Deceth-5 is the INCI name of a non-ionic surfactant which is a derivative of decyl alcohol. As a surfactant having predominately wetting properties, Deceth-5 is a popular ingredient used in the detergent, textile or agrochemical industry.
The compound with the INCI name Deceth-5 (the name used in the INCI system – an international nomenclature system for cosmetic ingredients) is a substance belonging to the group of ethoxylated fatty alcohols. It belongs to a group of surfactants which are based on decyl alcohol (C10H22O). This compound is also known under its chemical name: ethoxylated C10–16 (even numbered) alcohols. Its CAS number is 68002-97-1.
Deceth-5 is a surfactant and its molecule structure is characteristic for this type of compounds. This structure determines most of its properties and applications. The Deceth-5 molecule includes both a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic part. The hydrophilic part has strong affinity to water molecules and this results in very good solubility of Deceth-5 i.a. in water. On the other hand, the hydrophobic part readily binds with non-polar molecules. Due to its molecule structure, Deceth-5 has very good detergent properties. It is readily used as an ingredient in various types of washing, cleaning and laundry preparations. Dirt particles, which are usually hydrophobic, bind with the hydrophobic part of the Deceth-5 molecule and the strong affinity to water facilitates the separation of those impurities from the cleaned surface and washing them away.
In the cosmetics industry, Deceth-5 is used as an ingredient of washing and cleaning formulations for skin and hair. It is often an ingredient of shampoos and shower gels. It effectively forms compositions with other non-ionic, anionic or cationic surfactants. Its detergent properties and the fact that it facilitates foaming make it an effective ingredient of a range of cleaning and personal care cosmetics.
Deceth-5 is also used in fibre treatment processes. It is an ingredient of products designed for removing oil stains (from mineral oils) from the surface of woven and knitted fabrics that result from weaving processes. Moreover, it can be used as a component of bleaching compositions for raw knitted and woven cotton fabrics. During the final stages of dyeing processes, it removes excess dyes from the dye baths.
Due to its very good wetting properties, it is used in the agrochemical industry. It is used in EC, EW, SC and SE type formulations.
Deceth-5 is a substance readily chosen for a range of applications not only because of its very good wetting and detergent properties. Its major advantage is the compatibility with many other non-ionic, anionic and cationic substances. Moreover, it can be effectively used in the environment of oxidizing and reducing agents, as well as in the presence of hard water. It is active in cold water, in acidic or neutral baths and in diluted alkalis.
