Poly ethylene glycols (PEGs) are family of water-soluble linear polymers formed by the additional reaction of ethylene oxide (EO) With mono ethylene glycols (MEG) or diethylene glycol.
The generalized formula for polyethylene glycol is: H (OCH2 CH2) n OH
N: Average number of repeating ethylene oxide groups. There are many grades of Poly ethylene
glycols (PEGs) that Represents them by theirs average molecular weight. For example, PEG 400
consists of a distribution of polymers of varying molecular weights with an average of 400, which
corresponds to an approximate average number of repeating EO groups (n) of ≈9. Polyethylene glycols
are available in average molecular weight ranging from 200 to 8000; this wide range of products
provides flexibility in choosing properties to meet the requirements of many different applications.
Nomenclature of these products is different.
• CAS name: ploy ethylene (oxyethylene) glycol.
Chemical abstracts Society
• IUPAC name: poly ethylene Glycol
International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry
• INCI * Name: PEG -4, PEG-6, PEG-8,
International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient
• CTFA name: PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-8
Cosmetics, Toiletry & Fragrance Association
Depending on their average molecular weights, the Polyethylene glycols Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) may
be liquid or solid at STD condition.
PEG grades: 200,300,400,600 in liquid form PEG 1000 ,1500 soft solid (white) an PEG2000,3000,4000,
6000, 8000 hard solid (white)
ETETCO Supplies these range of products to meet all applicable requirements in USP/NF for use in drug
industries.
The most important physical property:
Depend on molecular weight the wide range of the physical property such as solubility, hygroscopic,
vapour pressure, melting or freezing point and viscosity are variable:
A: Solubility: Increasing the molecular weight of Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) results in decreasing solubility in water & solvents. PEGs are also soluble in many polar organic solvents such as acetone,
alcohols.
B: Hygroscopic: Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are hygroscopic, it means that they attract and retain
moisture from the atmosphere. Hygroscopic decrease as molecular weight increases.
C: viscosity: Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) can be considered Newtonian fluids, so the kinematic viscosity
of Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) decreases as temperature increases.
D: Stability: Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) have low volatility and are thermally stable for limited period of
time below 300°c and without o 2
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Pharmaceuticals: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) grades meet requirements of USP/ NF and BP and are widely use in pharmaceutical formulations. As solvent, water soluble, binder, lubricant, plasticizer and use in ointment base, tablet coating, gelatine capsule, liquid oral medications.
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Cosmetics: As the water soluble, odourless, neutral, hygroscopic, lubricant, plasticizer, non-volatile, no irritating properties: The Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are used in wide range of cosmetics and personal care products such as creams, lotions, sticks, cakes, powders, jellies.
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Household products: Soaps, detergents, polishes & cleaners are main applicant of poly ethylene glycols, because these products are water soluble & inert, with low volatility and low toxicity.
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Ceramics and tile: As the plasticizer, lubricity, binders and carriers’ properties: Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are widely use in ceramic and tile industry.
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Adhesives and textile: As the plasticizer, lubricants, softeners, antistatic agents & conditional agents, Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are used in adhesives & textile industry.
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Agriculture as water solubility & solubilize for organic insecticides.:
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paper, printing and inks as softener, humectants, solvents, lubricants & carriers:
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Paints & coating as intermediates for alkyd & polyester resins.:
Liquid Form
| Characteristic |
Test Method |
Unit |
PEG 200 |
PEG 300 |
PEG 400 |
PEG 600 |
| MOLES OF EO |
–
|
–
|
3EO
|
5EO
|
8EO
|
13EO
|
| APPEARANCE |
VISUAL |
– |
COLORLESS |
COLORLESS |
COLORLESS |
COLORLESS |
| VISCOSOTY 40°C |
ASTM D – 445 |
CSt |
21-25 |
31-35 |
40-45 |
60-66 |
| PH |
ASTM D -1172 |
– |
5-7 |
5-7 |
5-7 |
5-7 |
| HYDROXYL NO. |
ASTM D -4252 |
MgKOH/gr |
510-623 |
340-415 |
261-303 |
172-204 |
| M.W |
CALCULATED |
Kg/Kmol |
180 -220 |
270-330 |
370-340 |
172-204 |
| WATERCONTENT |
BALLESTRA
B – Z6 |
WT.% |
0.5 MAX. |
0.5 MAX. |
0.5 MAX. |
0.5 MAX. |
Solid Form
| Characteristic |
Test Method |
Unit |
PEG-1000 |
PEG – 2000 |
PEG – 3000 |
PEG – 4000 |
PEG – 6000 |
| MOLES OF EO |
– |
– |
22 EO |
45 EO |
72 EO |
93 EO |
152 EO |
| APPEARANCE |
VISUAL |
– |
WHITE PASTE |
FLAKE |
FLAKE |
FLAKE |
FLAKE |
| VISCOSOTY@40°C |
ASTM D – 445 |
CSt |
36 – 40 |
80 – 100 |
150 – 210 |
260 – 360 |
600 – 900 |
| PH |
ASTM D – 1172 |
– |
5 – 7 |
5 – 7 |
5 – 7 |
5- 7 |
5 – 7 |
| HYDROXYL NO. |
ASTM D – 4252 |
mg KOH/gr |
106 – 119 |
51- 62 |
25.5 – 29.5 |
25 – 30 |
17- 22 |
| M.W |
CALCULATED |
Kg/Kmol |
940 – 1060 |
1810 – 2200 |
2700 – 3300 |
3740 – 4480 |
5100 – 7000 |
| WATER CONTENT |
BALLESTRA B – Z6 |
WT.% |
0.5 MAX. |
0.5 MAX. |
0.5 MAX. |
0.5 MAX. |
0.5 MAX. |
Liquid form of PEGs (200 to 1000) are packed in 220 lit (net: 200 Kg) drums, each 4 drum stepped of a pallet.
Solid form (up to PEG 1000) packed in Bag (net: 25 Kg) The PEG products have shelf life of 24 months
from the date of manufacture & maintained in adequate storage condition.
Shelf life of pharmacy grades is 12 months
