1023. Behenic Acid

Nomenclature

CAS number: 112-85-6
Docosanoic acid.
C22H44O2; mol wt 340.58.
C 77.58%, H 13.02%, O 9.40%.

Description and references

Minor constituent of most seed fats, animal milk fats and marine animal oils. Large amts (≈50%) are found in (hydrogenated?) jamba oil, mustard seed oil and rape oil: Sudborough et al., J. Indian Inst. Sci. 9A, 25 (1926). Prepn from erucic acid by catalytic reduction: Morgan, Holmes, J. Soc. Chem. Ind. London Trans. Commun. 44, 491 (1925). Brief review: E. S. Lower, Manuf. Chem. 56(7), 44-46 (1985).

Chemical structure

Properties

Waxy solid, mp 79.95°. Neutralization value 164.73. bp60 306°. d4100 0.8221; nD100 1.4270. One hundred grams of 90% ethanol dissolve 0.102 g of behenic acid at 17°; at 25° 0.218 g of the acid dissolves in 100 ml of 91.5% ethanol, 0.116 g in 100 ml of 86.2% ethanol, 0.011 g in 100 ml of 63.07% ethanol. One hundred grams of ether dissolves 0.1922 g of behenic acid at 16°.

Derivative

Methyl ester.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 929-77-1
C23H46O2; mol wt 354.61.
C 77.90%, H 13.07%, O 9.02%.

Properties

mp 54°.

Derivative

Ethyl ester.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 5908-87-2
C24H48O2; mol wt 368.64.
C 78.19%, H 13.12%, O 8.68%.

Properties

mp 50°. bp0.2 185°.

Derivative

Amide.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 3061-75-4
C22H45NO; mol wt 339.60.
C 77.81%, H 13.36%, N 4.12%, O 4.71%.

Properties

mp 111-112°.

Use

In lubricating oils, as solvent evaporation retarder in paint removers. Amide as anti-foam in the manuf of detergents, in floor polishes, in dripless candles.