What Is CAS 25153-40-6? Identity, Uses, and Key Specifications
CAS 25153-40-6 is identified in some commercial listings as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), also called povidone. However, PVP is commonly referenced under CAS 9003-39-8, so buyers should not rely on a CAS number alone when approving a material. We recommend confirming the substance name, grade, composition, and applicable specifications against the supplier’s current technical documents before purchase.
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PVP is a water-soluble polymer used in applications such as pharmaceutical formulations, personal care products, and industrial processes. Its behavior depends on grade characteristics, including K-value, molecular-weight distribution, moisture, and solution viscosity. These characteristics are not interchangeable across all PVP products, so the correct specification depends on the intended use.
Identity and Nomenclature
What the CAS number tells you
A CAS Registry Number is a substance identifier, not a complete product specification. It does not, by itself, confirm the polymer’s grade, K-value, intended regulatory status, or suitability for a particular formulation. Commercial records can also contain inconsistencies, making document-to-document identity checks important.
For CAS 25153-40-6, ask the supplier to confirm in writing how the number relates to the offered product. Compare the CAS entry on the quotation, product specification, safety data sheet, and certificate of analysis. If those documents identify different substances or numbers, resolve the discrepancy before placing an order or incorporating the material into a controlled formula.
PVP and related materials
PVP, or povidone, is a polymer based on N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone units. It should not be confused with crospovidone, a crosslinked PVP material, or copovidone, a copolymer with a different composition and performance profile. These materials can serve different functions and should be specified by their proper name rather than treated as equivalent products.
Core Functions and Common Uses
PVP’s functional role varies with grade, concentration, formulation, and processing conditions. In pharmaceutical applications, it may be used as a binder or as a solubilizing or film-forming excipient, where permitted by the applicable product requirements. In personal care and industrial formulations, it may contribute film formation, adhesion, or stabilization.
- Pharmaceutical formulations: Selected grades may be used as excipients in tablets, granules, or liquid systems. Buyers should verify the grade’s suitability against their formulation, manufacturing process, and regulatory requirements.
- Personal care: PVP can be considered where water solubility and film-forming properties are useful. Compatibility and performance should be tested in the finished formulation.
- Industrial applications: Depending on the required properties, PVP may be used in processes that require a soluble polymer or film-forming component. The specific use should be matched to the supplier’s grade data.
These are general application categories, not a guarantee that every PVP grade is suitable for each use. Confirm the intended grade, applicable documentation, and formulation performance with your technical team and supplier.
Types and Material Options
PVP is sold in grades that differ in polymer characteristics and intended application. K-value is commonly used to distinguish grades and is related to solution viscosity and polymer size; it is not a substitute for a complete specification. For example, buyers may encounter commercial grades identified as K30 or K90, but the exact limits and test methods should be confirmed on the product specification.
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Other factors may include powder characteristics, moisture, residual monomers, solution behavior, and applicable compendial or customer requirements. A pharmaceutical-grade designation should be supported by relevant documentation rather than inferred from a product name or marketing description. Where the application calls for crospovidone or copovidone, specify that material explicitly instead of requesting PVP generally.
Key Specifications to Review
There is no single specification that applies to every product listed under a PVP name or CAS entry. Before comparing offers, establish the material identity and the test methods used. The following table outlines the main items buyers can request and review.
| Specification item | Why it matters | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Substance name and CAS number | Establishes the identity being purchased. | Ask for consistency across the quotation, specification, safety data sheet, and certificate of analysis. |
| Grade and K-value | Helps distinguish intended performance and viscosity behavior. | Confirm the grade designation, acceptable range, and test method. |
| Viscosity | Can affect processing and finished-product performance. | Request the test concentration, temperature, preparation method, and reporting units, such as mPa·s. |
| Moisture and other quality limits | May affect handling, formulation, and conformance to purchase requirements. | Review the stated limits, analytical methods, and actual batch results where provided. |
| Regulatory and quality documentation | Supports evaluation for the intended market and application. | Identify the specific documents and compliance requirements needed for your project. |
For a practical comparison, buyers can agree on a shared screening protocol with suppliers and laboratories. For example, an initial solution-viscosity comparison could specify a 1% w/w aqueous solution prepared and measured at 25°C, with the preparation and reading time recorded, such as 24 hours after preparation. These values are suggested protocol details for comparison, not universal PVP specifications; confirm that the protocol is appropriate for the grade and application.
How to Select the Right PVP
- Define the intended use. State whether the material is for pharmaceutical, personal care, or industrial development, and describe the process or formulation role it must perform.
- Confirm material identity. Request the supplier’s explanation of CAS 25153-40-6 and verify that the product is PVP rather than a related polymer such as crospovidone or copovidone.
- Specify performance requirements. Identify the grade or K-value, viscosity method, and other limits that matter to your application. Avoid comparing viscosity results obtained under different test conditions.
- Check documentation needs. For regulated applications, communicate the required quality and regulatory documents before sampling or ordering. Requirements vary by product, market, and customer.
- Evaluate samples in your process. Use a controlled formulation or process trial to assess compatibility and performance. Do not assume a grade will behave identically across different formulations or manufacturing conditions.
Supplier Support for B2B Buyers
At NKY Group, we support buyers by discussing material identity, application requirements, and the documentation needed for supplier evaluation. When you inquire about CAS 25153-40-6, include your target application, required grade or K-value, destination market, and any specification or document requirements. This information helps us assess whether the requested identity and product scope are aligned.
Before commercial approval, request the current product specification and batch documentation applicable to the offered material. Confirm packaging, order quantity, availability, and delivery details directly with the supplier, since these can depend on the product and order conditions. If your organization has an internal qualification process, share its requirements early so that document review and sample evaluation can be planned efficiently.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
CAS 25153-40-6 is associated with PVP in some commercial listings, but buyers should verify the identity carefully because PVP is commonly referenced as CAS 9003-39-8. PVP grades differ in characteristics such as K-value and viscosity, and related materials including crospovidone and copovidone are not interchangeable. The correct purchase specification must therefore name the substance, grade, test methods, and application requirements.
To move forward, send NKY Group your intended use, target grade or performance criteria, destination market, and documentation needs. We can then discuss the appropriate product scope and provide the available information for your technical and procurement review.