7582. Polysorbates

Nomenclature

Polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters; POE sorbitan esters.

Description and references

Nonionic surfactants derived from sorbitan esters, q.v. Comprehensive description: P. Becher, “Polyol Surfactants” in Nonionic Surfactants, M. J. Schick, Ed. (Dekker, New York, 1967) pp 247-299. Description of prepn and uses: L. R. Chislett, J. Walford, Int. Flavours Food Addit. 7, 61 (1976). Pharmacology of polysorbate 80: R. K. Varma et al., Arzneim.-Forsch. 35, 804 (1985). Determn in foods: H. Kato et al., J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. 72, 27 (1989).

Chemical structure

Derivative

Polysorbate 80.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 9005-65-6
Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate; POE (20) sorbitan monooleate; Emsorb 6900 (Emery); Liposorb O-20 (Lipo); Monitan (Ives); Sorlate (Abbott); T-Maz 80 (Mazur); Tween 80 (ICI).

Properties

Lemon- to amber-colored, oily liquid. d 1.06-1.09. Viscosity (25°): 300-500 cSt. Very sol in water; sol in alcohol, cottonseed oil, corn oil, ethyl acetate, methanol, toluene. Insol in mineral oil. pH of 5% aq soln between 6 and 8. LD50 in mice, rats (ml/kg): 7.5, 6.3 i.p. (Varma).

Use

As emulsifiers and dispersing agents in medicinal products; as defoamers and emulsifiers in foods. Pharmaceutic aid (surfactant).