Polyethylene glycol cetyl ether (polyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether) is a nonionic surfactant produced by the ethoxylation of cetyl alcohol to give a material with the general formula HO(C2H4O)nC16H33. Several grades of this material are available depending on the level of ethoxylation performed, with repeat units (n) of polyethylene glycol varying between 2 and 20. Commercially it can be known as Cetomacrogol 1000, Brij 58 (when n=20), Brij 56 (when n=10), and other trade names.

It is used as a solubilizer and emulsifying agent in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, often as an ointment base.[1] It is used as an oil in water (O/W) emulsifier for creams/lotions, and a wetting agent.

See also

  • Isoceteth-20 - a similar material made using iso-cetyl alcohol

References

  1. ^ "Polyethylene glycol 1000 cetyl ether cream". NCI Drug Dictionary. National Cancer Institute.
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