Stearyl alcohol

• Cetanol
• 1- octadecanol
• STEARYL ALCOHOL (INCI)
• Lanette 18

White shed with a faint odor

Fixed

0.81 g · cm -3

56-59 ° C

336 ° C

1.33 hPa ( at 150.3 ° C)

• Almost insoluble in water: < 0.01 g · l-1
• Insoluble in ethanol, acetone, diethyl ether, chloroform, benzene,

> 20,000 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Stearyl alcohol (IUPAC: 1- octadecanol ) is a long chain monohydric alcohol, which is included in the group of fatty alcohols. Due to the low polarity it is soluble, in contrast to the short-chain alcohols not in water, but in many nonpolar solvents.

Representation

Starting material is stearic acid, obtained from fats and fatty oils. The alcohol is produced via alkyl esters ( stearate ) by hydrogenation.

Properties

Stearyl alcohol has a flash point of about 185 ° C and an ignition temperature of 450 ° C.

Use

Stearyl alcohol belongs to the group of nonionic surfactants, water - in-oil emulsions ( briefly also W / O emulsions ) stabilized. Because of its relatively weak surfactant effect it is usually used in combination with other surfactants, usually with cetyl alcohol (known as cetylstearyl alcohol ). In cosmetic products stearyl alcohol is often used as an ointment base.

He also serves for the production of fatty alcohol sulfates (surfactants) and as a lubricant in the metal and textile industries.