Meroxapol(s)

Meroxapol refers to a series of so-called block copolymers (copolymers are polymers composed of two different monomer units) from the group of alkoxylates. Meroxapol(s) have the general formula: OH-[CH (CH3)2O]n-[CH2-CH2-O]m-[CH2CH(3)-O]n-H.

Meroxapol thus consists of a core with (m) polyethylene glycol (PEG) units. This molecular core is flanked by 2n polypropylene glycol units (PPG) (see figure) with two terminal hydroxy groups. This produces a so-called symmetrical block copolymer of the general type (PPG)n-(PEG)m-(PPG)n. Each meroxapol block copolymer is provided with a number. This corresponds to the average number of monomer units. In the case of Meroxapol 105, these are 105 monomers. These polymer blends are generally used in cosmetic formulations as emulsifiers and surfactants.