Poly(oxyethylene) Sorbitol Hexaoleate

Polyethoxylated sorbitol hexaoleate (CAS 57171-56-9) is the emulsifier that makes solvent-based "spray on, hose off" engine degreasers actually rinse off with water. Without it, a petroleum-solvent payload would simply re-deposit as oily film when sprayed with a garden hose. The molecule has a polyethoxylated sorbitol head (water-loving) bonded to oleate ester tails (oil-loving), which suspends solvent + grease emulsions long enough for water to carry them off. The compound is in the same family as Polysorbate 80 (TWEEN 80), an FDA-GRAS food emulsifier. It is not classified as hazardous, is readily biodegradable per OECD criteria, and shows low aquatic toxicity. At 1–3% in a formulation it has effectively zero hazard footprint — the entire health/environment profile of the parent product is driven by the petroleum-solvent fraction, not this surfactant. For users: this is the benign part of the bottle. Not a meaningful contributor to any classification or PPE recommendation.