Polyethylene Glycol, Polyglykol, E1521, PEG, 25322-68-3

Polyethylene Glycol, Polyglykol, E1521, PEG, 25322-68-3

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (PEG)

Polyethylene Glycol / Polietilen Glikol / Macrogol / Polyglykol / E1521
CAS Number: 25322-68-3
EC Number: 500-038-2

1. IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION

2. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

3. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

General Structure:

HO-CH₂-CH₂-O-[CH₂-CH₂-O]ₙ-CH₂-CH₂-OH

End Group Functionalization Example (Methoxylation - mPEG):

HO-(CH₂CH₂O)ₙ-H + CH₃OH → CH₃O-(CH₂CH₂O)ₙ-H + H₂O

4. PEG GRADES (BY MOLECULAR WEIGHT)

5. DETAILED PROPERTIES BY PEG TYPE

5.1. Liquid PEGs (PEG 200 - PEG 600)

5.2. Semi-Solid PEGs (PEG 1000 - PEG 2000)

5.3. Solid PEGs (PEG 3000 - PEG 10000)

6. STRUCTURAL TYPES

7. APPLICATIONS

7.1. Cosmetic and Personal Care Industry

7.2. Pharmaceutical Industry

PEGylation Benefits:

• Extends protein/peptide half-life

• Reduces immunogenicity

• Protects against proteolytic degradation

• Improves solubility

7.3. Food Industry

7.4. Textile Industry

7.5. Plastics and Rubber Industry

7.6. Biomedical Industry

7.7. Other Industries

8. BASF PRODUCT LIST (PLURIOL® E SERIES)

9. QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS

10. SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION (GHS CLASSIFICATION)

Note: PEG is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by FDA and has low toxicity. Higher molecular weight PEGs are less toxic than lower molecular weight PEGs.

11. HAZARD STATEMENTS (H-CODES)

12. SAFETY STATEMENTS (P-CODES)

13. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Health Effects:

FDA Status:

14. FIRST AID MEASURES

15. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

16. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

17. STORAGE AND HANDLING

Handling Notes:

• Solid PEG may become slippery on floors; clean spills immediately

• Avoid dust formation when handling solid PEG (use local exhaust ventilation)

• Wash hands after handling

• Keep containers sealed to prevent moisture absorption

• Store away from strong oxidizers

18. OTHER NAMES AND SYNONYMS

Database Identifiers:

19. PEG SELECTION GUIDE

Appropriate PEG Selection:

PEG Blends:

20. SUMMARY AND IMPORTANT WARNINGS

SUMMARY:

Polyethylene glycol (PEG, HO-(CH₂CH₂O)ₙ-H, CAS 25322-68-3) is a family of non-ionic, hydrophilic polymers produced by polymerization of ethylene oxide. PEGs are available in a wide range of molecular weights from 200 g/mol to over 10,000 g/mol. Molecular weight determines physical form: liquids (PEG 200-600), semi-solids (PEG 1000-2000), and solids (PEG 3000+). All PEG grades are highly soluble in water and many organic solvents, have neutral pH (5.0-7.0 in 1% solution), and are non-toxic, biocompatible, and FDA-approved. Major applications include cosmetics (humectant, carrier, viscosity modifier), pharmaceuticals (tablet binder, injection carrier, PEGylation), food industry (emulsifier, carrier, coating agent - E1521), textiles (softener, processing aid), plastics/rubber (mold release, antistatic additive), and biomedical applications (hydrogels, drug delivery, nanoparticle coating). PEGylation (attaching PEG to proteins/peptides) extends drug half-life, reduces immunogenicity, and improves solubility.

Key Properties:

Main Application Areas:

PEG Grades Overview:

Key Safety Points:

• LOW TOXICITY: Oral LD50 >30,000 mg/kg; FDA GRAS status

• NON-IRRITATING: Generally non-irritating to skin and eyes (mild mechanical irritation from dust)

• BIOCOMPATIBLE: Excellent biocompatibility for medical applications

• HYGROSCOPIC: Absorbs moisture from air; keep containers sealed

• COMBUSTIBLE: Flash point >200°C; not readily ignitable

• SLIPPERY: Solid PEG on floors creates slipping hazard

• USE PPE: Dust mask for solid PEG, safety goggles, gloves

• STORAGE: Cool, dry, well-ventilated area; protect from moisture

IMPORTANT WARNINGS:

Molecular Weight Selection: The properties of PEG are highly dependent on molecular weight. Lower molecular weight PEGs (200-600) are viscous liquids used as solvents, humectants, and carriers. Medium molecular weight PEGs (1000-2000) are semi-solid (balm-like) used in ointments and pastes. Higher molecular weight PEGs (3000-10,000) are white solids (flakes, granules, powders) used as tablet binders, plastic additives, and in controlled release systems. Always select the appropriate PEG grade for your specific application.

PEGylation: PEGylation is the covalent attachment of PEG chains to proteins, peptides, or drug molecules. This modification provides several benefits: increased hydrodynamic volume (extended circulation half-life), reduced immunogenicity (masking from immune system), protection from proteolytic degradation, and improved solubility. PEGylation is widely used in the development of biopharmaceuticals, including blockbuster drugs such as PEG-Interferon, PEG-G-CSF (Neulasta), and PEG-anti-VEGF.

Hygroscopicity: All PEG grades are hygroscopic (absorb moisture from air). Liquid PEGs can absorb water, reducing viscosity and potentially affecting product performance. Solid PEGs can become sticky or cake when exposed to high humidity. Keep containers tightly sealed when not in use. Store in a dry environment. For moisture-sensitive applications, consider using fresh material or drying before use.

Slippery Floors: Solid PEG (especially flakes or granules) spilled on floors creates a significant slipping hazard due to its lubricating properties. Clean spills immediately. Do not use water to clean spills (becomes more slippery). Use dry absorbent materials (sand, sawdust, vermiculite) to absorb and remove spilled material, then clean with detergent and water.

FDA Status: PEG is approved for use in many food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. Food additive: E1521 (EU) and GRAS (21 CFR 172.820). Pharmaceutical excipient: USP/NF, Ph. Eur., JP compliant. The specific PEG grade must meet appropriate specifications for each application (e.g., low ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane residues for pharmaceutical use).

Thermal Stability: PEG is stable up to approximately 150°C. Above this temperature, thermal degradation may occur, producing volatile compounds including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and carbon oxides. Avoid prolonged heating at high temperatures, especially in the presence of air (oxidation). For high-temperature applications, consider using stabilized grades or operating under inert atmosphere.

Incompatibilities: PEG is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents (nitric acid, peroxides, permanganates) which can cause oxidation and degradation. Some metal ions (Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺) can catalyze auto-oxidation of PEG at elevated temperatures. Phenolic antioxidants (BHT, BHA) are often added to commercial PEG to improve oxidative stability.

Pharmaceutical Applications (USP/NF Requirements): For pharmaceutical use, PEG must meet USP/NF specifications including limits for:

• Ethylene oxide: ≤1 ppm

• 1,4-Dioxane: ≤10 ppm

• Formaldehyde: ≤30 ppm

• Heavy metals: ≤10 ppm

• Conductivity and pH limits

Cosmetic Applications: PEGs are widely used in cosmetics as humectants (moisture retention), emollients (skin softening), carriers (active ingredient delivery), viscosity modifiers, and solubilizers. Common cosmetic products containing PEG include creams, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, makeup, and deodorants.

Biomedical Applications: PEG-based hydrogels are used for tissue engineering scaffolds, wound dressings, and drug delivery matrices. The biocompatibility and tunable properties (crosslinking density, degradation rate) make PEG an ideal material for these applications. Multi-arm PEGs (4-arm, 8-arm) are often used to form hydrogels with controlled properties.

Important Disclaimer: This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only. For complete safety, handling, storage, and regulatory compliance information, always refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier. Select the appropriate PEG grade based on molecular weight requirements for your specific application. Store in a dry environment and keep containers tightly sealed due to hygroscopic nature. Clean spills immediately due to slipping hazard.