How does Laureth-4 differ from higher-EO Laureth grades?

Laureth-4 has a lower nominal ethoxylation level and generally greater oil affinity than higher-EO grades. Compare hydroxyl value, dispersibility, emulsification, foam and finished-system stability instead of substituting by CAS number alone.

Is Laureth-4 one pure molecule containing exactly four EO units?

No. It is a lauryl-alcohol ethoxylate distribution centered near a nominal EO level. Commercial quality should be defined through alcohol cut, hydroxyl value, water, appearance and performance rather than molecular purity.

When is a lower-EO Laureth grade considered in formulation?

It may be evaluated where greater oil-phase compatibility, co-emulsification or low-foam wetting is needed. Selection depends on oil phase, required HLB, dosage, temperature and the rest of the emulsifier system.

How should physical form and dispersibility be assessed?

Inspect at the agreed temperature, then test melting or charging, oil solubility, water dispersibility, mixing order and finished-system stability. Lower-EO grades may change viscosity or appearance with temperature and formulation composition.

What must a lower-EO Laureth sourcing request specify?

Provide Laureth-4 or the approved reference grade, alcohol feedstock, hydroxyl and water limits, physical form, application, quantity, destination and package. Confirm nominal EO and performance criteria before sample approval.

Laureth-4 (Ethoxylated Lauryl Alcohol) CAS 68439-50-9

Laureth-4 is a lower-EO nonionic surfactant based on C12-C14 fatty alcohols with a nominal average of about four ethylene oxide units. It is identified by CAS No. 68439-50-9 and EC No. 500-213-3 . Laureth-4 is a homolog distribution rather than one pure molecule and should not be confused with AEO-3B or Laureth-7 grades. It is commonly evaluated as an oil-affine emulsifier, co-emulsifier and wetting component. Buyers should match nominal EO, hydroxyl value, water, physical form and application performance before substitution. AEO-7 is a related C12-C14 ethoxylate with a higher nominal EO level; evaluate it against the actual specification.

CAS: 68439-50-9
Synonyms: Laureth-4, Ethoxylated Lauryl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylate 4EO, Nonionic Surfactant
Einecs: 500-213-3
Molecular Formula: RO-(CH₂CH₂O)ₙ-H (nominal n ≈ 4)
Grade: Confirm the nominal EO or PO level, feedstock range, active matter, water, physical form and relevant analytical values against the current TDS and COA.
Package: State required quantity, physical form and destination; confirm the current bag or container, liner, net weight, temperature handling and transport requirements before quotation.

Request a quote

Share:

Product Description

1 Physicochemical profile

2 Application and grade selection

3 Storage and handling

4 Safety and supply documentation

Physicochemical profile

Item	Technical guidance
Product identity	Laureth-4, an ethoxylated C12-C14 fatty alcohol grade with nominal average near 4 EO units
CAS / EC	68439-50-9 / 500-213-3
Composition	Nonionic homolog distribution rather than one pure molecule
Nominal formula	RO-(CH₂CH₂O)ₙ-H, with nominal n near 4
Typical physical form	Liquid, paste or soft wax depending on composition and temperature
Key quality controls	Nominal EO, hydroxyl value, water, appearance, physical form and supplier-defined emulsification performance

Application and grade selection

Laureth-4 is a lower-EO, relatively oil-affine nonionic surfactant used as an emulsifier, co-emulsifier and wetting component. It must not be presented as MOA-3B, AEO-3B or another EO grade without analytical and supplier evidence.

Emulsion trials should examine oil-phase compatibility, droplet stability, viscosity and temperature cycling.
Industrial cleaning or textile use requires testing of wetting, detergency, foam and compatibility with the complete surfactant package.
Personal-care use requires an appropriately documented grade and finished-formulation safety assessment.

For related fatty-alcohol ethoxylate grades, see AEO-7 and AEO-9 / MOA-9.

Storage and handling

Store sealed in a dry, ventilated area away from excessive heat and direct sunlight. Changes in temperature can alter physical form without establishing product failure; follow the current TDS for conditioning, mixing and sampling.

Safety and supply documentation

Use the exact-grade SDS for personal protection, incompatibilities, transport and disposal. Do not rely on unsupported claims of resistance to oxidizers, sub-zero stability or a universal two-year shelf life.

A sourcing request should identify Laureth-4, nominal EO or reference specification, intended use, package, quantity, destination and required COA, TDS and SDS.

FAQ - Technical & Supply Chain

Q:
How does Laureth-4 differ from higher-EO Laureth grades?

A: Laureth-4 has a lower nominal ethoxylation level and generally greater oil affinity than higher-EO grades. Compare hydroxyl value, dispersibility, emulsification, foam and finished-system stability instead of substituting by CAS number alone.
Q:
Is Laureth-4 one pure molecule containing exactly four EO units?

A: No. It is a lauryl-alcohol ethoxylate distribution centered near a nominal EO level. Commercial quality should be defined through alcohol cut, hydroxyl value, water, appearance and performance rather than molecular purity.
Q:
When is a lower-EO Laureth grade considered in formulation?

A: It may be evaluated where greater oil-phase compatibility, co-emulsification or low-foam wetting is needed. Selection depends on oil phase, required HLB, dosage, temperature and the rest of the emulsifier system.
Q:
How should physical form and dispersibility be assessed?

A: Inspect at the agreed temperature, then test melting or charging, oil solubility, water dispersibility, mixing order and finished-system stability. Lower-EO grades may change viscosity or appearance with temperature and formulation composition.
Q:
What must a lower-EO Laureth sourcing request specify?

A: Provide Laureth-4 or the approved reference grade, alcohol feedstock, hydroxyl and water limits, physical form, application, quantity, destination and package. Confirm nominal EO and performance criteria before sample approval.

Ordering & Documentation

Key information for document requests, quotations, and supply planning.

Documents

COA, TDS, SDS/MSDS and packing details are available on request.

Quotation

Send the CAS number, grade, quantity, packing preference and destination.

Sample & Supply

Support is available for samples, trial orders, bulk and repeat supply.

Storage & Shipping

Product-specific conditions are confirmed before order.

Current Language

Change Language