Home / Products / D-alpha-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate (TPGS)
CAS 9002-96-4 Vitamin E Derivative Surfactant Vitamin E Derivative Surfactant NF Grade GRAS Certified Kosher Certified

D-alpha-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate (TPGS)

IUPAC: Tocofersolan / Vitamin E TPGS View on PubChem
CAS NUMBER
9002-96-4
MOL. FORMULA
N/A
MOL. WEIGHT
N/A
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Scientific Overview

TPGS's amphipathic structure --- a lipophilic tocopherol tail linked to a hydrophilic PEG head group --- gives it dramatically enhanced water solubility (~200 g/L) compared to native alpha-tocopherol (21 mg/L), roughly a 100-fold improvement. With a calculated HLB value of approximately 13.2--16, it functions as an effective oil-in-water emulsifier, solubilizer for poorly water-soluble drugs, and permeation enhancer, notably as a documented P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump inhibitor, which helps improve oral bioavailability of P-gp substrate drugs. It also retains vitamin E's inherent antioxidant activity, delivering approximately 387 IU/g when used nutritionally.

D-alpha-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate (TPGS), also known as Vitamin E TPGS or tocofersolan, is a water-soluble ester derivative of natural vitamin E, formed by esterifying d-alpha-tocopheryl succinate's carboxyl group with polyethylene glycol 1000 (PEG 1000). This amphiphilic conjugation transforms fat-soluble vitamin E into a versatile pharmaceutical surfactant, solubilizer, and absorption enhancer.

Full Technical Data
Chemical Name D-alpha-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate (Tocofersolan, Vitamin E TPGS)
CAS Number 9002-96-4
IUPAC Name Tocofersolan / Vitamin E TPGS
Molecular Formula N/A
Molecular Weight N/A
Reaction Scheme
D-alpha-Tocopheryl Acid Succinate
NA
NA
D-alpha-Tocopheryl PEG 1000 Succinate (TPGS)
NA
Commercial Applications

Oral Drug Solubilization & Bioavailability Enhancement

Widely used to improve solubility and absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs, notably via P-glycoprotein inhibition (e.g., used in Agenerase/amprenavir formulation).

Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems

Key excipient in self-emulsifying formulations, micelles, hot-melt extrusion, and nanoparticle-based (PLGA) drug delivery systems.

Vitamin E Deficiency Therapy

Used clinically (as tocofersolan) to treat vitamin E deficiency in pediatric patients with chronic cholestasis and digestive malabsorption.

Ophthalmic & Nasal Formulations

Applied to extend corneal residence time in eye drops and as a surfactant in nasal spray formulations (e.g., beclometasone dipropionate).

Market Therapeutic Focus
VITAMIN E DERIVATIVE SURFACTANT PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING ORAL BIOAVAILABILITY ENHANCEMENT PEDIATRIC / METABOLIC THERAPEUTICS NUTRACEUTICALS CRO/CDMO
Scientific Literature

Vitamin E TPGS: A Novel Excipient for Drug Delivery

Authors: Guo, Y. et al.

J. Control. Release

DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.04.017

Tocofersolan for the Treatment of Vitamin E Deficiency in Cholestatic Children

Authors: Socha, P. et al.

J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr.

DOI: 10.1097/00005176-199702000-00013

TPGS as an Absorption Enhancer and P-Glycoprotein Inhibitor

Authors: Dintaman, J.M.; Silverman, J.A.

Pharm. Res.

DOI: 10.1023/A:1007555813338
Peer Queries & FAQs
Why is TPGS more water-soluble than natural vitamin E?
The PEG 1000 chain conjugated to the tocopherol molecule gives it an amphiphilic structure, increasing water solubility roughly 100-fold compared to native fat-soluble alpha-tocopherol.
How does TPGS improve oral drug bioavailability?
Beyond its solubilizing/emulsifying action, TPGS is a documented inhibitor of P-glycoprotein efflux pumps, helping certain drugs remain in intestinal cells longer and improving their absorption.
Is TPGS used purely as an excipient, or does it have therapeutic uses of its own?
Both --- as tocofersolan, it is used therapeutically to treat vitamin E deficiency in pediatric cholestatic patients, while more broadly it also serves as a functional pharmaceutical excipient across many other drug products.
What is the recommended storage condition?
Store in a tightly sealed container at room temperature; TPGS is reported stable under ambient storage conditions for up to several years and remains stable through most standard processing/sterilization treatments.

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