Is Polysorbate 20 one discrete molecule with a fixed molecular weight?

No. Polysorbate 20 is a mixture of ethoxylated partial fatty-acid esters, predominantly laurate, with different esterification and chain-length distributions. The (20) in polyoxyethylene (20) refers to an average of approximately 20 oxyethylene units. C58H114O26 is a nominal representative formula, not a fixed formula or molecular weight for the commercial material.

Is every product described as Tween 20 or Polysorbate 20 automatically interchangeable?

No. Tween 20 is a trade-name reference, and generic naming does not establish identical composition, compendial status or performance. Grade comparisons consider the fatty-acid profile, acid, hydroxyl and saponification values, water and oxidative-quality requirements. A proposed change is evaluated for clarity, emulsification or solubilization and stability in the intended formulation; the CAS number or HLB alone does not establish equivalence.

Which Polysorbate 20 grade is needed for pharmaceutical or food use?

The quotation can be matched to the intended application, destination and required standard. For pharmaceutical use, the dosage form and route determine the relevant compendial, impurity and microbial requirements. For food use, the food category and permitted conditions of use apply. Polysorbate 20 is not automatically suitable for every regulated application or injectable formulation.

Polysorbate 20 CAS 9005-64-5

Polysorbate 20 (CAS 9005-64-5), also called polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, is a nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer for oil-in-water formulations. It is a mixture of ethoxylated partial fatty-acid esters, predominantly laurate, with approximately 20 oxyethylene units on average. Fatty-acid composition, water content and oxidative quality are important when selecting a grade. “Tween 20” is a trade-name reference.

CAS: 9005-64-5
Synonyms: Polysorbate 20; polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate; Tween 20 (trade-name reference)
Molecular Formula: Mixture of ethoxylated sorbitol/sorbitan partial fatty-acid esters, predominantly laurate, with about 20 oxyethylene units on average. C58H114O26 is a nominal representative monolaurate formula; the commercial material has no single fixed molecular formula or molecular weight.
Grade: Application grade and analytical requirements, including fatty-acid profile and oxidative-quality limits, specified in the quotation.
Package: Drums or bulk, with container type, liner and net weight agreed for the order.
EC Identification: Grade-specific EC identification is stated in the supplied SDS.

Request a quote

Share:

Product Description

Polysorbate 20 CAS 9005-64-5: nonionic emulsifier and solubilizer for oil-in-water formulations. Request a bulk quotation; COA, TDS and SDS can be provided.

1 Technical Specifications

2 Applications and Grade Selection

3 Storage

4 Safety and Quotation Information

Technical Specifications

Property	Grade Information
CAS Number	9005-64-5
EC Identification	Grade-specific EC identification is stated in the supplied SDS.
Composition	Mixture of ethoxylated sorbitol/sorbitan partial fatty-acid esters, predominantly laurate, with about 20 oxyethylene units on average. C58H114O26 is a nominal representative monolaurate formula; the commercial material has no single fixed molecular formula or molecular weight.
Typical Physical Form	Yellowish, viscous liquid; soluble in water. Appearance and viscosity depend on grade, concentration and temperature.
Typical HLB Reference	About 16.7 as a formulation reference, not a batch acceptance limit or a guarantee of emulsion performance.
Analytical Profile	Acid, hydroxyl and saponification values in mg KOH/g, using the applicable methods.
Water Content	Karl Fischer determination where specified; reported as mass percent (% w/w).
Oxidative Quality	Peroxide value in meq O2/kg and any additional oxidation limits specified for the application.
Grade / Specification	Application grade and analytical requirements, including fatty-acid profile and oxidative-quality limits, specified in the quotation.
Packaging	Drums or bulk, with container type, liner and net weight agreed for the order.

Fatty-acid profiling uses a suitable GC or LC method after the required sample preparation. HPLC with CAD, ELSD or MS can characterize ester and ethoxylated-component distributions. Relative chromatographic response describes a composition profile; it is not the total mass purity of a single compound. Residual ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane can be measured by an applicable headspace GC method and reported in ppm (mg/kg). Analytical information includes the method, calibration and result basis relevant to the agreed grade.

We can provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA), Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and relevant quality-test information for the quoted grade.

Applications and Grade Selection

Polysorbate 20 is used as an emulsifier, solubilizer and wetting aid in suitable personal-care and industrial formulations. Selection depends on the oil phase or active ingredient, surfactant concentration, pH, electrolytes and processing temperature. Clarity, emulsion stability and oxidation sensitivity are evaluated in the complete formulation.

Pharmaceutical applications require the relevant excipient grade and compendial requirements; impurity and microbial controls depend on the intended dosage form and route. Food applications require the appropriate additive grade and the permitted conditions of use for the destination and food category. Generic product identity alone does not establish suitability for every regulated use.

For comparison within the polysorbate family, Polysorbate 80 has a predominantly oleate-based fatty-acid profile, while Polysorbate 60 is predominantly based on stearate and palmitate. Both differ from laurate-rich Polysorbate 20.

Other nonionic formulation options include Polyoxyl 35 Castor Oil, a castor-oil ethoxylate, and Poloxamer 188 (F68), an EO/PO block copolymer. These products have different composition and formulation behavior; none is an automatic one-for-one replacement.

Storage

Store in tightly closed, compatible containers in a cool, dry area, protected from light, excessive heat and contamination. Conditioning and handling follow the supplied grade’s TDS and SDS. Protecting the material during storage and transfer helps limit oxidative deterioration.

Safety and Quotation Information

The supplied-grade SDS covers personal protection, exposure controls, spill response, transport and disposal. For a quotation, send the required quantity, application and destination, together with any essential grade or analytical requirements.

FAQ - Technical & Supply Chain

Q:
Is Polysorbate 20 one discrete molecule with a fixed molecular weight?

A: No. Polysorbate 20 is a mixture of ethoxylated partial fatty-acid esters, predominantly laurate, with different esterification and chain-length distributions. The (20) in polyoxyethylene (20) refers to an average of approximately 20 oxyethylene units. C58H114O26 is a nominal representative formula, not a fixed formula or molecular weight for the commercial material.
Q:
Is every product described as Tween 20 or Polysorbate 20 automatically interchangeable?

A: No. Tween 20 is a trade-name reference, and generic naming does not establish identical composition, compendial status or performance. Grade comparisons consider the fatty-acid profile, acid, hydroxyl and saponification values, water and oxidative-quality requirements. A proposed change is evaluated for clarity, emulsification or solubilization and stability in the intended formulation; the CAS number or HLB alone does not establish equivalence.
Q:
Which Polysorbate 20 grade is needed for pharmaceutical or food use?

A: The quotation can be matched to the intended application, destination and required standard. For pharmaceutical use, the dosage form and route determine the relevant compendial, impurity and microbial requirements. For food use, the food category and permitted conditions of use apply. Polysorbate 20 is not automatically suitable for every regulated application or injectable formulation.

Ordering & Documentation

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

Documents

Tell us which documents your procurement team needs. Before an order, we will check whether the quoted source can provide them for the offered lot.

Quotation

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

Sample & Supply

Ask whether samples, trial quantities or repeat orders are possible. We will check each request against the sourced product and current offer.

Storage & Shipping

Product-specific conditions are confirmed before order.

Current Language

Change Language