Chemistry:PEG Chemical Structure

This article will introduce PEG chemical structure, PEG synthesis, and PEG properties. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a compound composed of repeated ethylene glycol units [-(CH2CH2O)n], is also known as Macrogols. PEG and PEG derivatives have the characteristics of non-irritation, good water solubility, good compatibility, etc. . At the same time, they possess excellent lubricity, moisture retention and dispersibility so that they can be used as adhesives, antistatic agents and softeners, and widely applied in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chemical fibers, rubber, plastics, paper, paint, electroplating, pesticides, metal processing and food processing industries. Synthesis of PEG Polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be synthesized via anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide and any hydroxyl initiators. Hydroxyl group could be from water or ethylene glycol or any diols. They can also be derived from epoxyethane by ring-opening polymerization. Usually, the polymerization process produces a family of PEG molecules with wide Gaussian's distribution of molecular weights. PEG bears only two functional groups limiting the scope for further derivatization with other residues or targeting ligands. Therefore, commercial PEGs are available with different degrees of polymerization and activated functional groups. PEG Properties PEG earns its fame because of its high structure flexibility, biocompatibility, amphiphilicity, devoid of any steric hindrances, and high hydration capacity. PEG is soluble in water, ethanol and many other organic solvents, like DMF, dichloromethane, toluene, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, etc. . It shows little toxicity and can be eliminated from the body intact by either the kidneys (for PEGs < 30 kDa) or in the faeces (for PEGs > 20 kDa). Other than that, PEG is also non-irritating and stable to heat, acid and alkali, thus it can be widely used in various pharmaceutical applications. PEG series products have different properties depending on the different molecular weights (Mw). From the perspective of appearance, PEG with Mw of 200-700 are normally liquid at room temperature, and those with Mw > 700 will gradually change from semi-solid to soft solids (Mw between 1000~2000), and finally to hard crystalline solids (Mw > 2000). On the other hand, as the Mw increases, the water solubility, vapor pressure, water absorption, and solubility in organic solvents of PEG will correspondingly decrease, while the freezing point, relative density, flash point and viscosity will increase accordingly. The following table briefly lists several properties of PEG products with different Mw.