Description

PEG-14M is chemical compound, a polyethylene glycol. 

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• PEG is an acronym for Polyethylene Glycol, a polymer of the monomer ethylene glycol. 
• 14M indicates the average molecular mass of the polymer, which is about 14,000 Daltons.

The synthesis process takes place in different steps:

• Reaction of ethylene with oxygen to form ethylene oxide. 
• The ethylene oxide is then polymerized in the presence of an alkaline catalyst to form PEG. This is a high-pressure and temperature process. The length of the polymer chain (and thus the molecular mass) can be controlled by varying the reaction conditions.

It appears in the form of a white, water-soluble powder.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

It is used as a foam stabiliser and, in liquid soaps, shampoos and others, generally included in the formula as a surfactant as it reacts with fatty acids and produces surfactants with various properties.

Binder agent. Ingredient that is used in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical products as an anti-caking agent with the function of making the product in which it is incorporated silky, compact and homogenous. The binder, either natural such as mucilage, gums and starches or chemical, may be in the form of a powder or liquid.

Emulsion stabiliser. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable. Emulsion stabilisers improve the formation and stability of single and double emulsions. as well as their shelf-life. It should be noted that in the structure-function relationship, the molar mass of the ingredient used plays an important role.

Viscosity control agent. It controls and adapts, Increasing or decreasing, viscosity to the required level for optimal chemical and physical stability of the product and dosage in gels, suspensions, emulsions, solutions. 

The most relevant studies on this chemical compound have been selected with a summary of their contents:

PEG4000 studies

• Molecular Formula: C₄H₁₀O₃ or (CH₂CH₂OH)₂O
• Molecular Weight: 106.12
• CAS  25322-68-3   111-46-6
• EC Number  500-038-2
• UNII 61BR964293
• EC Number: 203-872-2     414-280-0
• DSSTox Substance ID: DTXSID8020462
• Beilstein number 969209
• PubChem Substance ID

Synonyms:

• PEG4000
• Diethylene glycol
• 2,2′-Oxydiethanol
• 2-Hydroxyethyl ether
• Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ether
• 1,5-Dihydroxy-3-oxapentane

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And a premise on PEG.

Since the PEG (1) family is numerous and is found in many cosmetic, cleaning and medicinal products and others, we need a cognitive premise on the subject that is rather complex from the point of view of safety because these products not only come into contact with the skin but, as in the case of medicine, they are also ingested.

PEG or polyethylene glycols polymerise the condensed ethylene oxide and water and are called polyethylene glycols, but in reality, they are complex chemical components, polymers bound together. For example,  plastic is polyethylene and has a hard consistency, while  polyethylene aggregated to the glycol forms a liquid.

The number that appears after the initials PEG represents the molecular weight and the higher this number is, the less it penetrates  the skin. 

Here below are some studies in Medicine that refer to the use of PEG Polyethylene glycol in various fields.

Intestine

Polyethylene glycol with or without electrolytes is effective for the treatment of functional constipation, both in adults and in paediatric patients, with great safety and tolerability. These preparations are the most effective osmotic laxatives (more than lactulose) and are the first-line treatment for functional constipation in the short- and long-term. They are as effective as enemas in faecalomas, avoid the need for hospitalisation and are well tolerated by patients (especially when given without electrolytes) (2).

In the preparation  for colonoscopy,  polyethylene glycol tablets confirmed efficacy, acceptability, tolerance and safety similar to those of sodium phosphate (3).

For peripheral nerve repair (4).

Eyes

Dry eye syndrome is a disorder that affects 5-34% of the world's adult population with reduced quality of life. Artificial or lubricating tears are the most used therapy for treating this condition due to their low side effects profile, which attempt to modify the properties of the tear film. Polyethylene glycol has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of this condition (5).

Brain

Polyethylene glycol facilitates the neuroprotective effects of magnesium in head injuries (6).

Tumors

For transarterial chemoembolization, Polyethylene glycol is effective and safe for the treatment of liver cancer, as indicated by good tolerability, quality of life and high tumour response (7). 

Cosmetics

Many types of PEG are hydrophilic and are used as creams, topical dermatological preparations and in cosmetic products such as surfactants, emulsifiers, detergents, humectants and skin conditioners.

Safety varies from type to type given the structural complexity (8).