Methyl 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose Chemical Properties

Density 

1.28-1.30 g/cm3 (20℃)

bulk density

350kg/m3

storage temp. 

Store below +30°C.

solubility 

H₂O: 20 mg/mL, soluble

form 

powder

color 

white to faint beige

Water Solubility 

H2O: soluble 20mg/mL

Cosmetics Ingredients Functions

EMULSION STABILISING
VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
LIGHT STABILIZER

Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Methyl 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose (9032-42-2)

InChIKey

JTWZVKMWOCBJEV-RXUSYSPUSA-N

EPA Substance Registry System

Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl methyl ether (9032-42-2)

Safety Information

WGK Germany 

1

Autoignition Temperature

>360 °C

TSCA 

TSCA listed

HS Code 

3912 39 85

Storage Class

11 - Combustible Solids

Toxicity

LD50 orally in Rabbit: > 2000 mg/kg

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich

Methyl 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose Usage And Synthesis

Chemical Properties

soluble in cold water, flocculates at elevated temperatures

Chemical Properties

A white, yellowish-white or grayish-white powder or granules, hygroscopic after drying.

Uses

Water retention aid, thickening agent, protective colloid, suspending agent, binder and stabilizer.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose is used as an excipient in a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including oral tablets and suspensions, and topical gel preparations. It has similar properties to methylcellulose, but the hydroxyethyl groups make it more readily soluble in water and solutions are more tolerant of salts and have a higher coagulation temperature.

Safety

Hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose is used as an excipient in various oral and topical pharmaceutical preparations, and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant material.

Synthesis

Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose is prepared from refined cotton using ethylene oxide and chloromethane as etherifying agents. Steps: 1) A mixture of toluene and isopropanol, water, and NaOH are added to the reactor, heated and held. 2) Temperature is lowered, refined cotton is added, solvent is sprayed, vacuum is applied and nitrogen is purged for displacement, then alkalization is performed. 3) Vacuum is applied, ethylene oxide and chloromethane are added. Etherification occurs in two stages with controlled temperature and pressure. 4) The mixture is pressed into a desolvation kettle containing glacial acetic acid for neutralization. Temperature is raised for desolvation, and pH is adjusted. 5) Centrifugal separation, then transfer to a washing kettle for washing. 6) After centrifugation, the material is fed into a dryer, dried, crushed, and packaged.

storage

Hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose is hygroscopic and should therefore be stored under dry conditions away from heat.

Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in Europe (oral suspensions, tablets, and topical preparations).

Methyl 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose(9032-42-2)Related Product Information

• CELLULOSE
• Ethyl cellulose
• Hydroxyethyl Cellulose
• Methanol
• Cellulose acetate
• Microcrystalline cellulose
• CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE SODIUM SALT
• 2-(METHYLSULFONYL)ETHANOL
• DEAE-cellulose
• Acetonitrile
• Methyl
• COBALT(II) ACETYLACETONATE
• SALCOMINE
• DICHLORO(ETHYLENEDIAMINE)PLATINUM(II)
• 1,1,3,3-TETRAMETHYLBUTYL ISOCYANIDE
• N-BUTYLISOCYANIDE
• Tris(2,4-pentanedionato)chroMiuM(III)
• PHENYLSELENOL