Is Polysorbate 60 a single pure molecule with a fixed molecular formula?

No. Polysorbate 60 is an ethoxylated sorbitan-stearate reaction mixture. The CAS identifies the material class, not one molecule. Compare saponification value, hydroxyl value, acid value, water, physical form, and formulation performance against the offered specification and applicable grade requirements.

Does CAS 9005-67-8 by itself establish food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic suitability?

No. The CAS confirms chemical identity only. Required purity limits, monograph compliance, permitted use, manufacturing controls and documentation depend on the grade and destination market. Specify the application and requested standard, then review the grade-specific specification, COA, TDS and SDS.

Polysorbate 60 (Tween 60) CAS 9005-67-8

Polysorbate 60 (CAS 9005-67-8), also called Tween 60 or Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monostearate, is a nonionic surfactant used as a hydrophilic emulsifier, dispersing aid and solubilizing component. Commercial material is a mixture of ethoxylated sorbitan fatty-acid esters. Acid, saponification and hydroxyl values, water content and physical form help characterize the product; performance depends on the intended formulation. A Certificate of Analysis (COA), Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be provided to support specification selection and safe handling.

CAS: 9005-67-8
Synonyms: Polysorbate 60, Tween 60, Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monostearate, PEG-20 Sorbitan Stearate, POE(20) Sorbitan Monostearate
Molecular Formula: Variable polyoxyethylene sorbitan stearate composition
Grade: Specified by ester composition, acid, saponification and hydroxyl values, water, physical form and emulsification performance; see the current TDS and COA.
Package: Drum or bulk packaging and net weight are specified in the quotation for the required quantity and destination.
EC / List No.: 500-020-4

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Product Description

1 Identity and physicochemical profile

2 Applications and grade selection

3 Quality data and analytical methods

4 Storage and handling

5 Quotation and handling information

Identity and physicochemical profile

Item	Technical guidance
Product identity	Polysorbate 60 (Tween 60); polyoxyethylene sorbitan stearate
CAS / EC	9005-67-8 / 500-020-4
Composition	Mixture of partial stearate and associated palmitate esters of sorbitol and its anhydrides, with approximately 20 EO units in total on average per sorbitol-derived unit; no single fixed molecular formula
Typical physical form	Yellowish viscous liquid, semi-gel or waxy/soft solid, depending on grade, temperature and thermal history
Key quality controls	Acid, saponification and hydroxyl values, water content, appearance, colour and formulation performance, as specified for the quoted grade

Applications and grade selection

Polysorbate 60 is a hydrophilic nonionic emulsifier for oil-in-water formulations, with co-emulsifying, wetting and solubilizing uses. The oil phase, co-emulsifier balance, electrolytes, pH and processing temperature guide selection. Compare emulsion stability, viscosity and temperature cycling when changing grades.

Sorbitan Monostearate (Span 60) is the non-ethoxylated, more lipophilic stearate counterpart and can complement Tween 60 in a mixed emulsifier system. Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) provides an oleate-based comparison, while Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) provides a laurate-based comparison. Sorbitan Monooleate (Span 80) is a more oil-affine, non-ethoxylated oleate option. These differences guide formulation trials; a similar name or HLB does not establish direct interchangeability.

Grade selection for food, pharmaceutical and personal-care applications follows the intended use, requested standard and destination market. The applicable specification and documentation distinguish these grades from a general industrial grade.

Quality data and analytical methods

Acid, saponification and hydroxyl values are reported in mg KOH/g using the method named in the specification. Karl Fischer titration measures water as a mass percentage, while IR identification supports the ester identity. These results help compare the supplied grade without treating this reaction mixture as one pure molecule.

For grades requiring residual ethylene oxide or 1,4-dioxane control, headspace GC quantifies the individual residues in mg/kg using calibration appropriate to the product matrix. The relevant limits and test method belong to the requested grade specification.

Where fatty-acid composition is part of the specification, GC-FID analysis after hydrolysis and fatty-acid methyl ester preparation characterizes the relative stearic and palmitic fractions. Results describe the fatty-acid portion; they are not a whole-product purity percentage. Relevant test reports, method information and chromatograms can be provided for the quoted grade.

Storage and handling

Keep packaging closed in a dry, ventilated area. Storage temperature, warming, mixing and sampling instructions follow the quoted grade’s TDS; these conditions matter when the material thickens or becomes waxy.

Quotation and handling information

For a quotation, send the application or reference grade, required quantity and destination. Packaging and net weight are specified in the quotation. The SDS covers handling precautions, incompatible materials, spill response and transport information for the supplied grade.

FAQ - Technical & Supply Chain

Q:
Is Polysorbate 60 a single pure molecule with a fixed molecular formula?

A: No. Polysorbate 60 is an ethoxylated sorbitan-stearate reaction mixture. The CAS identifies the material class, not one molecule. Compare saponification value, hydroxyl value, acid value, water, physical form, and formulation performance against the offered specification and applicable grade requirements.
Q:
Does CAS 9005-67-8 by itself establish food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic suitability?

A: No. The CAS confirms chemical identity only. Required purity limits, monograph compliance, permitted use, manufacturing controls and documentation depend on the grade and destination market. Specify the application and requested standard, then review the grade-specific specification, COA, TDS and SDS.

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