TPGS Properties
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF TPGS
| Antares vitamin E TPGS is the polyethylene glycol 1000 ester of d-α-tocopheryl succinate. It is chemically stable to heat, oxygen and light. It is unstable to alkali. |
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| Chemical Structure |  |
| Chemical Name | d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate |
| Empirical Formula | C33O5H54(CH2 CH2O)n |
| Synonyms & Acronyms | Vitamin E TPGS or TPGS Tocophersolan (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients – INCI and United States Adopted Names -USAN) |
| CAS Number | 9002-96-4 (Chemical Abstracts Service registration number) |
| Molecular Weight | 1513 (approx) |
| d-α-tocopherol | 25% minimum weight basis; range 25-30% |
| Acid Value | 1.5 (maximum) |
| Reactivity | Reacts with alkali, very low reactivity with air |
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TPGS
| Antares vitamin E TPGS is a white to light tan water-soluble waxy solid with low melting point. | |
| Physical form | Waxy solid |
| Color | White to light tan (as solid) |
| Gardner Color | Less than 10 (generally less than 5) |
| Specific Gravity | 1.06 at 45°C, approximate |
| Melting Point | 38°C (approximate), range 37-41°C |
| Solubility In Water | Miscible In All Parts |
| Specific Rotation [α] | Not less than +24 |
AMPHIPHILIC (SURFACE-ACTIVE) PROPERTIES
| Vitamin E TPGS has amphiphilic properties with each molecule consisting of polar hydrophilic (polyethylene glycol) and non-polar lipophilic (phytyl chain of d-α-tocopherol) moieties. | |
| HLB (Hydrophile & Lipophile Balance) | 13 (approximate) |
| CMC (Critical Micelle Concentration) | 0.02 weight % |
| Particle Size | Reported particle size diameter ranged from less than 1 and up to several microns for stable liquid emulsions |