Cetyl alcohol
 |
|
 |
|
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Hexadecan-1-ol
|
|
| Other names
Cetanol, Cetyl alcohol, Ethal, Ethol, Hexadecanol, Hexadecyl alcohol, Palmityl alcohol
|
|
| Identifiers | |
36653-82-4  |
|
| 3D model (Jmol) | Interactive image |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:16125 |
| ChEMBL | ChEMBL706 |
| ChemSpider | 2581 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.048.301 |
| EC Number | 253-149-0 |
| KEGG | D00099 |
| PubChem | 2682 |
| UNII | 936JST6JCN |
|
|
|
|
| Properties | |
| C16H34O | |
| Molar mass | 242.45 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | White crystals or flakes |
| Odor | very faint |
| Density | 0.811 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 49.3 °C (120.7 °F; 322.4 K) |
| Boiling point | 344 °C (651 °F; 617 K) |
| insoluble | |
| Solubility | very soluble in ether, benzene, chloroform soluble in acetone slightly soluble in alcohol |
| Acidity (pKa) | 16.20 |
| -183.5·10−6 cm3/mol | |
|
Refractive index (nD)
|
1.4283 (79 °C) |
| Viscosity | 53 cP (75 °C) |
| Hazards | |
| NFPA 704 | |
| Flash point | 185 °C (365 °F; 458 K) |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
|
LD50 (median dose)
|
5000 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
|
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
|
|
 verify (what is  ?) |
|
| Infobox references | |
Cetyl alcohol /ˈsiːtəl/, also known as hexadecan-1-ol and palmityl alcohol, is a fatty alcohol with the formula CH3(CH2)15OH. At room temperature, cetyl alcohol takes the form of a waxy white solid or flakes. The name cetyl derives from the whale oil (Latin: cetus) from which it was first isolated.[2]
Preparation[edit]
Cetyl alcohol was discovered in 1817 by the French chemist Michel Chevreul when he heated spermaceti, a waxy substance obtained from sperm whale oil, with caustic potash (potassium hydroxide). Flakes of cetyl alcohol were left behind on cooling.[3] Modern production is based around the reduction of palmitic acid, which is obtained from palm oil.
Uses[edit]
Cetyl alcohol is used in the cosmetic industry as an opacifier in shampoos, or as an emollient, emulsifier or thickening agent in the manufacture of skin creams and lotions.[4] It is also employed as a lubricant for nuts and bolts, and is the active ingredient in some "liquid pool covers" (forming a surface layer to reduce evaporation and retain heat).
Side effects[edit]
People who suffer from eczema can be sensitive to cetyl alcohol,[5][6] though this may be due to impurities rather than cetyl alcohol itself.[7] Ironically, this ingredient is sometimes included in medications for the treatment of eczema.[8]
Related compounds[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 2020.
- ^ Nordegren, Thomas (2002). The A-Z Encyclopedia of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Universal Publishers. p. 165. ISBN 1-58112-404-X.
- ^ Booth, James Curtis (1862). The Encyclopedia of Chemistry, Practical and Theoretical. p. 429.
- ^ Smolinske, Susan C (1992). Handbook of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Excipients. CRC Press. pp. 75–76. ISBN 0-8493-3585-X.
- ^ Gaul, LE (1969). "Dermatitis from cetyl and stearyl alcohols". Archives of dermatology. 99 (5): 593. doi:10.1001/archderm.1969.01610230085016. PMID 4238421.
- ^ Soga, F; Katoh, N; Kishimoto, S (2004). "Contact dermatitis due to lanoconazole, cetyl alcohol and diethyl sebacate in lanoconazole cream". Contact dermatitis. 50 (1): 49–50. doi:10.1111/j.0105-1873.2004.00271j.x. PMID 15059111.
- ^ Komamura, H; Doi, T; Inui, S; Yoshikawa, K (1997). "A case of contact dermatitis due to impurities of cetyl alcohol". Contact dermatitis. 36 (1): 44–6. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1997.tb00921.x. PMID 9034687.
- ^ Kato N; Numata T; Kanzaki T (1987). "Contact dermatitis due to Japanese pharmacopeia cetyl alcohol". Skin Research. 29 (suppl 3): 258–262.
