PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE - ≥98% , CAS No.68201-46-7

CAS: 68201-46-7 Cat. No.: P304369 EC Number: 614-376-4

GRADE & PURITY ≥98%

Storage

Room temperature

Shipped In

Normal

Specifications

Specifications & Purity

≥98%

Storage

Room temperature

Shipped In

Normal

Purity

≥98%

Application Protocols

No item-specific, validated protocols are provided in the Product Data. For research use, the following generic starting points (literature-based) may be adapted:

• Solubilization of hydrophobic analytes: Prepare a 10% (w/v) stock of PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate in water or buffer. Add to the sample to achieve 0.05–0.5% final surfactant, mix until clear. Adjust with 5–20% ethanol or propylene glycol if needed for clarity.
• O/W microemulsion screening: Mix oil:surfactant:co-surfactant (e.g., 1:3:1 by weight) and titrate with water under stirring until transparent. Map clear regions for your oil system.
• Aqueous micellar reaction medium: Dissolve 2 wt% surfactant in deionized water, add substrates and base/catalyst as required, stir vigorously at 25–50 °C. After completion, salt out and extract.
• Protein-friendly wash buffer: Add 0.02% (w/v) surfactant to PBS or TBS; validate that binding/activity is not adversely affected.

These are general templates only. Optimize concentration, temperature, and co-solvent content for your specific system. Always verify compatibility with sensitive biomolecules, catalysts, or analytical methods before scale-up.

Biological Roles

PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate is not a discrete biological metabolite; it is an engineered, nonionic surfactant composed of polyethylene glycol chains and coconut-derived fatty acyl glycerides. Any biological considerations below are general/literature-based and intended for research context only.

• Membrane interactions: Nonionic surfactants insert hydrophobic tails into lipid bilayers while exposing hydrophilic PEG chains to water. At sufficient concentrations they can solubilize or permeabilize membranes, which is exploited in cell lysis and protein extraction protocols (literature).
• Protein interactions: PEG segments can reduce nonspecific adsorption to surfaces and modulate protein aggregation by steric stabilization. However, surfactant–protein interactions are protein-specific; effects on activity or structure should be empirically determined.
• Enzymatic compatibility: Many enzymes tolerate low levels (e.g., 0.01–0.1% w/v) of mild nonionic surfactants that mitigate sticking and improve substrate delivery. Higher levels may inhibit activity or denature sensitive enzymes (literature/general observation).
• Biodegradation: Fatty ester linkages are susceptible to hydrolysis, and fatty chains are biodegradable; PEG backbones are generally water-soluble and can be excreted or further degraded depending on environmental context (literature overview). Actual fate depends on formulation and conditions.
• Cytotoxicity/biocompatibility: Nonionic PEG-based surfactants are often considered of low acute toxicity in vitro, but cytotoxic thresholds vary widely by cell type and exposure time. For any cell-based research use, perform range-finding tests to establish non-perturbing concentrations.

Note: No medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic use is intended. For research use only (as per Product Data).

Buffer Applications

PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate can be deployed as a mild, nonionic surfactant additive in biochemical buffers to enhance solubility and reduce nonspecific adsorption.

Typical research uses (literature/general):

• Protein and enzyme buffers: Add 0.01–0.1% (w/v) to minimize surface adsorption to plastics/glass and to aid solubilization of hydrophobic ligands or membrane fragments. Evaluate activity retention, as optimal levels are protein-specific.
• Immunoassay and washing buffers: Similar to polysorbates, low levels can reduce background by limiting hydrophobic sticking; titrate to avoid interference with antigen–antibody interactions.
• Membrane protein extraction: At higher concentrations (e.g., 0.1–1% w/v), can assist in solubilizing lipid-associated proteins; optimization with co-surfactants or cholate derivatives may be required.
• Nucleic acid workflows: Generally compatible at low levels; excessive surfactant can inhibit polymerases or affect spectrophotometric readings—validate in your assay.

Practical guidance:

• Prepare a concentrated surfactant stock (e.g., 10% w/v in water) for accurate dosing; warm gently to reduce viscosity when pipetting.
• Monitor for cloud point phenomena in high-salt buffers or at elevated temperatures; clarity may change with ionic strength.
• Analytical interference: Nonionic surfactants can affect BCA/Bradford assays and MS ionization; include surfactant-matched blanks/standards.

Item-specific buffer suitability and impurity limits are not specified; consult the CoA/SDS if low-peroxide or low-residuals are required for sensitive biomolecules.

Green Alternatives

Context: PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate already supports greener practices by enabling water-rich formulations and micellar media, reducing reliance on volatile organic solvents in some workflows. However, alternative surfactants may offer advantages in renewability, biodegradability, or regulatory acceptance depending on application.

Comparison (literature/general):

• PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate: Amphiphilic nonionic; coconut-derived fatty chain (renewable) with petro-derived EO units. Good solubilizer; moderate foaming; widely available. Biodegradability generally favorable but depends on EO content and mixture profile.
• Alkyl polyglucosides (APGs): Fully nonionic, sugar-derived headgroup and fatty alcohol tail; high renewable content; excellent biodegradability; often higher foam; different cloud point behavior; can be more sensitive to electrolytes.
• Sucrose esters: Renewable; food-grade options; good safety profile; may require co-surfactants due to limited solubility and narrower HLB coverage.
• Polysorbates (Tween 20/80): Strong solubilizers with established biopharma usage; however, can be prone to oxidative degradation and peroxides; not always preferred for long-term stability.
• Designer green surfactants (e.g., TPGS-750-M for micellar catalysis): Excellent performance in aqueous organic synthesis; cost and availability may be limiting outside research settings.

Trade-offs:

• Renewability vs. performance: APGs and sucrose esters offer improved renewability but may require formulation tuning to match clarity/low-foam profiles.
• Oxidative stability: PEG glycerides can be more stable than polysorbates but still benefit from antioxidant management and low-peroxide handling.

Selection guidance: Choose the surfactant based on required HLB, foam profile, electrolyte tolerance, regulatory context, and analytical background. Conduct head-to-head screening at equal active levels.

Pharmaceutical Uses

This product is supplied for research use only. The following notes describe general excipient roles of PEGylated glyceride surfactants in pharmaceutical development (literature) and are not item-specific claims.

• Function classes: Nonionic solubilizer, emulsifier (O/W), wetting agent, and dispersant. Useful for enhancing the apparent solubility of lipophilic APIs in aqueous media and for stabilizing emulsions/suspensions.
• Dosage-form contexts: Frequently explored in topical gels/creams/lotions, liquid orals, ophthalmic-like model systems (with appropriate grade), and as a component of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS/SMEDDS) in pre-formulation studies.
• Compatibility: Generally compatible with many common co-solvents (glycerol, propylene glycol, ethanol) and co-surfactants (polysorbates, APGs, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil). Electrolytes and pH can influence clarity and cloud point.
• Processing: Liquid form eases cold processing; can be pre-mixed with oils then post-diluted with water to form microemulsions or clear solubilizates depending on ratios.
• Analytical considerations: Nonionic surfactants can adsorb to filters and vessels; account for potential API losses during sample prep. Surfactants may elute late in HPLC; thorough column cleaning may be required.

Regulatory and compendial status: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. When excipient status is required, verify compliance (e.g., residual ethylene oxide/1,4-dioxane, heavy metals, peroxide value) and obtain pharmacopeial or supplier qualification documents as appropriate.

Physical Properties

Item-specific numerical specifications are not provided in the Product Data; consult the CoA/Spec Sheet for test-method-based values.

General/literature characteristics for PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate (mixture):

• Physical state: Typically a clear to slightly hazy, viscous liquid at ambient temperature (literature).
• Odor: Mild/fatty characteristic (literature).
• Solubility: Readily soluble or dispersible in water; also miscible with lower alcohols and glycols; effective as a solubilizer for hydrophobic oils/fragrances (literature). Forms micelles and clear solutions at appropriate concentrations.
• HLB: Mid-range, commonly reported around the low‑to‑mid teens for PEG-7 glycerides; exact value depends on fatty-acid distribution (literature). This places it in the “solubilizer/HLB-balanced emulsifier” class for O/W systems.
• Cloud point: May exhibit a cloud point in aqueous solutions depending on salt and co-solvent content (literature). Exact value is formulation-dependent.
• Density, refractive index, viscosity: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. Typical nonionic surfactants of this class show moderate viscosity and RI slightly above that of water (literature, qualitative).
• pKa/logP: Not applicable as a nonionizable, nonionic surfactant mixture; apparent partitioning is governed by micellization rather than a single logP value (literature).
• Thermal behavior: Does not have a sharp melting or boiling point due to compositional distribution; may soften/flow more readily on gentle warming (literature).

Note: Because this is a multi-component mixture, measured properties can vary with lot and test method. Use lot-specific documents for precise data.

Quality & Grades

• Grade/Purity: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Interpretation and context (general, for this class of materials):

• Grade conventions: PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate is commonly available in cosmetic/personal-care grade, industrial grade, and occasionally higher-purity research grades. Cosmetic or personal-care grades often emphasize low odor/color and narrow impurity profiles (e.g., residual ethylene oxide/1,4-dioxane controls per supplier specifications). Research-grade materials emphasize lot-to-lot reproducibility for experimental work.
• Purity in mixtures: For nonionic surfactants that are intentional mixtures, “purity” usually refers to the main actives content and limits on specific residuals (e.g., free PEG, free fatty acids, water, peroxide value, color). Exact numeric limits are supplier- and lot-specific and are not specified for this item.
• Stabilizers/antioxidants: Some suppliers add antioxidants (e.g., BHT) to improve color stability; absence/presence and levels are not specified for this item and should be confirmed on the CoA/SDS if critical to your application.
• UV and chromatographic background: For analytical uses (e.g., as a surfactant in HPLC mobile phases or sample prep), low UV absorbance and minimal background are desirable; verify with CoA/Spec Sheet as this is not specified here.

Quality recommendations:

• For formulation research, request lot-specific analytics (acid value, saponification value, hydroxyl value, color, odor, water content) if they impact your process.
• If biocompatibility or extractables are critical, seek documentation on residual ethylene oxide/1,4-dioxane and heavy metals for your lot.

Reaction & Applications

While best known as a formulation aid, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate can be useful in synthesis and analytical workflows due to its amphiphilicity and PEG backbone.

Representative research applications (literature/general):

• Aqueous micellar catalysis: Nonionic surfactants enable organic reactions in water (e.g., cross-couplings, nucleophilic substitutions) by solubilizing substrates in micelles. Although designer surfactants like TPGS-750-M are common, PEG-7 glycerides can serve as accessible alternatives for screening.
• Phase-transfer-like effects: Enhances contact between hydrophobic substrates and aqueous-phase reagents/bases, potentially improving rates/yields for some reactions conducted in biphasic systems.
• Nanomaterials: PEG-based surfactants can act as steric stabilizers for nanoparticle synthesis (e.g., metal colloids) and as dispersants for carbon nanomaterials.
• Sample preparation: Useful to solubilize lipophilic analytes into aqueous media for spectroscopic or enzymatic assays; can reduce nonspecific adsorption on plastic/glass.
• Cleaning and decontamination: Effective in lab glassware detergents and membrane/protein cleanup protocols where a mild, nonionic surfactant is preferred.

Practical notes:

• For micellar reactions, start with 1–3 wt% surfactant in water and adjust as needed (literature, general guidance). Co-solvents (EtOH, i-PrOH) may help with clarity or substrate uptake.
• Surfactants can interact with catalysts or enzymes; perform small-scale trials to evaluate activity and selectivity impacts.
• For analytical measurements (UV, MS), verify background/blank contributions; rinse thoroughly when used in LC/GC sample prep to avoid carryover.

All conditions should be optimized empirically for the target transformation.

Reaction Conditions

No item-specific reaction conditions are provided. The following are general, literature-based guidelines for using nonionic surfactants like PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate in aqueous/micellar chemistry and related workflows. Actual conditions must be optimized for each transformation.

• Micellar concentration: Begin with 1–3 wt% surfactant in water. Increase to 5–10 wt% for challenging substrates or to approach microemulsion regimes. Verify clarity at the intended temperature and salt content.
• Temperature: Many micellar reactions proceed at ambient temperature to 60 °C. Cloud point behavior may limit upper temperatures; add co-solvent (e.g., 5–20% EtOH or i-PrOH) to raise the cloud point if needed.
• Catalysts/bases: Use water-tolerant catalysts (e.g., Pd on carbon, ligand-modified Pd complexes, Cu catalysts) and inorganic bases (K2CO3, Na2CO3) that operate in water. Surfactant can modulate catalyst dispersion; pre-mixing catalyst with surfactant solution is often beneficial.
• Time/yields: Reaction times can be comparable to organic solvents; in some instances, micelles accelerate rates. Expect to optimize equivalents and agitation intensity; vigorous stirring improves interfacial mass transfer.
• Workup: Extract product into an immiscible solvent (e.g., EtOAc, MTBE) after salting-out with NaCl, or adsorb onto silica/resin and elute with organic solvent. Multiple small extractions can more effectively remove products from micellar media.
• Additives: Small amounts of organic co-solvent (5–20%) can increase substrate solubilization without losing the benefits of aqueous media.

Analytical control: Monitor by TLC (with careful plate washing), HPLC/GC. Include blanks to account for surfactant background, which can tail on HPLC columns.

Safety & Handling

Hazard classification for this specific item is not provided in the Product Data. Always review the lot-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before use.

General safety guidance for nonionic PEGylated glyceride surfactants (literature/industry practice):

• Likely hazards: Low acute toxicity but may cause eye and skin irritation. Inhalation of mists/aerosols can irritate the respiratory tract. Avoid ingestion and prolonged skin contact.
• GHS/Signal word/Pictograms: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
• PPE: Wear lab coat, safety glasses or chemical splash goggles, and appropriate chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile). Use in a well-ventilated area; avoid generating aerosols.
• First aid (general):
  • Eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; continue rinsing and seek medical advice if irritation persists.
  • Skin: Wash with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing; seek medical attention if irritation develops.
  • Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
  • Ingestion: Rinse mouth; do not induce vomiting; seek medical advice.
• Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers may degrade organic components; avoid excessive heat that can promote oxidation or hydrolysis of ester linkages.
• Handling/storage notes: Hygroscopic tendencies are possible for PEG-containing materials; keep containers tightly closed to minimize water uptake and contamination. Wipe threads and reseal promptly after dispensing. Clean spills with absorbent; surfactants can be slippery.
• Environmental: Surfactants can affect wastewater foaming and aquatic organisms at sufficient concentrations; prevent uncontrolled release to drains.

Definitive safety and regulatory details must come from the SDS for the supplied lot.

Solvent Selection

PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate functions primarily as a nonionic surfactant and solubilizer rather than as a traditional organic solvent.

• Polarity class: Amphiphilic. The PEG segment provides hydrophilicity, while the fatty acyl chain imparts lipophilicity. It promotes solubilization of hydrophobic substances into aqueous media by micelle formation.
• Miscibility profile (literature):
  • Water: Soluble/dispersible; forms clear micellar solutions above its critical micelle concentration (CMC).
  • Alcohols/glycols: Typically miscible; useful as co-solvents to adjust clarity/cloud point.
  • Hydrocarbons/silicones: Aids in dispersing oils into water; often combined with co-surfactants.
• Use scenarios:
  • As a primary or co-surfactant in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions, transparent solubilized systems, and cleansing solutions.
  • As a solubilizer for fragrances, essential oils, and hydrophobic actives into aqueous buffers for analytical or biochemical workflows.
• Choosing vs. alternatives:
  • Compared with higher-EO PEG glycerides (e.g., PEG-20 derivatives), PEG-7 types offer stronger oil solubilization with less foam but may require co-solvents for crystal clarity.
  • Compared with polysorbates (Tween 20/80), PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate often exhibits milder foaming and different temperature/cloud point behavior; polysorbates may provide stronger protein stabilization but can be more prone to peroxidation.

Practical tips:

• Pre-dilute the surfactant with a small portion of water or alcohol before adding oils to avoid localized phase separation.
• Adjust ionic strength and temperature to fine-tune clarity and viscosity; electrolytes can depress the cloud point.

Storage & Reconstitution

• Storage conditions (from Product Data): Room temperature. Keep container tightly closed when not in use.
• Shipped in (from Product Data): Normal conditions.
• Reconstitution: Not applicable; supplied as a ready-to-use liquid surfactant (typical for this class). If the material becomes more viscous or partially solid at lower temperatures, warm gently (e.g., 30–40 °C water bath) and mix to restore homogeneity.
• Handling notes:
  • Hygroscopic potential: PEG-containing materials can absorb moisture; minimize headspace exposure and reseal promptly.
  • Clean dispensing: Use dry, dedicated spatulas/pipettes; wipe container threads to prevent crystallized residues.
  • Homogeneity: Mix or roll the container before use to ensure uniform distribution of the component homologs.
• Stability: Item-specific stability testing and shelf life are not specified; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. In general, protect from excessive heat and prolonged light exposure to limit oxidation or hydrolysis of ester linkages.
• Freeze–thaw: Not required. If frozen during transport/storage, allow to reach ambient temperature and mix to re-homogenize; repeated freeze–thaw cycles are not recommended.
• Compatibility: Store away from strong oxidizers. Avoid contamination with acids/bases that could catalyze hydrolysis over time.

For critical applications (e.g., sensitive bioconjugation or low-peroxide requirements), verify lot-specific peroxide value, water content, and any stabilizer presence on the CoA/Spec Sheet.

Structure & Identity

PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate (CAS 68201-46-7) is a nonionic surfactant that is a technical mixture rather than a single defined molecule.

• SKU: P304369
• CAS: 68201-46-7
• Chemical class: Ethoxylated glyceride (PEGylated glycerol esters of coconut fatty acids)
• Composition (general, literature): Mixture of mono- and diglycerides of predominantly lauric-rich coconut fatty acids that are partially ethoxylated with an average of ~7 oxyethylene (–CH2CH2O–) units per glyceride.
• Molecular formula: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Molecular weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet. (Note: mixture exhibits a distribution of MW)
• SMILES: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• InChIKey: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Structural features (descriptive):

• Hydrophilic segment: Poly(ethylene glycol) chain(s) averaging ~7 EO units, providing hydrogen-bond acceptors and water solubility.
• Lipophilic segment: C12–C18 fatty acyl chains (coconut-derived; lauric, myristic, palmitic, etc.).
• Linkage: Ester bonds between fatty acids and glycerol; PEG chains attached via ether bonds to glycerol (ethoxylation at glycerol hydroxyls).
• 2D description: A glycerol backbone bearing one or two fatty acyl esters and one or two poly(ethylene oxide) chains; overall amphiphilic, nonionic, with no formal charge centers and no aromatic rings. As a commercial material it contains a homolog distribution (polydispersity in EO units and fatty-chain lengths).

Identity notes:

• Surfactant synonyms in literature: PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate; polyethylene glycol-7 glyceryl cocoate; ethoxylated glycerol cocoate. Often supplied for cosmetic/formulation R&D applications.

Synthetic Utility

As an amphiphilic, nonionic surfactant, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate offers several utilities to the synthetic chemist (literature/general):

• Micellar media for organic reactions: Enables partial or complete replacement of organic solvents with water for transformations involving hydrophobic substrates. Reported classes that benefit from nonionic micelles include cross-couplings (Suzuki–Miyaura, Sonogashira), nucleophilic substitutions, oxidations, and reductions under appropriate catalysts.
• Phase-transfer enhancement: In biphasic systems (aqueous/organic), can increase mass transfer and interfacial area, improving reaction rates without using quaternary ammonium salts.
• Catalyst and nanoparticle stabilization: PEG chains provide steric stabilization for colloidal metal catalysts (e.g., Pd, Au) formed in situ, reducing aggregation and maintaining activity.
• Workup benefits: Surfactant-rich water can keep hydrophobic by-products solubilized, simplifying separations; conversely, salting-out can separate the surfactant phase when desired.
• Solid handling: Improves wetting of powders and heterogeneous reagents, potentially reducing induction periods or improving dispersion.

Considerations:

• Surfactant–catalyst interactions can be beneficial or inhibitory; screen concentrations and add co-solvents (EtOH, i-PrOH) as needed.
• Product isolation may require extraction or adsorption onto resins, followed by washing to remove residual surfactant.
• Residuals: Confirm that trace surfactant does not interfere with downstream steps or analytics; include dedicated wash steps if necessary.

These utilities complement, rather than replace, established designer surfactants; PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate is a practical, widely available option for exploration.

Target Specificity

Not applicable. This product is a nonionic surfactant mixture, not a biological targeting reagent (e.g., antibody, ligand, or inhibitor). No antigen/epitope, clone, isotype, or species reactivity information applies.