C12-15 Pareth-4 is a chemical compound, alkyl polyethylene glycol (PEG (Polyethylene glycol)) ether mixture of synthetic C12-15 fatty alcohol ethoxylated (4 mol).

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• C12-15 indicates the carbon chain length of the fatty alcohols from which the compound is derived. "C12-15" means that the fatty alcohols have a carbon chain ranging from 12 to 15 atoms.
• Pareth-4 refers to a polyethylene glycol (PEG) ethoxylated derivative of these fatty alcohols. The number "4" indicates the average number of ethylene oxide units added during the ethoxylation process.

Raw Materials and Their Functions

C12-15 Fatty Alcohols. A mixture of long-chain fatty alcohols used as the base for the production of C12-15 Pareth-4. They provide the lipid structure of the compound.

Ethylene Oxide. Used to ethoxylate the fatty alcohols, imparting surfactant properties to the compound.

Industrial Chemical Synthesis of C12-15 Pareth-4

• Ethoxylation: reaction of C12-15 fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide. During this reaction, ethoxylated bonds are formed between the fatty alcohols and ethylene oxide, producing C12-15 Pareth-4.
• Reaction Control. The ethoxylation reaction is monitored to ensure it occurs correctly and the final product has the desired properties.
• Purification. After the reaction, C12-15 Pareth-4 is purified to remove impurities and by-products.
• Quality Control. The purified C12-15 Pareth-4 undergoes quality checks to ensure it meets the required standards. After quality control, it is packaged for use in cosmetic and personal care products, where it utilizes its properties as a nonionic surfactant.

Form and Color

C12-15 Pareth-4 is typically a liquid. This compound is usually colorless or very light in color.

What it is used for and where

It is used as a surfactant and emulsifying agent in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products, such as shampoos, shower gels, lotions, and creams. C12-15 Pareth-4 is known for its ability to help form and stabilize emulsions, improving the distribution and absorption of products on the skin and hair.

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.

CAS: 68131-39-5

Safety.

The term 'eth' (in Pareth) 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.