Glycofurol, also known as tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol polyethylene glycol ether or tetraglycol, is a polyglycolized derivative of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol with the CAS number 112-60-7. It is a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with low toxicity, excellent solubilizing properties, and high biocompatibility. Primarily used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, glycofurol is valued for its ability to enhance drug delivery and stabilize formulations. Below is a detailed breakdown of its key applications:

1. Pharmaceutical Industry

• Solvent for Poorly Soluble Drugs:

• Widely used as a non-aqueous solvent to dissolve hydrophobic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in oral, topical, and parenteral formulations.

• Enhances bioavailability of lipophilic drugs in solutions, emulsions, and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS).

• Injectable Formulations:

• Serves as a co-solvent in intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) injectables to improve drug solubility and stability.

• Example: Used in long-acting depot injections for sustained drug release.

• Transdermal and Topical Delivery:

• Acts as a penetration enhancer in gels, creams, and patches to improve skin absorption of APIs.

• Oral Liquid Formulations:

• Stabilizes suspensions and syrups, particularly for pediatric or geriatric medications.

2. Biotechnology and Vaccine Production

• Protein Stabilization:

• Prevents aggregation and denaturation of proteins, peptides, and monoclonal antibodies in liquid formulations.

• Vaccine Adjuvants:

• Used in some vaccine formulations to enhance antigen stability and immune response.

3. Cosmetics and Personal Care

• Skin Care Products:

• Functions as a humectant and emollient in moisturizers, serums, and anti-aging creams.

• Enhances the solubility of lipid-based active ingredients (e.g., vitamins, retinoids).

• Fragrance Fixative:

• Prolongs the retention of fragrance oils in perfumes and lotions.

4. Veterinary Medicine

• Animal Health Products:

• Used in injectable and topical formulations for livestock and pets to improve drug solubility and efficacy.

5. Industrial Applications

• Specialty Chemical Synthesis:

• Acts as a reaction medium or co-solvent in the synthesis of agrochemicals, dyes, and resins.

• Lubricant Additive:

• Improves the viscosity and thermal stability of industrial lubricants.

6. Medical Devices

• Coating Agent:

• Applied to medical implants or devices to enhance biocompatibility and reduce inflammatory responses.

Advantages Over Alternatives

• Lower toxicity compared to traditional solvents like dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or ethanol.

• Better biocompatibility and tolerability in sensitive formulations.

• Versatile solubility profile (miscible with water and organic solvents).