BOULING CHEMICAL CO.,LIMITED

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Polyethylene Oxide (PEO): A Practical Commentary

Historical Development

People started working with polyethylene oxide in the early 1950s, right as the chemical industry aimed to branch out from simple polyethylenes toward more versatile water-soluble polymers. Chemists built on the everyday idea of polyether chains and noticed that by swapping out some of the usual short segments for longer “oxide” links, they could get a material that didn’t just sit around as a plastic but dissolved in water without fuss. I remember the veteran engineers in the lab talking about the first big PEO production runs—how the resin gummed up their pumps until they figured out the right solvent blends. The historical roll-out reflected bigger trends across chemistry, where demand for better drug carriers, cleaner processing aids, and smarter binders drove research deep into the 1970s. Growing up around plant operations, I often heard how polyethylene glycol and PEO shared a backbone, but at higher molecular weights PEO brought flexibility to process water-based paints and even supported paper pulp as the paper industry raced to cut energy and costs.

Product Overview

Polyethylene oxide comes as a white powder or granule, often odorless and tasteless. People commonly see the brand names Polyox, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) for lower molecular weights, and trade synonyms like Polyox WSR or Alkapol-O. Its molecular weight covers a pretty staggering range—from a few hundred thousand all the way up to several million daltons. Lower weights show up in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, while higher-molecular versions get mixed into cement or flow-assist products for mining. Most folks don’t think twice about the fact that the same backbone that gives PEO its thickening power also means it attracts water and forms a slick surface in solution—something backyard gardeners notice with hydrogels or craft makers use when creating slimes or model casting gels.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Expect polyethylene oxide to act almost like a cross between a sugar and a plastic. It dissolves quickly in water, producing solutions that refuse to behave like simple syrup— you can get slow-pouring, stringy gels even from a little bit of powder. The melting point ranges from 65 to 70°C for lower weights but climbs fast for higher grades. A big point to keep in mind: with higher molecular weights, chains tangle up tighter, boosting viscosity and making filtration a real pain. On the chemical side, the ethylene oxide units repeat over and over, with the only reactive sites being at the ends of the chains—handy for scientists who want to customize PEO for drug delivery or specialty coatings. In the real world, PEO stands up against weak acids and bases, but strong oxidizers tear it apart.

Technical Specifications & Labeling

Manufacturers label PEO products by molecular weight, solution viscosity, and purity. The technical sheets list viscosity at common concentrations, clarity of the solution, and ash content. In my experience, most users care about two numbers: molecular weight and viscosity at a given percent in water, measured at 25°C. Food or pharma grade PEO will always carry purity marks, listing heavy metal and microbial limits. Labeling might also call out particle size when sold for 3D printing or special filtration tasks, since clumping can turn a simple job into a mess. The labeling doesn’t just serve a paperwork function; it tells you if the powder will go into medical uses, water treatment, or industrial adhesives.

Preparation Method

Polyethylene oxide comes from polymerizing ethylene oxide, a simple and reactive building block. The process uses a catalyst, usually an alkali like sodium or potassium, and a water-based or alcohol-based medium. Control over pressure, temperature, and time means you can dial up the molecular weight—essential for meeting different industry needs. On large scales, the reaction becomes finicky: the raw ethylene oxide vaporizes quickly, and reactors need careful pressure control to avoid runaway reactions. At home scale, people make tiny amounts in college labs for experiments, but large batches always demand strict safety protocols, since ethylene oxide can be toxic, flammable, and explosive. Early pioneers learned through trial and error—the complexity of achieving high purity and consistent chain lengths only became possible with modern process monitoring.

Chemical Reactions & Modifications

The simplicity of PEO’s structure—just a chain of -CH2CH2O- links—means chemists focus mostly on end-group reactions. Scientists attach drugs, fluorescent probes, or extra functional links to the ends, making PEO the workhorse for stealth drug delivery vehicles or “brush” polymers. Crosslinking, grafting, or block-copolymerization with other chains opens up PEO’s use in gel formation, hydrogels, and tissue engineering. Environmental or biomedical researchers often modify surface chemistry, tuning hydrophilicity or dispersibility. At the plant, crosslinking reactions—using formaldehyde or dialdehydes—help make membranes with specific filter or release profiles. The rugged backbone generally resists attack, though sunlight and strong laundry bleach break it down, a consideration for people looking at long-lasting outdoor or biocompatible applications.

Synonyms & Product Names

Polyethylene oxide goes by different tags depending on whom you ask or which industry you visit. Lab catalogs use Poly(ethylene oxide) or simply PEO. Lower-molecular-weight cousins get branded as PEG (Polyethylene Glycol), followed by numbers showing average chain size, like PEG 400 or PEG 8000. Polyox comes from Union Carbide’s early trademark. People in the paper or textile businesses often just call it “water-soluble resin,” while technical specs in patents or journals spell out the full IUPAC name to avoid confusion. On store shelves, hydrogel beads sometimes list PEO as an ingredient, though consumer products tend to hide it in generic ingredient lists as “polyether” or “copolymer.” Knowing these synonyms helps in cross-referencing safety data, regulatory statuses, or procurement for R&D.

Safety & Operational Standards

Working with PEO, you learn that the raw polymer sits in the low-risk column, especially compared to other chemicals in an industrial or academic setup. Inhalation of the fine powder can cause mild irritation; basic dust masks and gloves keep things comfortable. Once dissolved, the solution tends to be slippery, leading to falls in labs or production lines if spills aren’t cleaned right away. Safe storage calls for sealed containers, as PEO attracts water and grows clumpy. For larger operations, dust control and explosion-proof equipment matter since fine powders mixed with air have set off rare but real dust explosions. Polyethylene oxide manufacture uses ethylene oxide as a precursor, a notorious respiratory hazard and carcinogen, so plants isolate this step from routine handling zones. PEO for pharmaceuticals or food passes through tighter controls, with rigorous batch testing, heavy metal screening, and microbial count tracking. Compliance comes not as a checkbox, but as a lifeline to protect workers and end users.

Application Area

Few materials cover such a range of real-world uses as polyethylene oxide. Its ability to thicken water with just a pinch puts it front and center in paint manufacture, cosmetics, toothpaste, and batteries. I’ve seen mining and oil drilling crews use it to cut down water usage by boosting mud viscosity, making drilling smoother and faster. In paper mills, it helps trap fine fibers, improving yield with less waste. Hospitals and clinics rely on PEO as a laxative base (PEG 3350 is popular), and dialysis filters often use crosslinked PEO membranes for stable separation of waste molecules from blood. Scientists mix biomedical-grade PEO into hydrogels for wound dressings, while hobbyists find it in modeling clays or slime. 3D printers even use it as a binder for powder beds. Across the board, its combination of solubility, non-toxicity, and ease of handling make it the behind-the-scenes backbone for many industries.

Research & Development

Research into PEO keeps branching out, especially in universities, where new work on drug delivery, smart materials, and water remediation makes headlines. Labs often try to graft reactive groups onto PEO for targeted drug release, or design hydrogels that mimic the softness and flexibility of biological tissue. Pharmaceutical companies experiment with blending PEO into tablet coatings to control pill dissolution and absorption rates. Green chemistry researchers push for bio-based production routes, cutting reliance on petroleum-derived ethylene oxide. Efforts to make biodegradable PEO analogs reflect the pressure from regulators and consumers alike to reduce waste. In materials science, custom block copolymers involving PEO as one phase enable the self-assembly of membranes, which could filter water or air more precisely. No matter where you stand, the amount of specialty hardware, talent, and data analysis that goes into PEO research has skyrocketed over the years, a testament to its ongoing significance.

Toxicity Research

Toxicology studies on polyethylene oxide, especially at commercial molecular weights, show that it passes through the digestive system without getting absorbed in significant amounts. Animal studies suggest little to no buildup in tissues, and most oral ingestion—like in prescribed PEG 3350—ends up excreted in feces. Dermal and eye exposure carries low irritation risk; rare allergic reactions draw attention only in cases of medical device coatings or direct injection drugs. Environmental toxicity stays low, though freshwater bacteria and some aquatic life can break down PEO into smaller ethylene glycol units over weeks. Still, discharge of large amounts calls for control, since breakdown draws oxygen from the water. Regulatory agencies, including the US FDA, have green-lit PEO for use in foods, drugs, and cosmetics, reinforcing its low toxicity profile when used as intended. Having seen toxicity requests from government watchdogs, I know manufacturers need to back up low-risk claims with real batch and clinical data, especially as new applications—say, in wound healing or implantable hydrogels—come under public scrutiny.

Future Prospects

The future for polyethylene oxide holds promise, especially with growing pressure for safer, smarter, and more sustainable materials. Researchers are building on decades of know-how to engineer PEO copolymers that release drugs on demand or support tissue growth in the body. Advances in 3D printing point to tailored PEO blends for new manufacturing methods, letting makers combine water-soluble molds with heat-resistant fillers. Green chemistry will guide the next steps, with teams searching for ethylene oxide alternatives or pipelines that recycle used PEO into new material. The biggest challenge probably lies in balancing performance with biodegradability; the push for materials that vanish after use will drive both regulatory and commercial innovation. With industry, academia, and regulators demanding cleaner, more effective, and diverse polymers, PEO isn’t just following trends—it helps shape them, and that influence looks set for the long run.



What is Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) used for?

An Unseen Ingredient With Big Impact

Polyethylene oxide, or PEO, doesn’t get much attention. People rarely talk about it at the dinner table, and yet, it turns up in places most folks would never expect. Its real value shows in how it makes everyday things work better, smoother, or just plain possible. I’ve come across PEO in food, healthcare, construction, and even art supplies, and it always feels like finding a hidden thread woven through daily life.

PEO in Medicine and Health

Hospitals and clinics count on reliable ingredients. One time, when I was chatting with a friend from a hospital pharmacy, she told me about the challenge with patient compliance for tablets—if those pills fall apart too soon or don’t digest slowly enough, the medicine just doesn’t do its job well. PEO is prized here because it controls how drugs release in the body. When it coats or forms a pill, the drug takes its time dissolving, which helps people get a steadier dose. This isn’t just a lab trick. This approach means someone with chronic pain can trust that their medicine eases symptoms over hours, not just in one sudden burst. Beyond pills, you’ll even find PEO in wound dressings thanks to its smooth gel-forming abilities—a feature that helps wounds stay moist and speeds up healing.

Quality Bread and Better Noodles

Take a walk down the grocery aisle, or recall working with dough at home. Ever noticed how some breads hold moisture longer or how certain noodles don’t fall apart so quickly in hot water? In small amounts, PEO steps in to hold things together. It keeps fibers smooth, lets bakers shape dough more easily, and helps cooks worry less about dinner falling apart in the pot. Food scientists like it because it handles both thickening and stabilizing, and can even help with calories when replacing fat in recipes.

Cleaner Water and Tougher Construction Materials

Communities everywhere face dirty water problems. I remember a neighborhood cleanup where workers discussed the chemicals and methods needed to clear up pond water. Turns out, municipal water treatment plants rely on PEO as a flocculant—a fancy term for shaking up suspended particles and making them settle. The water becomes clearer and safer, without harsh or expensive methods. In concrete production, PEO helps give cement and mortar the right texture. The substance slows down how quickly concrete hardens so workers get more time to pour and shape it. This extra control can mean fewer mistakes and less waste on busy job sites.

Smoother Printing and Fun With Science

Anyone who has spent time in an art classroom or at a packaging plant will spot PEO, even if they don’t know the name. It improves ink and paint flow. For students, it shows up in that classic elementary school science demonstration—think homemade “slime.” Beyond fun, chemists and engineers use these same properties for cutting-edge polymer research, right down to nanofibers and drug delivery capsules. Universities depend on the consistent, safe behavior of PEO for experiments that might spark the next big thing in material science or medicine.

Room for Safety and Transparency

PEO has earned an “approved” status in both food and drug manufacturing in many countries. Still, just like any chemical, questions about purity and additives deserve attention. Regulatory agencies must keep a close eye on sourcing and quality. People benefit most when manufacturers and investigators stay honest about what goes into finished products, whether it’s a painkiller, a loaf of bread, or a fresh batch of tap water. A watchful eye—along with clear standards—builds trust in all these quiet but critical uses for polyethylene oxide.

What are the different grades or molecular weights of PEO available?

What Makes PEO Stand Out?

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) has found its spot in everything from medicine to construction. The real kicker isn’t just what PEO does—it’s the grade and molecular weight that decide how it performs. Molecular weight in PEO refers to how long its polymer chains are. Shorter chains give a thicker pour and dissolve quickly, while the long ones turn into sticky, stringy gels stronger than you’d expect.

Low Molecular Weight Grades

Low molecular weight PEO usually means chains in the 100,000–600,000 range. These go down in water like instant coffee—fast and easy. Chemists and engineers choose these grades for jobs needing slipperiness or a bit of extra glide. Think of tablet coatings that break down in your stomach or personal care products meant to feel silky, not sticky. Folks in the agricultural world toss these grades in products like seed coatings or water retention gels, helping crops pull water from the soil.

Medium Molecular Weight Grades

PEO grades with weights from about 600,000 to 2,000,000 play a different role. This stuff starts getting thick. You’ll see it used as a thickener in paints or as a drag reducer in pipelines. Water bottlers who want clear liquids that flow smoothly rely on these grades to keep things moving. In the textile field, medium molecular weight PEO helps fibers slide during spinning. Hospitals count on these grades for drug delivery gels that hold together but can still spread nicely.

High Molecular Weight Grades

High molecular weight PEO, usually clocking in above 2,000,000 (with some going over 7 million), is a whole different beast. People who mix concrete use it to keep everything from separating, especially in hot or dry weather. Manufacturers of hydrogels for bandages and wound care need this level of stickiness for controlled release and strong adhesion. Sometimes, city water departments use high-end PEO to treat wastewater, since these grades can trap and settle out fine debris.

Why the Differences Matter

If you’ve ever tried cooking with the wrong type of flour, the muffled results down the line are similar to picking the wrong PEO grade. You wouldn’t try to make gravy with cake flour if you wanted it extra thick. Users in every industry pull out the lab data—viscosity, dissolving speed, gelling strength—then balance quality with cost. Researchers from the American Chemical Society have published reviews showing that high molecular weights boost gel strength by over 200%, compared to their lighter cousins. Small errors in PEO grade selection can gum up machinery or give faulty results down the line.

PEO Beyond Chemistry

For anyone in manufacturing or science, molecular weight isn’t just tech talk. It’s about whether a drug reaches your bloodstream fast enough, or if road crews can spray dust control and make it stick for weeks. In my work helping companies source chemicals, I’ve seen clients change their entire production line after realizing a slight upgrade in molecular weight gave them a smoother batch with less waste. Bottom line, molecular weight provides flexibility, but it rewards those who understand the tiny details.

Pushing Innovation with Smarter Choices

Solutions grow from questions—sometimes as practical as “How can we ship paint that stays mixed?” Stakeholders keep their eyes on technology and sustainability. Biodegradable options and bio-sourced PEO grades get attention as part of reducing microplastic waste and energy use. Investing in closer communication between buyers, lab techs, and process engineers usually beats a textbook answer. Sometimes a small increase in molecular weight means fewer headaches, better product performance, and even happier end customers.

How should Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) be stored?

Why Storage of PEO Really Matters

Working in a lab, you get a healthy respect for materials like Polyethylene Oxide. This compound helps in everything from pill coatings to personal care products, but nobody talks enough about the basics—keeping it in good shape. Good storage practices can save real money, cut down on wasted batches, and protect people from unnecessary risks. I’ve seen what happens when someone tosses a bag of PEO on a damp shelf: you end up with a gummy, unusable mess. That wastes time and sets back projects.

Key Risks with Poor Storage

PEO absorbs moisture from the air. This hydrophilic nature turns storage into a balancing act. Touch a batch that sat out too long, and it feels sticky. This change in consistency affects everything downstream, from mixing properties to solubility. Mold can grow if moisture seeps into packaging, raising contamination risks. Once PEO’s properties shift, you’re battling clumping in tablet formation or clogged filters in water treatment. On the safety side, I’ve seen powdered PEO drifting around from broken bags—any dust in the air means a mess and an inhalation hazard for workers.

Solid Storage Rules – What Actually Works

I store PEO like I do anything sensitive to humidity and heat. Airtight containers are essential. A heavy, resealable drum or double-thick plastic bags keep air and water out. In spaces with lots of temperature swings, storage rooms with steady, cool conditions help. I check that our cabinets stay below 25°C. Any hotter, and the risk of the plastic degrading—even in a closed bag—rises. There’s a reason I keep PEO away from windows and radiators. Sunlight speeds up degradation far quicker than most people realize.

Desiccant packets provide a cheap backup for extra moisture control, and silica gel packets can sit right in the container. Some folks use vacuum-sealed packaging for long-term storage, which works if there’s a bigger budget or a strict quality protocol. Shelving higher off the ground keeps containers drier, especially in older buildings where floors sweat during hot weather.

Labeling and Traceability

Every time I open a new batch, I label it with an open date, supplier, and lot number. It’s easy to overlook this when things get busy. Without clear labeling, it’s impossible to know which batch might have been exposed to air the longest. A lot of labs and manufacturers rotate stock, putting the oldest in front. This simple practice makes sure you use up older product first before it changes.

Disposal and Cleanup

Contaminated or damaged PEO doesn’t just go in the trash. Chemical safety guidelines say to bag and tag it before disposal, and to sweep up any powder with the right protective gear. Proper cleanup saves time, avoids slipping hazards, and keeps the next batch safe from residues. Getting rid of old PEO responsibly is as much about protecting coworkers as it is about regulatory compliance.

Potential Solutions and Community Efforts

Some companies are pushing for better packaging directly from suppliers—think tamper-evident liners and packaging that changes color if moisture gets in. Using humidity indicators on containers makes checks quick. Collaborating with industrial hygienists brings in new ideas, like improved venting or climate-controlled storage rooms. At the end of the day, training everyone—from lab assistants to warehouse staff—means the whole chain stays tight, and the product remains as good as the day it arrived.

Is Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) safe for use in food or pharmaceutical applications?

Why People Use Polyethylene Oxide

Polyethylene oxide, often called PEO, shows up in many places. You’ll find it in laxatives, some drug coatings, and as a thickener for foods and drinks. PEO draws attention because it helps tablets hold together and lets products dissolve at the right speed. It’s slippery, mixes well with water, and costs less than many alternatives. Companies in both the food and drug world gravitate toward it for what seems like practical reasons.

What Science Says About PEO’s Safety

Safety matters more than anything—especially for something that ends up in your body. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lists polyethylene oxide as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for a variety of uses, but not every type or grade fits every purpose. PEO with high molecular weight helps laxatives do their job because its molecules hold lots of water and move through the gut mostly unchanged.

Toxicology studies show PEO doesn’t hang around in tissues, and the body tends to push it out quickly. Researchers looked at animal studies with much higher doses than you’d see in normal foods or drugs. They didn’t see major problems like organ damage or carcinogenic effects. One 2017 toxicology review found extremely high levels could cause gut blockages in rats—essentially because of physical volume—not chemical toxicity. Common doses used in medicine fall way below those levels.

Risks and Misunderstandings

Not every chemical with a complicated name spells trouble. Polyethylene oxide shares its roots with polyethylene glycol (PEG), a common part of many everyday products, including Miralax and some toothpaste. Every now and then someone posts online warning about microplastics and confusion takes off. PEO is a synthetic polymer, but it doesn’t break into tiny plastic shards in the body the way true microplastics do in rivers or oceans. Instead, it dissolves and passes out in the stool, almost like a fiber supplement.

Of course, people can react to anything. Allergic responses to PEO crops up so rarely in published research that doctors hardly ever see it. The biggest risks seem to show up when folks swallow massive doses of high-MW PEO outside standard products, or use it outside official medical guidance.

PEO in Food: Regulations and Real-Life Use

In food, PEO pops up sometimes as a dough conditioner or thickener. The FDA has signed off on some food applications. Still, food products using PEO stay rare compared to the drug world. Europe treats PEO and PEG a little differently, sometimes applying stricter labels, but health agencies generally land in the same spot: small amounts seem fine for most people.

Where Does That Leave People Making Products?

Anyone working on new foods or drugs can’t just grab any bag of polymer and run with it. Meeting safety standards means sticking with pharmaceutical or food-grade PEO, which gets tested for impurities and consistency. Manufacturers document every batch and share these records with regulators. As someone who worked in a product development lab, I watched coworkers spend months making sure excipients like PEO didn’t bring along heavy metals or toxins.

If anyone wants more natural alternatives, gums from plants—like xanthan or guar—offer similar thickening for some uses. Those don’t fit every purpose, but they help people steer clear of anything synthetic if that matters to them.

What to Keep in Mind

PEO brings useful properties to both food and medicine, with regulators giving the green light for specific types and uses. Everyday consumers shouldn’t worry about the chemical based on current evidence, especially within approved limits. If anyone remains uneasy, checking labels and looking up ingredient lists provides peace of mind—and talking with a doctor or pharmacist about products never hurts.

What is the recommended method for dissolving PEO in water?

Mixing PEO: Not as Simple as It Sounds

Mixing up a batch of polyethylene oxide isn't just about tossing powder into a bucket of water. Anyone who handles it for research, drag reduction, or personal care products knows frustration—lumps, stringy clumps, wasted time. PEO is famous for being stubborn in water because it loves to stick to itself before it actually hydrates.

Water Quality and Temperature: Small Details, Big Impact

From my lab days, I've seen tap water full of minerals ruin a dissolve, turning promising polymer into a mess. Clean, deionized water works best because minerals in hard water can change how the polymer chain interacts with water molecules. Water at cool-to-room temperature tends to give better control; heat sounds tempting if you're in a hurry, but turning up the heat can shorten PEO chains, cutting viscosity and performance. Sticking to 20–25°C keeps the molecular weight where it should be.

Powder Addition Is the Dealbreaker

Dumping all the powder in at once—tempting, but you'll end up with jellyfish-like blobs floating at the top. PEO must meet water slowly. Using a powder funnel or even a sieve lets you shake in polymer like seasoning, dusting the surface instead of piling it up.

Agitation: The Right Kind Cuts Blobs

Spinning a stir bar too fast, or plunging in a propeller mixer, creates vortexes pulling in air. Those bubbles trap powder, block hydration, and make things worse. Low-shear mixing is the sweet spot—gentle enough to swirl powder below the surface without dragging in air. I’ve used paddle stirrers or overhead stirrers set to slow speeds. It feels too easy, but it works.

Waiting: The Step No One Likes

After getting the powder into water, patience wins. PEO hydrates slowly. Leaving it to sit overnight—without stirring—lets the last stubborn clumps unravel. Folks who try to rush by adding salt or acids often see the mixture separate or degrade, wasting product. No shortcut outperforms letting it fully hydrate on its own timeline.

Facts Back Up These Steps

PEO’s structure and water affinity can’t be forced. Studies from Dow Chemical and academic sources confirm: slow addition, low-shear mixing, and cool water generate the highest quality gels. Some manufacturers pre-mix PEO with a water-compatible filler (like sugar or salt) for improved dispersion, but most users see good results by sticking to slow, steady techniques.

What’s at Stake for Applications

Poorly mixed PEO leads to wasted product and unpredictable results. In wastewater treatment, personal care, or scientific research, lumps or chain breakage means performance falls short. Consistent method equals consistent performance—saving real dollars and time.

Simple Changes for Better Results

Upgrading from a kitchen whisk or high-speed blender to a low-shear mixer makes a night-and-day difference. Investing in a powder funnel for slow feeding saves headaches. Taking an extra few hours for hydration pays back through better, repeatable results.

Looking Closer, Forget the Shortcuts

PEO challenges anyone seeking instant success. Reliable results live in patience, the right water, careful mixing, and letting nature work. Even the most advanced labs fall back on these basics, because they work—every single time.

Polyethylene Oxide (PEO)
Names
Preferred IUPAC name Poly(oxyethylene)
Other names Polyox
Polyethylene glycol oxide
Polyoxyethylene
Polyethylene oxide homopolymer
PEO
Pronunciation /ˌpɒl.iˈɛθ.ɪˌliːn ˈɒk.saɪd/
Identifiers
CAS Number 25322-68-3
3D model (JSmol) 3D model (JSmol) string of Polyethylene Oxide (PEO): ``` C(CO)O ``` If you need a longer polymeric representation: ``` [CH2CH2O]n ``` This represents the repeating unit of PEO for use in model-building tools.
Beilstein Reference 4000998
ChEBI CHEBI:8016
ChEMBL CHEMBL1201471
ChemSpider 20485214
DrugBank DB09531
ECHA InfoCard 03c4e4d1-668f-4e50-b83f-29c63c540c40
EC Number 600-629-7
Gmelin Reference 70069
KEGG C18747
MeSH D010927
PubChem CID 24859
RTECS number MD0940000
UNII F38VJZ37F9
UN number UN3082
Properties
Chemical formula (C2H4O)n
Molar mass 100,000–5,000,000 g/mol
Appearance White powder or granules
Odor Odorless
Density 0.97 g/cm³
Solubility in water Soluble in water
log P “log P = -2.1”
Vapor pressure Negligible
Acidity (pKa) ~14.8
Basicity (pKb) 4.5
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) −9.0 × 10⁻⁶ (cgs)
Refractive index (nD) 1.455
Viscosity 500 – 7,000 cP
Dipole moment 0 D
Thermochemistry
Std molar entropy (S⦵298) 77.0 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹
Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) −482 kJ/mol
Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) -393.0 kJ/mol
Pharmacology
ATC code A06AX06
Hazards
Main hazards May cause respiratory irritation; dust may cause mechanical irritation to eyes and skin
GHS labelling GHS07, GHS08
Pictograms GHS07
Signal word Warning
Hazard statements H319: Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary statements Wash thoroughly after handling. Wear protective gloves/eye protection/face protection. If on skin: Wash with plenty of water. If skin irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention. Take off contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) NFPA 704: 1-1-0
Flash point > 250 °C (482 °F)
Autoignition temperature 350°C (662°F)
LD50 (median dose) > 34,000 mg/kg (rat, oral)
NIOSH Not established
PEL (Permissible) Not established
Related compounds
Related compounds Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
Polypropylene oxide (PPO)
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)