The Emulsifying Properties of Polyethyleneglycol Ethers of Cetostearyl Alcohol

Abstract

Summary A preliminary survey of the pharmaceutical uses of a series of polyethyleneglycol ethers of cetostearyl alcohol has been made. When used alone, the lower members of the series (2 or 4 ethylene oxide units) are more effective than the higher members in emulsifying both liquid paraffin and arachis oil. In combination with cetostearyl alcohol, the ethers produce satisfactory non-ionic emulsifying waxes and the variation in emulsifying power is then less marked. Non-ionic emulsifying waxes prepared from the members containing 6 or 10 ethylene oxide units were equally effective in emulsifying 70 per cent, of liquid paraffin or arachis oil. 5 The compatibility of a non-ionic emulsifying ointment containing cetomacrogol 1000 with a range of dermatological medicaments has been determined. 6 Evidence has been produced to suggest the formation of addition compounds between phenolic substances and the ethylene oxide derivatives. 7 A water-soluble ointment base suitable for chloramphenicol is suggested.