C12-15 Pareth-3 is an ethoxylated derivative of fatty alcohols, structurally derived from C12-C15 fatty alcohol. The name, C12-15 Pareth-3, is binding and identifies the compound in the INCI system. This is the nomenclature used for chemical compounds being ingredients of cosmetics. Chemically, C12-15 Pareth-3 is a surfactant that belongs to the subgroup of non-ionic surfactants. This means that it has no polar components and therefore has no charge. Due to its numerous advantages, the main application of C12-15 Pareth-3 are multi-purpose cleaning compositions, both for home and institutional use. The global CAS ID under which you can find this substance is 68131-39-5.
Chemically, C12-15 Pareth-3 is a synthetic mixture of petroleum products and ethylene oxide based on PEG, i.e. a group of petroleum-derived chemicals – polyethylene glycol. At room temperature (around 20°C) and under atmospheric pressure, C12-15 Pareth-3 has the physical form of a liquid or paste ranging in colour from colourless to straw-coloured. At 40oC it becomes a clear liquid slightly yellowish in colour, not exceeding 70 in the Hazen scale. Some properties, including the consistency of C12-15 Pareth-3, are the result of a high solidification point, around 10°C. The hydroxyl value, expressed in mgKOH/g, ranges from 164 to 172. Besides its excellent dispersing properties, C12-15 Pareth-3 is also a very good emulsifier. The hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) for C12-15 Pareth-3 is 7.8. This indicates moderately lipophilic properties of the substance, its insolubility in water, and a tendency to produce oil-in-water emulsions. It has been empirically confirmed that this ethoxylated fatty alcohol is sensitive to environmental changes (pH). In low (acidic) pH the substance is stable, but in solutions with high (alkaline) pH it decomposes as a result of the hydrolysis. Water hardness does not affect the activity or stability of C12-15 Pareth-3. This compound has the ability to increase the viscosity of preparations containing anionic surfactants, and therefore acts as a rheology modifier. Together with this type of surfactants, C12-15 Pareth-3, apart from producing foam, ensures its stabilization and improves its quality. It is also a substance with strong wetting properties, which facilitates the contact between the dirty surface and the cleaning solution. C12-15 Pareth-3 is fully compatible with higher ethoxylates with which it produces even greater detergency properties. Due to the lack of ionic structure, C12-15 Pareth-3 will work well as a component of the formulation together with non-ionic, cationic and anionic surfactants. According to the criteria included in the Regulation (EC) No. 648/2004 on detergents, the compound meets the requirements for completely biodegradable substances. It is not classified as a dangerous substance, is safe for use in cosmetics and has no restrictions on use in such formulations.
The outstanding emulsifying and dispersing properties allow the use of C12-15 Pareth-3 even in compositions intended for the removal of dried, greasy stains, e.g. during the pretreatment of textiles. It also perfectly deals with other heavy dirt – oil contamination. Formulations containing the substance can be effectively used not only at home, but also in products for professional use. The emulsifying properties of C12-15 Pareth-3 make it usable in all kinds of metal surface degreasers, as well as in plant protection compositions, i.e. in liquid herbicides such as EC, EW, SE. The substance can be used as a substrate for the synthesis of alkyl ether sulphates, which also have strong wettability, foam formation and high detergency properties. Due to the excellent wettability, C12-15 Pareth-3 is used in washing solutions, gels, shampoos and other cosmetics designed to remove impurities from the surface of the skin and hair. Its ability to produce and stabilize emulsions make it also usable in creams, milks and lotions.
