| glycols | A generic grouping for dihydric alcohols with the hydroxy groups (-oh) located on different carbon atoms. They are viscous liquids with high boiling points for their molecular weights. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| butylene glycols | 4-carbon straight chain aliphatic hydrocarbons substituted with two hydroxyl groups. The hydroxyl groups cannot be on the same carbon atom. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| polyethylene glycols | <chemical> Alpha-hydro-omega-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyls). Additional polymers of ethylene oxide and water and their ethers. They vary in consistency from liquid to solid, depending on the molecular weight, indicated by a number following the name. Used as surfactants in industry, including foods, cosmetics and pharmaceutics; in biomedicine, as dispersing agents, solvents, ointment and suppository bases, vehicles, tablet excipient. Some specific groups are lauromagrogols, nonoxynols, octoxynols and poloxamers. Pharmacological action: excipient, pharmaceutic aid, solvents, surface-active agent, vehicles. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ethylene glycols | An ethylene compound with two hydroxy groups (-oh) located on adjacent carbons. They are viscous and colourless liquids. Some are used as anaesthetics or hypnotics. However, the class is best known for their use as a coolant or antifreeze. (12 Dec 1998) |