Tergitol

Tergitol is a trade name for a range of non-ionic surfactants (surface-active agents) produced primarily by Dow Chemical Company. These surfactants are commonly used in cleaning formulations, detergents, paints, coatings, textiles, and industrial processes.

Chemical Type

Tergitol surfactants are typically alcohol ethoxylates or secondary alcohol ethoxylates, meaning they are derived from alcohols reacted with ethylene oxide to form ethoxylated chains.

General formula:
R–O–(CH₂CH₂O)ₙ–H
where R is a hydrocarbon chain and n indicates the number of ethylene oxide units.

⚙️ Common Grades

Some common variants include:

• Tergitol 15-S Series (e.g., 15-S-3, 15-S-7, 15-S-9, 15-S-12) – secondary alcohol ethoxylates with different levels of ethoxylation (more ethoxylation = more water solubility).

• Tergitol NP Series – nonylphenol ethoxylates (now less common due to environmental regulations).

• Tergitol TMN-6 – a well-known surfactant used in detergents and hard-surface cleaners.

🌊 Properties

• Non ionic (no charge, compatible with anionic and cationic surfactants)

• Excellent wetting and emulsifying properties

• Effective in both acidic and alkaline conditions

• Low foaming (some grades) or high foaming (others, depending on ethoxylation level)

• Good biodegradability (especially newer non-phenolic grades)