Stearyl alcohol

Stearyl alcohol[1]
IUPAC name	1-Octadecanol
Other names	Octadecyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol
Identifiers
CAS number	[112-92-5]
PubChem	8221
SMILES	CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCO
Properties
Molecular formula	C18H38O
Molar mass	270.49 g/mol
Appearance	White solid
Density	0.812 g/cm³
Melting point	59.4-59.8 °C
Boiling point	210 °C at 15 mmHg (~2.0 kPa)
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references

Stearyl alcohol (also known as octadecyl alcohol or 1-octadecanol) is a substance prepared from stearic acid by the process of catalytic hydrogenation. It is a fatty alcohol. It takes the form of white solid granules or flakes which are insoluble in water, with a melting point of 60 °C and boiling point of 210 °C (at 15 mmHg or 2.0 kPa). It has a wide range of uses as an ingredient in lubricants, resins, perfumes and cosmetics. It is used as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener in ointments of various sorts, and is widely used as a hair coating in shampoos and hair conditioners. Stearyl alcohol is even used as a liquid solar blanket in swimming pools by forming a molecule thick layer on the surface of the water and slowing the evaporation rate of the pool water.

References

External links

• International Programme on Chemical Safety