Cetoleth-30 is a chemical compound, 30 mol partially unsaturated alkyl polyethylene glycol (PEG (Polyethylene glycol)) ether omega-9 unsaturated 18 carbon chains with a variable polyethylene glycol (PEG (Polyethylene glycol)) ether of C16 and C18 alcohol, ethoxylated. 6 mol.
The name describes the structure of the molecule:
- Ceto- comes from "cetyl," referring to cetyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol.
- -leth comes from "eth," indicating the presence of ethoxylated groups.
- -30 suggests that there are roughly 30 units of ethylene oxide added per molecule.
Description of raw materials used in production.
- Cetyl alcohol - A fatty alcohol that serves as the starting base.
- Ethylene oxide - A compound used to ethoxylate cetyl alcohol, enhancing its water solubility and its ability to act as an emulsifier.
Synthesis process -
- Ethoxylation: Cetyl alcohol is reacted with ethylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst. This process introduces ethoxylated groups to cetyl alcohol.
- Purification: After ethoxylation, the product is purified to remove impurities and yield the desired Cetoleth-30.
What it is used for and where
Cosmetics
Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable. Emulsifiers have the property to reduce the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improve emulsion stability and also directly influence the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating their filmometric performance.
Surfactant - Cleansing agent. Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities.
Safety.
The term 'eth' refers to the ethoxylation reaction with ethylene oxide after which residues of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, chemical compounds considered carcinogenic, may remain. The degree of safety therefore depends on the degree of purity of the compound obtained. At present, no manufacturer is known to provide this information on the label.
CAS: 8065-81-4
