8805. Stearyl Alcohol

Nomenclature

CAS number: 112-92-5
1-Octadecanol; 1-hydroxyoctadecane; stenol.
C18H38O; mol wt 270.49.
C 79.93%, H 14.16%, O 5.91%.

Description and references

The official substance is a mixture of solid alcohols consisting chiefly of stearyl alcohol. Preparation from ethyl stearate: Brown, Rao, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 78, 2582 (1956); Hesse, Schrdel, Ann. 607, 24 (1954). Prepn of technical grade from sperm whale oil: Maiorov et al., Zh. Prikl. Khim. 37, 1344 (1964).

Chemical structure

Properties

Unctuous white flakes or granules, mp 56-60° (the pure substance, mp 59.4-59.8°, bp15 210°). Sol in alcohol, ether, benzene, acetone.

Use

Substitute for cetyl alc in pharmaceutical dispensing, in cosmetic creams, for emulsions, textile oils and finishes, as antifoam agent, lubricant, and chemical raw material.