Product Name
Octadecanoic acid
Category
Fatty Acids and Ester Homologs
Description
Stearic acid is a white solid with a mild odor. Floats on water. (USCG, 1999);DryPowder; DryPowder, OtherSolid, Liquid; Liquid; OtherSolid; OtherSolid, Liquid; PelletsLargeCrystals; PelletsLargeCrystals, Liquid; PelletsLargeCrystals, WetSolid, OtherSolid; WetSolid, Liquid;Solid;Solid;WHITE CRYSTALS OR POWDER WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.;hard, white or faintly yellowish crystalline solid/tallow odour;White solid with a mild odor.
IUPAC Name
octadecanoic acid
Molecular Formula
C18H36O2
Canonical SMILES
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O
InChI
InChI=1S/C18H36O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18(19)20/h2-17H2,1H3,(H,19,20)
InChI Key
QIQXTHQIDYTFRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Boiling Point
361 °C (lit.)
Melting Point
67-72 °C (lit.)
Flash Point
385 °F (NTP, 1992);113 °C (235 °F) - closed cup;385 °F (196 dec C) (closed cup);196 °C;385°F
Density
0.86 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999);0.9408 g/cu cm at 20 °C;Relative density (water = 1): 0.94-0.83;0.86
Solubility
1 to 10 mg/mL at 73° F (NTP, 1992);2.10e-06 M;0.000597 mg/mL at 25 °C;In water, 0.568 mg/L at 25 °C;In water, 0.597 mg/L at 25 °C;Insoluble in water;Slightly soluble in ethanol, benzene; soluble in acetone, chloroform, carbon disulfide;1 gram dissolves in 21 mL alcohol, 5 mL benzene, 2 mL chloroform, 26 mL acetone, 6 mL carbon tetrachloride, 3.4 mL carbon disulfide; also soluble in amyl acetate, toluene;Soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride;0.000597 mg/mL;Solubility in water: none;practically insoluble in water; soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform;1 g in 20 ml alcohol (in ethanol)
Application
Octadecanoic acid, also known as stearic acid, is a versatile fatty acid with an 18-carbon chain, commonly found in both animal and vegetable fats. It appears as a white, wax-like solid with a melting point of 70°C. This compound serves multiple purposes due to its ability to connect with other substances, acting as an emulsifier and thickening agent in various formulations. In the pharmaceutical industry, octadecanoic acid is primarily used as a lubricant in tablet and capsule production, contributing to their stability and release properties. It also enhances the consistency and texture of creams when partially neutralized with alkalis. In cosmetics, it functions as a stabilizing agent, while its use extends to the production of metallic stearates, soaps, lubricants, and additives in the manufacturing of PVC products. Through fractionation and other industrial processes, octadecanoic acid is refined for different applications, embodying nature's abundant and functional resource.
Fatty Acid
Octadecanoic
(Stearic)
Stability
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
