage conditions across pH 2–12 due to the absence of hydrolysable ester linkages.
Oxidative degradation of the PEG chain can occur under prolonged exposure to oxidising agents (peroxides, air oxidation at elevated temperature) — antioxidants (BHT, BHA) may be added to long-term stored formulations.

Reactivity:
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers are not significantly reactive under normal ambient conditions; they are not flammable liquids at ambient temperature (solid and paste grades have flash points above 100°C).
At elevated temperatures (>100°C), prolonged exposure to air may initiate slow PEG chain peroxidation; contact with strong oxidising agents at elevated temperature should be avoided.

Conditions to avoid:
Strong oxidising agents (peroxides, permanganates, concentrated bleach) at elevated temperature.
Temperatures above melting point for extended periods without oxidative protection (risk of PEG peroxidation).
Contamination with 1,4-dioxane during ethoxylation — controlled by vacuum stripping (monitor per FDA/EU limits).

Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidising agents at elevated temperature.
Concentrated mineral acids (may cause EO chain protonation and reduced solubility — not hydrolysis).
High concentrations of certain cationic surfactants at acidic pH.

Hazardous decomposition products:
No hazardous decomposition products under normal handling conditions.
At very high temperatures (>300°C): decomposition of the PEG chain may yield formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and CO/CO₂.
Trace 1,4-dioxane may be present in ethoxylated products — controlled per applicable regulations.

Handling and Storage of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:

Handling:
Handle in well-ventilated areas; wear gloves and safety glasses for routine handling.
For molten/heated solid grades: take precautions against hot-liquid burns; use appropriate PPE.
Store in original, tightly closed containers; avoid contamination with water (may cause product softening for solid grades).
GMP storage for pharmaceutical grades: clean, dry, temperature-controlled area per pharmacopoeial requirements.

Storage:
Store in a cool (15–25°C), dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Protect solid grades from excessive heat (>melting point) — may cause phase separation or product pooling.
Keep away from strong oxidising agents.
Shelf life: typically 24–36 months under recommended storage conditions.
Packaging: 20–200 kg drums (HDPE or fibre drum); 1,000 L IBC; pharmaceutical grades in HDPE or PE-lined containers.

First Aid Measures for Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:

Inhalation: Move to fresh air; rarely relevant under normal ambient handling.
Skin contact: Rinse with water; generally non-irritating at use concentrations; wash with soap and water.
Eye contact: Rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; consult a physician if irritation persists.
Ingestion: Rinse the mouth; seek medical advice; very low acute oral toxicity.

Firefighting Measures for Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:

Suitable extinguishing media: CO₂, dry chemical, foam, water spray (avoid direct jet on burning liquid/melt).
Specific hazards: Solid and paste grades are combustible; flash point typically >100°C; not flammable at ambient temperature; combustion produces CO and CO₂.
Protective equipment for firefighters: Standard protective equipment; SCBA if significant smoke.

Accidental Release Measures for Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:

Personal precautions: Wear gloves and eye protection; contain spill; hot-melt spill presents burn risk — allow to cool before handling.
Environmental precautions: Biodegradable; prevent large quantities from entering water courses.
Clean-up: Collect with inert absorbent or allow solid grade to solidify and collect; dispose per applicable regulations.

Exposure Controls / Personal Protective Equipment:
Eye protection: Safety glasses.
Hand protection: Nitrile or latex gloves for prolonged contact.
Respiratory protection: Not required under normal handling conditions.
Engineering controls: Good general ventilation; local exhaust for heated/molten material processing.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers Identifiers:
CAS (PEG monolauryl ether): 9002-92-0
CAS (PEG monocetyl ether): 9004-95-9
CAS (PEG monooleyl ether): 9004-98-2
CAS (PEG monostearyl ether): 9005-00-9
General formula: CH₃(CH₂)ₓ(OCH₂CH₂)ᵧOH
x+1: 12 (lauryl), 14 (myristyl), 16 (cetyl), 18 (stearyl/oleyl)
y: typically 10–60 (average EO units)
HLB range: ~3 (steareth-2) to ~18 (laureth-23)
Physical form: Liquid (low y) → paste → solid wax (high y)
Colour: Colourless, white, cream, or pale yellow
Pharmacopoeial designations: USP-NF, PhEur, BP, JP (see Section 1)
INCI names: Laureth-N, Myreth-N, Ceteth-N, Steareth-N (N = average EO units)
GHS Classification: Not classified (typical grades at use concentrations)
Regulatory: FDA GRAS/excipient; PhEur/USP-NF/BP/JP listed; INCI-registered; REACH registered
1,4-Dioxane: Trace; controlled per FDA (≤10 ppm cosmetics) and EU limits
Biodegradability: Biodegradable (OECD 301/302; rate varies by alkyl/EO chain)

Properties of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:
Physical state: Liquid (low EO) → paste → solid wax (high EO)
Appearance: Colourless, white, cream, or pale yellow; clear liquid to opaque solid
Odour: Slight, characteristic; essentially odourless
HLB: ~3 (steareth-2) to ~18 (laureth-23)
Cloud point: 50–90°C (aqueous solution, grade-dependent)
Melting point: 30–55°C (solid grades)
Solubility: Dispersible to freely soluble in water (increases with y)
Solubility in organic solvents: Soluble in ethanol, IPA, acetone, chlorinated solvents; sparingly soluble in oils
Electrolyte tolerance: High (nonionic, no charge sensitivity)
pH stability: Stable pH 2–12 (no hydrolysis of ether linkage)
Compatibility: Anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric surfactants
GHS Classification: Not classified
Storage: 15–25°C; dry; tightly closed; away from heat and oxidants

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers — Specifications (Pharmaceutical Grade):
Active substance: Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether (specific grade as declared)
Structural formula: CH₃(CH₂)ₓ(OCH₂CH₂)ᵧOH
Alkyl chain: C₁₂, C₁₄, C₁₆, C₁₈, or C₁₈ (unsaturated)
EO units (y): As specified (average value)
Hydroxyl value: As per pharmacopoeial monograph
Acid value: ≤1 mgKOH/g
pH (1–5% aqueous): 5.0–7.5
Heavy metals: ≤10 ppm (as per PhEur/USP-NF)
Residual ethylene oxide: ≤1 ppm
1,4-Dioxane: ≤10 ppm (FDA cosmetic guidance) or as per applicable standard
Microbial limits: Per pharmacopoeial requirements for excipients
Appearance: As declared for specific grade (liquid, paste, or solid)
Storage: 15–25°C; tightly closed; dry; away from heat and oxidising agents
Packaging: 20–200 kg drums; pharmaceutical grades in HDPE or PE-lined containers
Documents: CoA, pharmacopoeial compliance certificate, MSDS/SDS, 1,4-dioxane report

Names of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers:
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether
Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers
POAE
Ethoxylated fatty alcohol
Fatty alcohol ethoxylate
FAE
Polyethylene glycol alkyl ether
Macrogol ether
Brij (ICI/Croda)
Cremophor A (BASF)
Emulgen (Kao)
Volpo (Croda)
Marlowet
Plurafac
Ritoleth
Ritox
Texofor A
Ethosperse
Ethylan
Procol
Renex
Cyclogol 1000
Empilan KB
Empilan KM
Laureth-N (INCI, C₁₂)
Myreth-N (INCI, C₁₄)
Ceteth-N (INCI, C₁₆)
Steareth-N (INCI, C₁₈)
Lauromacrogol (JP)
Macrogol lauryl ether (PhEur/BP)
Macrogol stearyl ether (PhEur/BP)
Macrogol oleyl ether (PhEur/BP)
Macrogol cetostearyl ether (PhEur/BP)
Polyoxyl lauryl ether (USP-NF)
Polyoxyl stearyl ether (USP-NF)
Polyoxyl 10 oleyl ether (USP-NF)
Polyoxyl 20 cetostearyl ether (USP-NF)
Cetomacrogol 1000
Polidocanol (laureth-9)
CAS 9002-92-0 (PEG monolauryl ether)
CAS 9004-95-9 (PEG monocetyl ether)
CAS 9004-98-2 (PEG monooleyl ether)
CAS 9005-00-9 (PEG monostearyl ether)