Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanedyl), alpha-(nonylphenyl)-omega-hydroxy- (CAS 9016-45-9) — Woody N/A Note Fragrance Ingredient

Woody · Citrus

Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanedyl), alpha-(nonylphenyl)-omega-hydroxy-

CAS 9016-45-9

Origin
synthetic
Note
N/A
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanedyl), alpha-(nonylphenyl)-omega-hydroxy-?

Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanedyl), alpha-(nonylphenyl)-omega-hydroxy- is a synthetic surfactant commonly found in cleaning products and industrial formulations. It helps stabilize mixtures of oil and water. While not typically used in fine fragrances, it appears in some functional products where emulsification is needed alongside scent delivery.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Approved for cosmetic use
Avoid direct skin contact in concentrated form
CAS
9016-45-9
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Woody · Citrus
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanedyl), alpha-(nonylphenyl)-omega-hydroxy- Smell Like?

This surfactant has minimal odor impact at typical usage levels, presenting as nearly odorless with faint waxy undertones. In concentrated form, it may exhibit a subtle plastic-like character reminiscent of polyethylene packaging. Its olfactory contribution is primarily functional rather than aromatic, serving as a neutral base for fragrance delivery systems.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Nonylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol

SMILES: [H]OCCO*.CCCCCCCCCC1=CC=CC=C1 |c:16,18,t:14,lp:1:2,4:2,m:5:19.20.18,Sg:n:1,2,3::ht|

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

This polyethylene glycol derivative belongs to the class of nonionic surfactants, synthesized through ethoxylation of nonylphenol. The polymerization process creates a chain of ethylene oxide units terminated by a hydroxyl group. While not a fragrance ingredient per se, its surface-active properties make it useful in fragrance delivery systems where emulsification is required.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
SolubilitySoluble in water and organic solvents

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
N/A
Volatility
N/A
Blending
Functional
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Cleaning Products1-5%0.5-10%Emulsifier and stabilizer
Industrial Formulations2-8%1-15%Processing aid

Classic Accords

Tip: Use as a neutral base for fragrance solubilization in aqueous systems.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Polysorbate 20 CAS 9005-64-5

Milder surfactant for personal care applications with better skin compatibility.

2
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil CAS 61788-85-0

Natural-derived alternative with similar emulsifying properties.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Not restricted by IFRA

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

Not evaluated by RIFM as it’s primarily a functional ingredient.

Sustainability

As a petrochemical-derived material, its environmental impact stems from non-renewable sourcing. Biodegradability depends on the degree of ethoxylation, with longer chains being less biodegradable. Some manufacturers are moving toward more sustainable surfactant alternatives in response to environmental concerns about alkylphenol ethoxylates.

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References

  1. European Chemicals Agency. Nonylphenol ethoxylates. ECHA
  2. EPA Fact Sheet: Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates EPA

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID1027718

Physical Properties

Melting Point 42.75 °C🔬 EPA CTX

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.7 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 1.05 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 29.46 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 1 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 2 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 11 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed

Data Sources:

🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.

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