Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) are polymers composed of repeating subunits of identical structure, called monomers, and are the most commercially important polyethers. Poly (ethylene glycol) or poly (ethylene oxide) refers to an oligomer or polymer of ethylene oxide. The two names are chemically synonymous, but historically PEG has tended to refer to shorter polymers, PEO to longer.^[1] PEG and PEO are liquids or low-melting solids, depending on their molecular weights. Both are prepared by polymerization of ethylene oxide. While PEG and PEO with different molecular weights find use in different applications and have different physical properties (e.g. viscosity) due to chain length effects, their chemical properties are nearly identical. Derivatives of PEG and PEO are in common use, the most common derivative being the methyl ether (methoxypoly (ethylene glycol)), abbreviated mPEG. Chemical structure of polyethylene glycol selfmade by cacycle File links The following pages link to this file: Ether Polyethylene glycol Categories: GFDL images ... IUPAC nomenclature is a system of naming chemical compounds and of describing the science of chemistry in general. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The molecular mass (abbreviated Mr) of a substance, formerly also called molecular weight and abbreviated as MW, is the mass of one molecule of that substance, relative to the unified atomic mass unit u (equal to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12). ... CAS registry numbers are unique numerical identifiers for chemical compounds, polymers, biological sequences, mixtures and alloys. ... In physics, density is mass m per unit volume V. For the common case of a homogeneous substance, it is expressed as: where, in SI units: ρ (rho) is the density of the substance, measured in kg·m-3 m is the mass of the substance, measured in kg V is... The melting point of a crystalline solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ... The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it can change its state from a liquid to a gas throughout the bulk of the liquid at a given pressure. ... The flash point of a flammable liquid is the lowest temperature at which it can form an ignitable mixture with air. ... The simplified molecular input line entry specification or SMILES is a specification for unambiguously describing the structure of chemical molecules using short ASCII strings. ... A polymer is a substance composed of molecules with large molecular mass composed of repeating structural units, or monomers, connected by covalent chemical bonds. ... In chemistry, a monomer (from Greek mono one and meros part) is a small molecule that may become chemically bonded to other monomers to form a polymer. ... Ether is the general name for a class of chemical compounds which contain an ether group — an oxygen atom connected to two (substituted) alkyl groups. ... In chemistry, an oligomer consists of a finite number of monomer units (oligo is Greek for a few), in contrast to a polymer which, at least in principle, consists of an infinite number of monomers. ... The molecular mass of a substance (less accurately called molecular weight and abbreviated as MW) is the mass of one molecule of that substance, relative to the unified atomic mass unit u (equal to 1/12 the mass of one atom of carbon-12). ... The chemical compound ethylene oxide is an important industrial chemical used as an intermediate in the production of ethylene glycol and other chemicals, and as a sterilant for foodstuffs and medical supplies. ... Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of a fluid to deform under shear stress. ...

Their melting points vary depending on the Formula Weight of the polymer. PEG or PEO has the following structure:

HO-(CH₂-CH₂-O)_n-H

The numbers that are often included in the names of PEGs and PEOs indicate their average molecular weights, e.g. a PEG with n=80 would have an average molecular weight of approximately 3500 Daltons and would be labeled PEG 3500. Most PEGs and PEOs include molecules with a distribution of molecular weights, i.e. they are polydisperse. The size distribution can be characterized statistically by its weight average molecular weight (Mw) and its number average molecular weight (Mn), the ratio of which is called the polydispersity index (Mw/Mn). Mw and Mn can be measured by mass spectroscopy. The weight average molecular weight is a way of describing the molecular weight of a polymer. ... The number average molecular weight is a way of determining the molecular weight of a polymer. ... In organic chemistry, the polydispersity index (PDI), is a measure of the distribution of molecular weights in a given polymer sample. ... Mass spectrometry is a technique for separating ions by their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios. ...

PEGylation is the act of covalently coupling a PEG structure to another larger molecule, for example, a therapeutic protein (which is then referred to as PEGylated). PEGylated interferon alfa-2a or -2b is a commonly used injectable treatment for Hepatitis C infection. // In 1970s, pioneering research by Davis, Abuchowski and colleagues foresaw the potential of the conjugation of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) to Proteins. ... In science, a molecule is a group of atoms in a definite arrangement held together by chemical bonds. ... Pegylated interferon alfa-2a (40kD) (commercial name PEGASYS) is an antiviral drug discovered at the pharmaceutical company F.Hoffmann-La Roche; it has a dual mode of action - both antiviral and on the immune system. ... Hepatitis C is a blood-borne, infectious, viral disease that is caused by a hepatotropic virus called Hepatitis C virus (HCV). ...

PEG is soluble in water, methanol, benzene, dichloromethane and is insoluble in diethyl ether^{[citation needed]} and hexane. It is coupled to hydrophobic molecules to produce non-ionic surfactants. Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, carbinol, wood alcohol, wood naptha or wood spirits, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3OH. It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colourless, flammable, poisonous liquid with a distinctive odor that is somewhat milder and sweeter than ethanol (ethyl alcohol). ... Benzene, also known as benzol, is an organic chemical compound with the formula C6H6. ... Dichloromethane or Methylene chloride is a chemical compound widely used as a solvent for organic materials. ... This article is about the chemical compound. ... the 3rd ingredient in big mac ... Surfactants are wetting agents that lower the surface tension of a liquid, allowing easier spreading, and lower the interfacial tension between two liquids. ...

Production

Poly (ethylene glycol) is produced by interaction of calculated amount of ethylene oxide with water, ethylene glycol or ethylene glycol oligomers.[2] The reaction is catalyzed by acidic or basic catalysts. Ethylene glycol and its oligomers are preferable as a starting material than water, because it allows the creation of polymers with narrow molecular weight distribution (low polydispersity). Polymer chain length depends on the ratio of reactants. The chemical compound ethylene oxide is an important industrial chemical used as an intermediate in the production of ethylene glycol and other chemicals, and as a sterilant for foodstuffs and medical supplies. ... Ethylene glycol (monoethylene glycol (MEG), IUPAC name: ethane-1,2-diol) is an alcohol with two -OH groups (a diol), a chemical compound widely used as an automotive antifreeze. ...

HOCH₂CH₂OH + n(CH₂CH₂O) → HO(CH₂CH₂O)_n+1H

Depending on the catalyst type the mechanism of polymerization can be cationic or anionic. Anionic mechanism is more preferable because it allows one to obtain PEG with low polydispersity. Polymerization (polycondensation) of ethylene oxide is an exothermic process. Contamination of ethylene oxide with catalysts such as alkalis or metal oxides or overheating can lead to runaway polymerization which can end with an explosion after few hours. The polydispersity index, or PDI, is the ratio of the weight average molecular weight to the number average molecular weight. ... An example of alkene polymerisation, in which each Styrene monomer units double bond reforms as a single bond with another styrene monomer and forms polystyrene. ...

Polyethylene oxide or high-molecular polyethylene glycol is synthesized by suspension polymerization. It is necessary to hold the growing polymer chain in solution in the course of the polycondensation process. The reaction is catalyzed by magnesium-, aluminium- or calcium- organoelement compounds. To prevent coagulation of polymer chains from solution, chelating additives such as dimethylglyoxime are used. Suspension polymerization (Also known as pearl polymerization, bead polymerization and granular polymerization) is a polymerization process that uses mechanical agitation to mix the monomer (a simple molecule that can combine with other molocule to form a polymer) or mixture of monomers in a liquid phase such as water, polymerzing the... Coagulation is a complex process by which blood forms solid clots. ... This page is a candidate to be copied to Wiktionary. ...

Alkali catalysts such as sodium hydroxide NaOH, potassium hydroxide KOH or sodium carbonate Na₂CO₃ are used to prepare low-molecular polyethylene glycol. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye or caustic soda or sodium hydrate, is a caustic metallic base. ... The chemical compound potassium hydroxide, (KOH) sometimes known as caustic potash, potassa, potash lye, and potassium hydrate, is a metallic base. ... Sodium carbonate (also known as washing soda or soda ash), Na2CO3, is a sodium salt of carbonic acid. ...

Clinical uses

Poly (ethylene glycol) is non-toxic and is used in a variety of products. It is the basis of a number of laxatives (e.g. macrogol-containing products such as Movicol® and polyethylene glycol 3350, or MiraLax® or GlycoLax). It is the basis of many skin creams, as cetomacrogol, and sexual lubricants, frequently combined with glycerin. Whole bowel irrigation (polyethylene glycol with added electrolytes) is used for bowel preparation before surgery or colonoscopy and drug overdoses. It is sold under the brand names GoLYTELY, GlycoLax, Fortrans and Colyte. When attached to various protein medications, poly (ethylene glycol) allows a slowed clearance of the carried protein from the blood. This makes for a longer acting medicinal effect and reduces toxicity, and it allows longer dosing intervals. Examples include PEG-interferon alpha which is used to treat hepatitis C and PEG-filgrastim (Neulasta®) which is used to treat neutropenia. It has been shown that poly (ethylene glycol) can improve healing of spinal injuries in dogs [3]. One of the earlier findings that poly (ethylene glycol) can aid in nerve repair came from the University of Texas (Krause and Bittner) [4]. Poly (ethylene glycol) is commonly used to fuse B-cells with myeloma cells in monoclonal antibody production. Laxatives are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements, most often taken to treat constipation. ... Emollients soften skin (and moisturisers add moisture). ... This article needs cleanup. ... Glycerin, also well known as glycerine and glycerol, and less commonly as 1,2,3-propanetriol, 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane, glyceritol, and glycyl alcohol is a colorless, odorless, hygroscopic, and sweet-tasting viscous liquid. ... Whole bowel irrigation (WBI) is a medical process involving the rapid administration of large volumes of an osmotically balanced polyethylene glycol solution (GoLYTELY®, CoLyte®), either orally or via a nasogastric tube, to flush out the entire gastrointestinal tract. ... A cardiothoracic surgeon performs a mitral valve replacement at the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center. ... Colonoscopy is the minimally invasive endoscopic examination of the large colon and the distal part of the small bowel with a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. ... It has been suggested that Blockbuster drug be merged into this article or section. ... // Toxic and Intoxicated redirect here – toxic has other uses, which can be found at Toxicity (disambiguation); for the state of being intoxicated by alcohol see Drunkenness. ... Interferons (IFNs) are natural proteins produced by the cells of the immune system of most vertebrates in response to challenges by foreign agents such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and tumor cells. ... Hepatitis C is a blood-borne, infectious, viral disease that is caused by a hepatotropic virus called Hepatitis C virus (HCV). ... Neupogen Logo Filgrastim is a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analog used to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of granulocytes. ... Neutropenia (or neutropaenia, adjective neutrop(a)enic) is a hematological disorder characterized by an abnormally low number of neutrophil granulocytes (a type of white blood cell). ... The vertebral column seen from the side Different regions (curvatures) of the vertebral column The vertebral column (backbone or spine) is a column of vertebrae situated in the dorsal aspect of the abdomen. ... Multiple myeloma (also known simply as myeloma or plasma cell myeloma) is a hematological malignancy of plasma cells, the cells of the immune system that produce antibodies. ... Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are antibodies that are identical because they were produced by one type of immune cell, all clones of a single parent cell. ...

Research for New Clinical Uses

• High-molecular weight PEG, e.g., PEG 8000, is a strikingly potent dietary preventive agent against colorectal cancer in animal models [5]. The Chemoprevention Database shows it is the most effective agent to suppress chemical carcinogenesis in rats. Cancer prevention in humans has not yet been tested in clinical trials.
• The injection of PEG 2000 into the bloodstream of guinea pigs after spinal cord injury leads to rapid recovery through molecular repair of nerve membranes. [6] The effect of this treatment to prevent paraplegia in humans after an accident is not known yet.
• Research is being done in the use of PEG to mask antigens on red blood cells. Various research institutes have reported that using PEG can mask antigens without damaging the functions and shape of the cell.

Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. ... Paraplegia is a condition in which the lower part of a persons body is paralyzed and cannot willfully function. ...

Other uses

PEG is used in a number of toothpastes as a dispersant; it binds water and helps keep gum uniform throughout the toothpaste. It is also under investigation for use in body armor [7] and tattoos to monitor diabetes[8]. Functional groups of PEG give polyurethane elastomers their "rubberiness", for applications such as foams (foam rubber) and fibers (spandex). Its backbone structure is analogous to that of silicone, another elastomer. Modern toothpaste gel Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used to clean and improve the aesthetic appearance and health of teeth. ... Xanthan gum (C35H49O29) is a natural gum polysaccharide used as a food additive and rheology modifier. ... ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the disease that features high blood sugar. ... In organic chemistry, functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules, that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. ... A polyurethane is any polymer consisting of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links. ... The term elastomer is often used interchangeably with the term rubber, and is preferred when referring to vulcanisates. ... Sea foam on the beach. ... Fiber or fibre[1] is a class of materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces, similar to lengths of thread. ... Example of spandex Spandex or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity (stretchability). ... Silicones (more accurately called polymerized siloxanes or polysiloxanes) are inorganic-organic polymers with the chemical formula [R2SiO]n, where R = organic groups such as methyl, ethyl, and phenyl. ...

Since PEG is a flexible, water-soluble polymer, it can be used to create very high osmotic pressures (tens of atmospheres). It also is unlikely to have specific interactions with biological chemicals. These properties make PEG one of the most useful molecules for applying osmotic pressure in biochemistry experiments, particularly when using the osmotic stress technique. [9] This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes and transformations in living organisms. ... The osmotic stress technique is a method for measuring the effect of water on biological molecules, particularly enzymes. ...

PEO (poly (ethylene oxide)) can serve as the separator and electrolyte solvent in lithium polymer cells. Its low diffusivity often requires high temperatures of operation, but its high viscosity even near its melting point allows very thin electrolyte layers. While crystallization of the polymer can degrade performance, many of the salts used to carry charge can also serve as a kinetic barrier to the formation of crystals. Such batteries carry greater energy for their weight than other lithium ion battery technologies. An electrolyte is a substance containing free ions that behaves as an electrically conductive medium. ... A solvent is a liquid that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution. ... Lithium ion polymer batteries, or more commonly lithium polymer batteries (Abbreviated Li-Poly or LiPo) are rechargeable batteries which have technologically evolved from lithium ion batteries. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The melting point of a crystalline solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ... Frost crystallization on a shrub. ... Lithium ion batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-Ion or Li-On) are a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in consumer electronics. ...

When working with Phenol in a laboratory situation, PEG 300 can be used on phenol skin burns to deactivate any residual phenol. Phenol, also known under an older name of carbolic acid, is a colourless crystalline solid with a typical sweet tarry odor. ...

Poly (ethylene glycol) is also commonly used as a polar stationary phase for gas chromatography, as well as a heat transfer fluid in electronic testers. Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC), or simply gas chromatography (GC) is a type of chromatography in which the mobile phase is a carrier gas, usually an inert gas such as helium or nitrogen, and the stationary phase is a microscopic layer of liquid on an inert solid support. ... A coolant, or heat transfer fluid, is a fluid which flows through a device in order to prevent its overheating, transferring the heat produced by the device to other devices that utilize or dissipate it. ...

PEG is included in many or all formulations of the soft drink Dr Pepper, purportedly as an anti-foaming agent. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

PEG has also been used to preserve objects which have been salvaged from underwater, as was the case with the warship Vasa in Stockholm. It replaces water in wooden objects to prevent them from shrinking when dried. [10] Regalskeppet Vasa (also Wasa) is a Swedish 64-gun ship of the line built for King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden of the House of Vasa, between 1626 and 1628. ...

PEG is often seen (as a side effect) in mass spectrometry experiments with characteristic fragmentation patterns [11].

In the field of microbiology, PEG precipitation is used to concentrate viruses. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

PEG is also used in lubricant eye drops.

In woodworking, PEG can be used to replace some of the water content in wood, which makes the wood dimensionally stable and prevents warping or shrinking of the wood. Artists can use woodworking to create delicate sculptures. ...

References

External links

• Links to external chemical sources
• polyethylene glycol - chemical product info: properties, production, applications.

See Also

• PEGylation