Polypropylene Glycol Monododecyl Ether: Composition, Physical Properties, and Commercial Detail

What is Polypropylene Glycol Monododecyl Ether?

Polypropylene glycol monododecyl ether stands out in the lineup of nonionic surfactants. At the core, this compound comes together through the reaction of polypropylene glycol and dodecyl alcohol. Each molecule carries a single long dodecyl (C12) chain attached to a polypropylene glycol backbone, creating a balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts that delivers real performance in chemical blending and application. Whether the market calls it PPG monododecyl ether or by its commercial synonym, the chemical earns its place in industries from detergents and emulsifiers to specialized coatings thanks to this balanced profile.

Products and Common Forms

You’ll find polypropylene glycol monododecyl ether available in several physical formats. Solid flakes appear bright and waxy at room temperature. Powdered or crystalline types flow freely and dissolve with ease in both water and organic solvents. Liquid grades offer flexibility, often coming in clear or slightly hazy forms, and suit direct mixing or solution preparation without the need for heating. Pearls—those small, bead-like lumps—are designed for measured dispensing in batch processes. High-purity solutions combine consistency with convenience, allowing folks in laboratories or production settings to skip the initial weighing and jump straight to blending.

Chemical Structure and Molecular Details

Every molecule of polypropylene glycol monododecyl ether bows to its roots in propylene oxide polymerization—where blocks of polypropylene glycol cap with a single dodecyl group. The chemical formula most often appears as C₁₂H₂₅(OCH₂CH(CH₃)O)_nH. This “n” value, or the degree of polymerization, tells you how many polypropylene glycol units link together, guiding the ultimate physical form (solid, powder, or liquid) you hold in your hand. Molecular weights shift depending on the number of repeating units, so specifications should always spell out the average “n” or total weight for technical buyers.

Material Properties: Density, Appearance, and Solubility

The density of polypropylene glycol monododecyl ether typically sits between 0.95 and 1.08 g/cm³, shifting a bit depending on molecular size and temperature. At room temperature, solids feel waxy, powders fall somewhere between soft and granular, and liquid forms pour without much stickiness. Solubility leans on the block balance—lower “n” products blend best in organic phases or oils, while higher “n” versions welcome water or alcohol, making them comfortable additions for emulsifying and dispersing duties. Each batch carries a mild, benign odor—no acrid chemical notes or distracting scents that would disrupt sensitive applications like personal care.

Standard Specifications and Usage Context

Spec sheets tell the real story for polypropylene glycol monododecyl ether. You’ll want to see the active content—usually 98% or better for solids, slightly less for liquids pre-diluted with solvents. Visit the viscosity figures: the higher the molecular weight, the thicker the liquid you’ll handle. Melting points for solids begin just above room temperature—20°C to 35°C—making storage and transport straightforward in any climate-controlled space. Water content, ash, and residual alcohols all stay near trace levels. You might see colored index or acid values, signaling low impurity loads and chemical stability. The best suppliers back this up with repeatable batch testing.

HS Code and Trade Classification

Customs clearance and international trade hinge on the correct Harmonized System (HS) code. For polypropylene glycol monododecyl ether, the correct designation generally appears as HS Code 3402.13: non-ionic organic surface-active agents. Every ton moving across borders relies on this accurate listing for compliance, tariffs, and regulations. Since chemical rules evolve, double-checking the latest revisions with your customs broker staves off shipment headaches or customs flags.

Safety, Handling, and Regulatory Status

Safety data indicates that polypropylene glycol monododecyl ether carries a low-to-moderate profile for health hazards under normal handling. Skin and eye irritation only appear with concentrated contact or direct splashing. Respiratory symptoms may occur if fine powder dust escapes into the air and gets inhaled—common-sense personal protective equipment (safety glasses, gloves, dust mask in open systems) forms the backbone of a safe shop or factory. This compound, outside of rare allergies, doesn’t accumulate or linger in the body and breaks down readily in most waste-treatment streams. Its chemical stability avoids unpleasant surprises during storage—keep it dry, tightly sealed, and away from strong oxidizers for trouble-free periods up to a year or more. Chemical inventories should file this material under non-hazardous for the bulk of jurisdictions, though specific environmental discharge or wash-water protocols vary from state to state and country to country.

Raw Material Sourcing and Sustainability Notes

The backbone raw materials for polypropylene glycol monododecyl ether—propylene oxide and dodecanol—come from petrochemical processes. Refiners have tuned these feedstocks down to high-purity grades, cutting off-path byproducts and environmental burden compared to generations past. Circular economy approaches stretch further each year, and several mainline producers now synthesize dodecanol from bio-based lauric acid, trimming overall carbon impact along the surfactant supply chain. Raw material cost matters, since price swings in global energy or natural fats shift the bottom line for merchants and end-users. Big buyers track spot rates for both raw ingredients, matching purchase contracts to production plans to avoid unpleasant price hikes on their own customers.

Role in Industry and Specific Application Value

Polypropylene glycol monododecyl ether finds action wherever reliable solubility and mild chemical interaction power essential performance—detergents, cleaning agents, personal care, paints, textile auxiliaries, and even some specialty lubricants. Each application values its unique surface-and-bulk balance, tuning solutions that foam little, rinse clean, and resist build-up over time. Its chemical properties dodge precipitation and crusting, so finished products keep their clarity and stay easy to apply. The non-ionic nature broadens compatibility in mixed systems, particularly where ionic agents might spoil stability or spark costly recalls.

Potential Hazards and Responsible Use

The big ticket for any specialty chemical: responsible stewardship. Polypropylene glycol monododecyl ether rarely jumps to “hazardous” status, though runoff into waterways prompts prudent waste-treatment protocols. High loads in effluent or accidental spills into rivers can disrupt aquatic foaming dynamics, putting local ecosystems under stress. Plant operators adopt in-line discharge controls, quick clean-up gear, and secondary containment whenever bulk storage gets involved. Manufacturers and users sign on to industry codes, sharing safety and use data with customers, regulators, and local communities—part trust, part risk management, all reputation.

Summary Table: Key Characteristics