Poly(ethylene glycol) or Poly(ethylene oxide)?: Magnitude of end-group Contribution to the Partitioning of Ethylene Oxide Oligomers and Polymers between Water and Organic Phases

Abstract

PEO partitioning from water to CH2Cl2 and CHCl3 increases with its molar mass, leveling off at ca. 3 000 g mol-1. Such a behaviour is related to PEO end-group contributions, suggesting a polyglycol to polyether transition at ca. 3 000 g mol-1.

Keywords

• poly(ethylene glycol)
• poly(ethylene oxide)
• polymer partitioning
• polymer fractionation
• biphasic systems
• end-group contribution