Polyethylene Glycol 4000 (PEG 4000)

Description

Why Should You Buy Polyethylene Glycol 4000 from ReAgent?

• We supply PEG 4000 in 25kg bags, with discounts available for bulk orders
• Full MSDS is also available to download from our website
• We offer many other options with our products, including customised labelling and specific pack sizes

How Is Polyethylene Glycol Made?

Polyethylene glycol is synthesised by the interaction between ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol oligomers, ethylene glycol or water. Most manufacturers prefer to use ethylene glycol or its oligomers instead of water to obtain polymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution, whereas water generates a wide range of polymer sizes thus producing a lower quality product. Within a certain range, it is possible to obtain specific polymer chain lengths, depending on the ratio of the reactants used:

_n(CH₂CH₂O) HOCH₂CH₂OH → HO(CH₂CH₂O)_{n 1}H

These reactions need to be catalysed by either acidic or alkaline catalysts, depending on the reagents used. Also, depending on the type of catalyst used, the polymerisation reactions are either cationic or anionic. Again to ensure a narrow distribution of polymer sizes, manufacturers opt for an anionic mechanism. In this case, catalysts used include sodium hydroxide (NaOH), sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) and potassium hydroxide (KOH).

Explosive Reaction!

This polymerisation reaction is extremely exothermic, and as such safety precautions need to be followed. One of the main risks is excessively high temperatures or contaminating ethylene oxide with catalysts (including alkalis or metal oxides). This steers the polymerisation reaction in the wrong direction and can end up in quite an explosive manner after a few hours if undetected.

Fast Delivery

All our products come with 100% quality guarantee and are usually shipped within 24 hours. We offer a wide range of products, used in many different types of industries, from pharmaceutical and automotive to food and power stations. Simply contact us for further information or free technical advice.