Title: Stearic Acid
CAS Registry Number: 57-11-4
CAS Name: Octadecanoic acid
Trademarks: Emersol 132 (Emery)
Molecular Formula: C18H36O2
Molecular Weight: 284.48
Percent Composition: C 76.00%, H 12.76%, O 11.25%
Line Formula: CH3(CH2)16COOH
Literature References: Occurs as a glyceride in tallow and other animal fats and oils, as well as in some vegetable oils; also prepd synthetically by hydrogenation of cottonseed and other vegetable oils.
Properties: White leaflets. d70 0.847; mp 69-70°; bp 383°; nD80 1.4299. Slowly volatilizes at 90-100°. Very slightly sol in water. One 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 sol in amyl acetate, toluene. LD50 i.v. in mice, rats: 23±0.7, 21.5±1.8 mg/kg, L. Orö, A. Wretlind, Acta Pharmacol. Toxicol. 18, 141 (1961). U.S.P. stearic acid consists chiefly of a mixture of stearic and palmitic acids. It is in the form of white or slightly yellow, crystal masses, or a white to slightly yellow powder; slight tallow-like odor. Does not congeal below 54°.
Melting point: mp 69-70°
Boiling point: bp 383°
Index of refraction: nD80 1.4299
Density: d70 0.847
Toxicity data: LD50 i.v. in mice, rats: 23±0.7, 21.5±1.8 mg/kg, L. Orö, A. Wretlind, Acta Pharmacol. Toxicol. 18, 141 (1961)
Derivative Type: Ethyl ester
Additional Names: Ethyl stearate
Molecular Formula: C20H40O2
Molecular Weight: 312.53
Percent Composition: C 76.86%, H 12.90%, O 10.24%
Properties: White, cryst solid; odorless or practically so. mp 33-35°. bp 224°. Ethyl stearate of commerce solidifies at 20-24°; bp4 180°. Insol in water; sol in alcohol or ether.
Melting point: mp 33-35°
Boiling point: bp 224°; bp4 180°
Derivative Type: Methyl ester
Additional Names: Methyl stearate
Molecular Formula: C19H38O2
Molecular Weight: 298.50
Percent Composition: C 76.45%, H 12.83%, O 10.72%
Properties: White crystals. mp 38-39°. bp15 215°. Insol in water; sol in alcohol, ether.
Melting point: mp 38-39°
Boiling point: bp15 215°
Use: For suppositories, coating enteric pills, ointments, and for coating bitter remedies. Manuf stearates of aluminum, zinc, and other metals, stearin soap for opodeldoc, candles, phonograph records, insulators, modeling compds; impregnating plaster of Paris; in vanishing creams and other cosmetics. |