The Difference Between Polyethylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol

Although the difference between polyethylene glycol and ethylene glycol is only one word, there is a big gap between their properties and applications. Welinks specializes in the production of PTMEG (Polytetramethylene Ether Glycol) in China.

1. Polyethylene glycol

Chemical structure: HO(CH2CH2O)nH, polymerized from ethylene oxide.
Polyethylene glycol-properties and uses
Polyethylene glycol is non-toxic, non-irritating, has good water solubility, and has good compatibility with many organic components. They have excellent lubricity, moisture retention, dispersibility, adhesives, antistatic agents and softeners, etc., and are used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chemical fibers, rubber, plastics, paper, paint, electroplating, pesticides, metal processing and food processing, etc. There are extremely wide applications in the industry.

2. Ethylene glycol

Ethylene glycol, also known as “glycol”, “1,2-ethylene glycol”, abbreviated as EG. The chemical formula is (HOCH2)₂, which is the simplest diol. Ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting liquid, and it is toxic to animals. The human lethal dose is estimated to be 1.6 g/kg. Ethylene glycol can be miscible with water and acetone, but it is less soluble in ethers. Used as a solvent, antifreeze and raw material for synthetic polyester. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a high polymer of ethylene glycol, is a phase transfer catalyst and is also used for cell fusion; its nitrate ester is an explosive.