5384. Lauric Acid

Nomenclature

CAS number: 143-07-7
Dodecanoic acid; dodecoic acid; laurostearic acid; 1-undecanecarboxylic acid.
C12H24O2; mol wt 200.32.
C 71.95%, H 12.08%, O 15.97%.

Description and references

Isoln from coconut oil: Dale, Meara, J. Sci. Food Agric. 6, 162 (1955); Naudet et al., Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr. 1959, 718; from arecanut fat: Pathak, Mathur, J. Sci. Food Agric. 5, 461 (1954); from Holoptelea integrifolia seed oil: Badami, ibid. 13, 297 (1962). Synthesis: Ballard et al., US 2572238 (1951 to Shell); Langenbeck, Richter, Ber. 89, 202 (1956); Sprowls, US 2782214 (1957 to Baker Castor Oil); Zapesochnoya et al., Zh. Obshch. Khim. 33, 2552 (1963). Toxicity study: L. Or, A. Wretlind, Acta Pharmacol. Toxicol. 18, 141 (1961).

Chemical structure

Properties

White, crystalline powder; slight odor of bay oil, mp 44°; also reported as 48°. d54 0.869. bp100 225°; bp20 160-165°. nD82 1.4183. Insol in water. 1 g dissolves in 1 ml alcohol, 2.5 ml propyl alcohol; freely sol in benzene, ether. LD50 i.v. in mice: 131 ±5.7 mg/kg (Or, Wretlind).