Isotridecanol ethoxylated

Isotridecanol ethoxylated (CAS 69011-36-5), also known as Trideceth (branched), is a nonionic surfactant produced by ethoxylating branched isotridecanol to varying degrees.

Where is Isotridecanol ethoxylated used?

• Household and industrial cleaning: primary surfactant
• Hard-surface cleaners, degreasers and all-purpose concentrates: controlled foam and strong soil removal
• Personal care: rinse-off products such as shampoos and body washes
• Textile processing: wetting and scouring agent for uniform dye penetration
• Leather and paper manufacturing: degreasing baths and process chemical dispersions
• It delivers low-foam emulsification, wetting and detergency.
• Used as an emulsifier in metalworking aids and in pesticide spraying equipment.
• Acts as a wetting agent, emulsifier, and dispersant in detergents, industrial and institutional cleaners, emulsion polymerization, and wax and silicone emulsions.
• Isotridecanol + 6 EO has a decisive degreasing effect and is preferred when grease-bound soil must be removed, while Isotridecanol + 8 EO is mainly used to remove pigmented soil.

Formulation notes

• In a liquid laundry detergent formulation (for 30°C and 60°C washing), isotridecanol ethoxylate 7 EO is used at 15.0%.
• For an ultrasonic cleaner formulation, the recommended dosage is 1-3% in water.
• It forms free-flowing or solid gels when water is added in certain concentration ranges, which can impair processing of cleaning formulations.

Typical specification

• Best wetting efficiency on textiles is observed between Isotridecanol 6 EO and Isotridecanol 10 EO.
• Isotridecanol ethoxylated with 5 to 20 moles EO is covered under CAS number 9043-30-5.
• The isotridecanol ethoxylated product range includes grades with 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 30, 40, and 50 moles of ethylene oxide per mole.
• Low ethoxylates are soluble in non-polar organic solvents and are used, for example, as w/o emulsifiers.
• The most effective grades for reducing the surface tension of water are Isotridecanol + 6 mol EO/mol and Isotridecanol + 8 mol EO/mol.

Regulatory status

• It is CLP-labelled under EU regulation (EC) 1272/2008.

Storage, packaging and handling

• It can be stored in stainless steel tanks (steel grade 1.4541 or 1.4571) that may need heating for medium and high ethoxylates.
• It is generally recommended not to store it at temperatures above 50 °C for long periods.

Frequently asked questions about Isotridecanol ethoxylated

How does the degree of ethoxylation affect the viscosity of isotridecanol ethoxylate?

Short EO chain grades are low-viscosity liquids at room temperature, and viscosity increases as the degree of ethoxylation rises.

How can gel formation be avoided when preparing cleaning formulations with isotridecanol ethoxylated?

To avoid lumps and gel formation, it is advised to add the nonionic surfactant, use warm water, and mix well.

What additives can suppress gel formation of isotridecanol ethoxylated in aqueous formulations?

Additional solvents such as alcohols, salts, and electrolytes dissolved in water can suppress gel formation of isotridecanol ethoxylated.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.