CAS 25655-41-8 is povidone-iodine, a nonionic complex formed by combining iodine with povidone, also called polyvinylpyrrolidone or PVP. It is used as an iodine-releasing antiseptic in pharmaceutical, healthcare, laboratory, veterinary, and selected industrial formulations. Unlike a simple iodine solution, povidone-iodine is designed to carry iodine in a water-compatible polymer complex and release available iodine gradually. When sourcing this material, buyers should confirm the grade, available iodine content, physical form, packaging, regulatory documentation, and intended application with the supplier.
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Povidone-iodine is commonly identified by the chemical name povidone iodine and the CAS number 25655-41-8. It is not usually represented by one simple molecular formula because it is a complex of iodine and a polymer rather than a single low-molecular-weight compound. The povidone component provides the polymeric carrier, while iodine provides the active halogen associated with antimicrobial performance.
The material is typically supplied as a brown to dark-brown powder, flakes, or granules, depending on the manufacturing and processing method. Its color is related to iodine content and the physical state of the complex. Because appearance can vary by grade, I recommend evaluating a current certificate of analysis rather than approving material by color alone.
Commercial povidone-iodine is generally specified by its available iodine content, not only by the total weight of the complex. Many pharmaceutical and antiseptic grades are positioned around 9% to 12% available iodine, although the exact specification depends on the applicable standard and product grade. Buyers should distinguish between total iodine, available iodine, and any assay requirement stated in their purchasing specification.
The iodine-to-povidone relationship affects product performance, color, solubility behavior, and formulation compatibility. A supplier should provide the relevant assay method, moisture or loss-on-drying information, residue requirements, and identification data where applicable. I do not recommend treating one nominal percentage as suitable for every finished product without reviewing the destination-market requirements.
The primary function of povidone-iodine is to serve as an iodine-releasing antiseptic ingredient. In contact with an appropriate aqueous environment, the complex can provide iodine species that are associated with broad antimicrobial activity. The polymer carrier helps make iodine more manageable in water-based formulations than some conventional elemental iodine systems.
Povidone-iodine is also valued for formulation flexibility. It may be used in solutions, scrubs, ointments, gels, sprays, and other topical preparations, subject to the requirements of the finished-product manufacturer and local regulations. Its usefulness depends on factors such as concentration, pH, excipients, packaging, storage conditions, and the intended route of application.
Elemental iodine and povidone-iodine should not be treated as interchangeable materials. Simple iodine systems may require different solvents, stabilizers, handling procedures, and packaging controls. Povidone-iodine provides a polymer-complex format, but it still requires protection from excessive heat, light, contamination, and incompatible formulation conditions.
Healthcare manufacturers commonly evaluate CAS 25655-41-8 for topical antiseptic products, including skin preparation solutions and other external-use formulations. It may also be considered for wound-care products, depending on the approved formulation and intended medical use. The finished product must be developed and registered according to the rules of the target market.
In veterinary applications, povidone-iodine can be used in external antiseptic products for animal-care settings where the formulation and labeling are permitted. Laboratories may use it as a controlled reagent or reference material for specific procedures. Industrial and institutional users may also assess iodine complexes for sanitation-related formulations, but they must verify the relevant regulatory category before commercialization.
Povidone-iodine is intended for specific applications and is not automatically suitable for ingestion, injection, or unrestricted internal use. I advise buyers to define the intended use before requesting a quotation because medical, veterinary, laboratory, and industrial requirements can differ substantially. Compatibility testing should cover the container, closure, excipients, pH, light exposure, and storage period.
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Iodine-containing materials can stain skin, fabrics, equipment, and some packaging surfaces. Formulators should also consider iodine sensitivity, odor, color stability, and interactions with reducing agents or other reactive ingredients. These are practical development issues that should be resolved during formulation and stability evaluation rather than after commercial production begins.
CAS 25655-41-8 is available in different commercial grades and physical forms. Common distinctions include pharmaceutical or medical-use grades, technical grades, laboratory grades, powder or granular forms, and packaging options designed for different order sizes. The correct choice depends on the buyer’s specifications, regulatory obligations, production process, and required documentation.
| Selection category | What the buyer should confirm |
|---|---|
| Available iodine | Target assay range, test method, and release criteria |
| Physical form | Powder, flakes, or granules; flowability and dissolution behavior |
| Quality grade | Pharmaceutical, laboratory, veterinary, or technical suitability |
| Packaging | Container material, net weight, sealing, labeling, and batch traceability |
| Documentation | Certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, specification sheet, and origin details |
A procurement specification should include more than the CAS number. I recommend requesting the product name, CAS 25655-41-8, available iodine range, appearance, identification requirements, moisture or drying loss, residue or ash limits where relevant, and microbial or impurity criteria when required by the application. The buyer should also identify the test standard used for each critical parameter.
A practical specification review should confirm whether the material is supplied as a dry solid and whether it meets the buyer’s process requirements. For example, a formulation plant may need predictable dissolution, while a distributor may prioritize shelf-life documentation and packaging integrity. If the product will enter a regulated supply chain, the supplier should clarify which documents are available for each production batch.
These figures are starting points for technical discussion, not a substitute for a batch-specific certificate of analysis. The actual release limits may differ by grade, destination market, and intended use. For that reason, I recommend approving the written specification before placing a repeat order.
The lowest quoted price is not always the lowest total procurement cost. Buyers should compare assay consistency, document completeness, packaging quality, lead time, minimum order quantity, export capability, and response speed. A supplier that can provide clear technical information before shipment may reduce delays during incoming inspection and formulation approval.
It is also important to confirm whether the supplier can support sample evaluation and commercial-scale supply. The sample should represent the proposed commercial grade, or any difference should be clearly disclosed. Buyers should ask how batches are identified, how retained samples are managed, and how deviations are communicated.
At Yuking, we support buyers who are evaluating CAS 25655-41-8 for formulation, distribution, or manufacturing use. We can help organize product specifications, available iodine requirements, packaging discussions, document review, sample coordination, and export order communication. Our role is to connect the technical specification with the buyer’s actual procurement conditions rather than recommend a generic grade without context.
For an initial inquiry, I suggest sending the intended application, target available iodine range, estimated annual demand, preferred package size, destination country, and required documents. This information helps us assess the appropriate product option and provide a more useful quotation. Where the application is regulated, the buyer remains responsible for final qualification, formulation validation, labeling, and local compliance.
CAS 25655-41-8 is povidone-iodine, an iodine and povidone complex used primarily in antiseptic and related formulations. Its commercial suitability depends on available iodine content, grade, physical form, documentation, packaging, and application-specific requirements. A nominal CAS match alone does not confirm that a material is suitable for a particular finished product.
My recommended next step is to prepare a written purchasing specification and request a current certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, sample option, packaging details, minimum order quantity, and lead time. If you are sourcing povidone-iodine for a B2B project, send your target specification and destination market to Yuking for a focused product and supply assessment.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of cas 25655-41-8. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.