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nonoxynol

(Science: chemical) alpha-(4-nonylphenyl)-omega-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl). Nonionic surfactant mixtures varying in the number of repeating ethoxy (oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) groups. They are used as detergents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, defoaming agents, etc. Nonoxynol-9, the compound with 9 repeating ethoxy groups, is a spermatocide, formulated primarily as a component of vaginal foams and creams.

Pharmacological action: excipient, spermatocidal agents, surface-active agent.

Chemical name: Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(4-nonylphenyl)-omega-hydroxy-