Synonym(s)
.alpha.-9-(Z)-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy (20 mol EO average molar ratio); CAS number: 9004-98-2; PEG-20 oleyl ether; polyethylene (20) oleyol ether; poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Oleth(s)" are the polyoxyethylene ethers of oleyl alcohol, an unsaturated monohydric alcohol with the linear formula: CH3(CH2)7CH= CH(CH2)7CH2OH (for comparison see: laurethe as polyoxyethylene ether of lauryl alcohol; stearethe as polyoxyethylene ether of stearyl alcohol, etc.). In the term "oleth", the numbering shown below indicates the average number of ethylene oxide units per mole. For example, for oleth-20 this is 20 ethylene oxide units per mole.
Oleth-20 is used in cosmetic formulations. The polyoxyethylene ether acts as an emulsifier (changes the interfacial tension of liquids like water and oil so that they can be mixed together) and surfactant (washing-active substance).
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer