Names | |
---|---|
IUPAC name
Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate
| |
Other names
| |
Identifiers | |
ChemSpider |
|
ECHA InfoCard | 100.105.528 |
E number | E432 (thickeners, ...) |
RTECS number |
|
UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
|
|
Properties | |
C58H114O26 | |
Molar mass | 1226 g/mol |
Appearance | Clear, yellow to yellow-green viscous liquid. |
Density | 1.1 g/mL (approximate) |
Boiling point | > 100 °C (212 °F; 373 K) |
Surface tension: | |
8.04×10−5 M at 21 °C[1] | |
16.7[1] | |
Hazards | |
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards
|
Irritant |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
Flash point | 110 °C (230 °F; 383 K) |
Safety data sheet (SDS) | External MSDS |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
|
Polysorbate 20 (common commercial brand names include Kolliphor PS 20,[2] Scattics, Alkest TW 20, Tween 20, and Kotilen-20) is a polysorbate-type nonionic surfactant formed by the ethoxylation of sorbitan monolaurate. Its stability and relative nontoxicity allows it to be used as a detergent and emulsifier in a number of domestic, scientific, and pharmacological applications. As the name implies, the ethoxylation process leaves the molecule with 20 repeat units of polyethylene glycol; in practice these are distributed across 4 different chains, leading to a commercial product containing a range of chemical species.[3]