Ethylene Glycol vs. Polyethylene Glycol
Key Differences
Comparison Chart
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General Formula
Morphology
Molecular Weight
Production
Catalyst
Usage
Toxicity
Ethylene Glycolvs. Polyethylene Glycol
Although both the ethylene glycol and the polyethylene glycol have nearly similar names, they are different compounds from each other because of their general properties and their chemical structures. Ethylene glycol is an alcoholic compound. Polyethylene glycol, on the other hand, is a polyether compound. Because of the presence of –OH groups, both of these compounds are miscible with the water. Ethylene glycol is actually a simple linear molecule. Polyethylene glycol, on the flip side, is a polymeric material.
Ethylene glycol appears in a liquid state at room temperature. Polyethylene glycol, on the other side, may have different appearances which are based on its molecular weight. In order to produce the ethylene glycol, we use ethylene as the main chemical compound. On the other hand, when a reaction between ethylene oxide with water, the ethylene glycol or the ethylene glycol oligomers occurs, it produces the polyethylene glycol.
What is Ethylene Glycol?
Ethylene glycol is referred to as a simple linear molecule, and its IUPAC name is ethane-1,2-diol. There is a fixed value of molecular weight for ethylene glycol. It is considered as a colorless, odorless and sweet-tasting viscous dihydroxy alcohol. It is moderately toxic if it gets ingested. Its molar mass is about 62.07 g/mol. It is considered a syrupy liquid at room temperature and pressure. It is mentioned as a viscous liquid with a boiling point of about 198 °C. Ethylene glycol is made up of two –OH groups. That is why this molecule may form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. So, it is miscible with water. It is sweet in taste.
The most common applications of ethylene glycol are that it is used as an automotive antifreeze and a raw material for the production of the polyester fibers. Automotive antifreeze is a liquid that is used in the cooling system of the combustion engine and the radiator of vehicles. It is also important in the manufacturing of resins, and low-freezing dynamites.
What is Polyethylene Glycol?
Polyethylene glycol is referred to as a polymeric material. It might have a mild odor. It does not have a fixed value of molecular weight for the polyethylene glycol. Its value is based on value of “n” in its general formula. Polyethylene glycol may have different forms based on its molecular weight. It is considered as an opaque liquid below a molecular weight of 700. It changes into a semisolid material at molecular weights between 700 to 900. It can be a white waxy solid, powder or flakes above a molecular weight of 900.
The final product that is obtained after the formation of polyethylene glycol provides a variety of polymer compounds with different molecular weights. But if we used oligomers or ethylene glycol in place of water, they will provide the final product with low polydispersity. The type of polymerization is based on the form of catalyst. It may be anionic or cationic polymerization. But anionic polymerization provides a low polydispersity. So, it is better. Furthermore, we may also use suspension polymerization. Polyethylene glycol plays an important role in biological, commercial, chemical, industrial and medical fields.
