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Nonoxynols, also known as nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), are a group of nonionic surfactants within the alkyl phenol ethoxylate superfamily. Alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs, APEO) have the chemical formula (1 < n < 20). Nonoxynols are the subfamily of APEs with R = iso- (''iso''-nonyl). Like almost all APEs, nonoxynols are colorless (or nearly so) oils. Nonoxynols are used as detergents, emulsifiers, wetting agents or defoaming agents. The most commonly discussed compound nonoxynol-9 is a spermicide, formulated primarily as a component of vaginal foams and creams. Nonoxynol was found to metabolize into free nonylphenol when administered to lab animals.

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