DESCRIPTION

Polyethylene Glycols are addition polymers of ethylene oxide and water, ranging in molecular weight from about 200 to about 9500. Commercially available Polyethylene Glycols are usually designated by a number that roughly corresponds to the nominal molecular weight. Polyethylene Glycols having a nominal molecular weight of 600 or below occur as clear to slightly hazy, colorless or practically colorless, viscous, slightly hygroscopic liquids that are miscible with water. Polyethylene Glycols having a nominal molecular weight of 1000 or above are freely soluble in water and occur as creamy white, waxy solids or as flakes resembling paraffin. The Polyethylene Glycols are soluble in many organic solvents, including aliphatic ketones and alcohols, chloroform, glycol ethers, esters, and aromatic hydrocarbons; they are insoluble in ether and in most aliphatic hydrocarbons. As their molecular weight increases, water solubility, vapor pressure, hygroscopicity, and solubility in organic solvents decrease, while solidification point, specific gravity, flash point, and viscosity increase. They may contain a suitable antioxidant.