Title: Polyethylene Glycol
CAS Registry Number: 25322-68-3
CAS Name: a-Hydro-w-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)
Synonyms: macrogol; PEG
Trademarks: Carbowax (Union Carbide); Pluracol E (BASF); Poly-G (Olin); Polyglycol E (Dow)
Literature References: Liquid and solid polymers of the general formula H(OCH2CH2)
nOH, where
n is greater than or equal to 4. In general, each PEG is followed by a number which corresponds to its average mol wt. Synthesis: Fordyce, Hibbert,
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 61, 1905, 1910 (1939). Polyethylene glycols are compds of low toxicity: Smyth
et al., J. Am. Pharm. Assoc. Sci. Ed. 39, 349 (1950). Toxicity data (PEG 400): W. Bartsch
et al., Arzneim.-Forsch. 26, 1581 (1976).
Reviews: Glycols, G. O. Curme, F. Johnston, Eds. (Reinhold, New York, 1952) pp 176-202; Kastens in
High Polymers, H. Mark
et al., Eds.,
vol. 13 entitled
Polyethers,
part 1 (Interscience, New York, 1963) pp 169-189, 274-291; G. M. Powell, III in
Handbook of Water-Soluble Gums & Resins, R. L. Davidson, Ed. (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1980) pp 18/1-18/31.
Book:
Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Chemistry: Biotechnical and Biomedical Applications, J. M. Harris, Ed. (Plenum Press, New York, 1992) 385 pp. Series of articles on pegylation to enhance delivery of protein drugs:
Adv. Drug Delivery Rev. 54, 453-609 (2002). Clinical evaluation as laxative: S. Chaussade, M. Minic,
Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. 17, 165 (2003).
Properties: Clear, viscous liquids or white solids which dissolve in water forming transparent solns. Sol in many organic solvents. Readily sol in aromatic hydrocarbons. Only slightly sol in aliphatic hydrocarbons. Do not hydrolyze or deteriorate on storage, will not support mold growth. Solvent action on some plastics.
Derivative Type: Polyethylene glycol 200
Properties: Average value of n is 4, mol wt range 190-210. Viscous, hygroscopic liq; slight characteristic odor; d2525 1.127. Viscosity (210°F): 4.3 cSt. Supercools upon freezing.
Density: d2525 1.127
Derivative Type: Polyethylene glycol 400
Properties: Average value of n between 8.2 and 9.1, mol wt range 380-420. Viscous, slightly hygroscopic liq; slight characteristic odor; d2525 1.128. mp 4-8°. Viscosity (210°F): 7.3 cSt. LD50 orally in rats: 30 ml/kg (Bartsch).
Melting point: mp 4-8°
Density: d2525 1.128
Toxicity data: LD50 orally in rats: 30 ml/kg (Bartsch)
Derivative Type: Polyethylene glycol 600
Properties: Average value of n between 12.5 and 13.9, mol wt range 570-630. Viscous, slightly hygroscopic liq; characteristic odor; d2525 1.128. mp 20-25°. Viscosity (210°F): 10.5 cSt.
Melting point: mp 20-25°
Density: d2525 1.128
Derivative Type: Polyethylene glycol 1500
Properties: Average value of n between 29 and 36, mol wt range 1300-1600. White, free-flowing powder; d2525 1.210. mp 44-48°. Viscosity (210°F): 25-32 cSt.
Melting point: mp 44-48°
Density: d2525 1.210
Derivative Type: Polyethylene glycol 4000
Trademarks: Forlax (Ipsen); Idrolax (Schwarz)
Properties: Average value of n between 68 and 84, mol wt range 3000-3700. White, free-flowing powder or creamy-white flakes; d2525 1.212. mp 54-58°. Viscosity (210°F): 76-110 cSt. LD50 orally in rats (divided doses): 59 g/kg (Smyth).
Melting point: mp 54-58°
Density: d2525 1.212
Toxicity data: LD50 orally in rats (divided doses): 59 g/kg (Smyth)
Derivative Type: Polyethylene glycol 6000
Properties: Average value of n between 158 and 204, mol wt range 7000-9000. Powder or creamy-white flakes; d2525 1.21. mp 56-63°. Viscosity (210°F): 470-900 cSt. LD50 orally in rats: >50 g/kg (Smyth).
Melting point: mp 56-63°
Density: d2525 1.21
Toxicity data: LD50 orally in rats: >50 g/kg (Smyth)
Use: Pharmaceutic aid (ointment and suppository base; tablet excipient). As water-soluble lubricants for rubber molds, textile fibers, and metal-forming operations. In food and food packaging. In hair prepns, in cosmetics in general. As a stationary phase in gas chromatography. Also in water paints, paper coatings, polishes and in the ceramics industry.
Therap-Cat: Laxative.
Keywords: Laxative/Cathartic.
