1703. Calcium Stearate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 1592-23-0
Octadecanoic acid calcium salt; stearic acid calcium salt.
C36H70CaO4; mol wt 607.02.
C 71.23%, H 11.62%, Ca 6.60%, O 10.54%.

Description and references

The commercial prepn also contains palmitate. Prepn: Harrison, Biochem. J. 18, 1222 (1924); Kebrich, Petrot, US 2650932 (1953 to National Lead).

Chemical structure

Properties

Granular, fatty powder. Bulk density ≈20 lb/cu ft, mp 147-149° (determined by gradient bar). Practically insol in water, ether, chloroform, acetone, cold alcohol; slightly sol in hot alcohol, in hot vegetable and mineral oils; quite sol in hot pyridine.

Use

For waterproofing fabrics, cement, stucco, explosives; as a releasing agent for plastic molding powders; as a stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride resins; lubricant; in pencils and wax crayons. Food grade calcium stearate, derived from edible tallow, is used as a conditioning agent in certain food and pharmaceutical products.