Ethylene Glycol Stearates

Basic Information

Name: Ethylene Glycol Stearates

CAS No: Ethylene glycol palmitostearate

Functional Categories

Emollient Emulsifying agent Stabilizing agent

1. Nonproprietary Names

BP: Ethylene Glycol Monopalmitostearate PhEur: Ethylene Glycol Monopalmitostearate USP-NF: Ethylene Glycol Stearates

2. Synonyms

Ethyleneglycoli monopalmitostearas.

3. Chemical Name & CAS Registry

Ethylene glycol palmitostearate

6. Applications

Ethylene glycol stearates are used as stabilizers for water-in-oil emulsions, although they have poor emulsifying properties. They have emollient properties and are also used as opacifying, thickening, and dispersing agents. In cosmetics, ethylene glycol stearates are used as a ‘fatty body’ for lipsticks, as pearling agents in opalescent and cream shampoos, and as additives for tanning lubricants.

7. Description

The USP32–NF27 and PhEur 6.0 describe ethylene glycol stearates as a mixture of ethylene glycol monoesters and diesters of stearic and palmitic acids, containing not less than 50% of monoesters produced from the condensation of ethylene glycol and stearic acid, of vegetable or animal origin. Ethylene glycol stearates occur as a white or almost white waxy solid.

8. Pharmacopeial Specifications

See Table I.

9. Typical Properties

Melting point 54–608C Solubility Soluble in acetone and hot ethanol (95%); practically insoluble in water

10. Stability & Storage

Ethylene glycol stearates should be stored in a cool, dark place, protected from light.

11. Incompatibilities

12. Method of Manufacture

Ethylene glycol stearates are produced from the condensation of ethylene glycol with stearic acid 50 of vegetable or animal origin

13. Safety

Ethylene glycol stearates are mainly used in cosmetics and topical pharmaceutical formulations, where they are generally regarded as relatively nontoxic and nonirritant materials.

14. Handling Precautions

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled.

15. Regulatory Status

Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in Europe.

16. Related Substances

Diethylene glycol monopalmitostearate; ethylene glycol monopalmitate; ethylene glycol monostearate; glyceryl monostearate; glyceryl palmitostearate. Diethylene glycol monopalmitostearate Synonyms Diethyleneglycoli monopalmitostearas; diethylene glycol palmitostearate. Description The PhEur 6.0 describes diethylene glycol monopalmitostearate as a mixture of diethylene glycol monoesters and diesters of stearic and palmitic acids. It contains not less than 45.0% of monoesters produced from the condensation of diethylene glycol and stearic acid 50 of vegetable or animal origin. Diethylene glycol monopalmitostearate occurs as a white or almost white waxy solid. Acid value 44.0 Iodine value 43.0 Melting point 43–508C Saponification value 150–170 Solubility Soluble in acetone and hot ethanol (95%); practically insoluble in water. Ethylene glycol monopalmitate CAS number [4219-49-2] Ethylene glycol monostearate Synonyms Ethylene glycol stearate; ethylene glycoli monostearas; ethyleni glycoli stearas; 2-hydroxyethyl ester stearic acid; Monestriol EN-A; Monthyle. CAS number [111-60-4] Empirical formula C20H40O3 Molecular weight 328.60 Description Occurs as pale yellow flakes. Melting point 57–638C Safety LD50 (mouse, IP): 0.20 g/kg(1)

17. Comments