6677. Nonoxynol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 26027-38-3
α-(4-Nonylphenyl)-ω-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl); polyethyleneglycols mono(nonylphenyl) ether; macrogol nonylphenyl ether; nonoxinol; polyoxyethylene(n)nonylphenyl ether; nonylphenyl polyethyleneglycol ether; nonylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol.

Description and references

Nonionic surfactant mixtures prepd by reacting nonylphenol with ethylene oxide. Prepn of polyoxyethylated alkyl phenols: A. Steindorff et al., US 2213477 (1940 to GAF). Average number of ethylene oxide units (n) per molecule is indicated by number following nonoxynol (e.g. nonoxynol-15 for n = 15). Trademarks for nonoxynol series include Conco NI, Dowfax 9N, Igepal CO, Makon, Neutronyx 600's, Nonipol NO, Polytergent B, Renex 600's, Solar NP, Sterox, Surfonic N, T-DET-N, Tergitol NP, Triton N. Individual members of series indicated by numerical suffixes. Toxicology study: H. F. Smyth Jr., J. C. Calandra, Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 14, 315 (1969). Inactivation of HIV in vitro by nonoxynol-9: M. Malkovsky et al., Lancet 1, 645 (1988). Clinical evaluation of nonoxynol-9 in sexually transmitted diseases: W. C. Louv et al., J. Infect. Dis. 158, 518 (1988). Review: C. R. Enyeart, “Polyoxyethylene Alkylphenols” in Nonionic Surfactants, M. J. Schick, Ed. (Dekker, New York, 1967) pp 44-85.

Chemical structure

Properties

Highly stable compounds. Lower adducts (n <15) are yellow to almost colorless liquids; higher adducts (n >20) are pale yellow to off-white pastes or waxes. Lower adducts (n <6) sol in oil; higher ones sol in water. Review of physical properties: Enyeart, loc. cit.

Derivative

Nonoxynol-9.

Nomenclature

C-Film (Arun); Conco NI-90 (Continental Chem.); Dowfax 9N9 (Dow); Encare (Norwich); Gynol II (Ortho-Cilag); Igepal CO-630 (Rhone-Poulenc); Intercept (Ortho); Neutronyx 611 (Onyx); Semicid (Am. Home); Staycept (Syntex); Tergitol TP-9 (Union Carbide).

Properties

Av. mol wt 617. A component of Conceptrol, Delfen, Gentersal, Ortho-creme. Almost colorless liquid. For Igepal CO-630: d425 1.06; solidif pt 26 ±2°F; pour point 37 ±2°F; flash point 535-555°F; cloud point (1% aq soln) 126-133°F; viscosity (25°): 175-250 cP. Sol in water, ethanol, ethylene glycol, ethylene dichloride, xylene, corn oil. Insoluble in Stoddard solvent, deodorized kerosene, low viscosity white mineral oil.

Derivative

Nonoxynol-11.

Nomenclature

Duragel (LRC); Duracreme (LRC).

Use

Nonionic surfactants used as detergents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, dispersants, stabilizers, intermediates in synthesis of anionic surfactants, defoaming agents. Nonoxynols-9, 11 as spermaticide. Nonoxynols-4, 15, 30 as pharmaceutic aids (surfactants).