Nomenclature
CAS number: 25322-68-3
α-Hydro-ω-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl); macrogol; PEG; Carbowax (Union Carbide); Pluracol E (BASF); Poly-G (Olin); Polyglycol E (Dow).
Description and 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
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.Derivative
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).Derivative
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.Derivative
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.Derivative
Polyethylene glycol 4000.
Nomenclature
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).Derivative
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).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.
Therapeutic Category
Laxative.
Keywords
Laxative/Cathartic