polyoxyethylene

English

Polyethylene glycol, HO-CH₂-(CH₂-O-CH₂-)_n-CH₂-OH, a specific kind of polyoxyethylene.

Etymology

From poly- +‎ oxy- +‎ ethylene.

Noun

polyoxyethylene (plural polyoxyethylenes)

1. (chemistry) any polymer of ethylene glycol having a general formula HO-(CH₂CH₂O)_n-H; they are used in the manufacture of emulsifiers

Usage notes

• The degree of polymerization is sometimes indicated with a numerical suffix in brackets

See also

• polysorbate