Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Characteristics of Precipitation-formed Polyethylene Glycol Microgels Are Controlled by Molecular Weight of Reactants
Published on: December 23, 2013
Degradation of fenprostalene in polyethylene glycol 400 solution
Abstract:
The kinetics of degradation of fenprostalene (I) in polyethylene glycol 400 solution was examined using HPLC. The degradation of I at 80 degrees C was shown to depend on the presence of oxygen and a large number of polar products were produced, as evidenced by using 3H-labeled I. Evidence that autoxidation of the polyethylene glycol 400 was concurrent with degradation of I was found from a drop in the apparent pH. Antioxidants were very effective in retarding the rate of degradation in the presence of oxygen. Degradation of I in polyethylene glycol 400 appears to arise from a reaction between the drug and reactive peroxide intermediates formed through air-oxidation of polyethylene glycol 400. This is supported by the finding that I reacts exclusively by a slow transesterification reaction in diethylene glycol, a solvent that is stable to autoxidation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...
Drug Biotransformation: Overview
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

