Magnesium stearate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Magnesium stearate | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| IUPAC name |
Magnesium octadecanoate
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 557-04-0  |
| PubChem | 11177 |
| SMILES |
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)[O-].CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)[O-].[Mg+2]
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C36H70MgO4 |
| Molar mass | 591.27 g/mol |
| Appearance | light white powder |
| Odor | slight |
| Melting point |
150 °C, 423 K, 302 °F |
| Solubility in water | negligible |
| Solubility | insoluble in ether slightly soluble in benzene |
| Hazards | |
| MSDS | External MSDS |
| (what is this?) (verify) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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| Infobox references | |
Magnesium stearate, also called octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt, is a white substance which is solid at room temperature. It has the chemical formula Mg(C18H35O2)2. It is a salt containing two equivalents of stearate (the anion of stearic acid) and one magnesium cation (Mg2+). Magnesium stearate melts at about 88 °C, is not soluble in water, and is generally considered safe for human consumption[citation needed]. Because it is widely regarded as harmless, it is often used as a diluent[1] in the manufacture of medical tablets, capsules and powders (E470b).[2] In this regard, the substance is also useful because it has lubricating properties, preventing ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment during the compression of chemical powders into solid tablets; magnesium stearate is the most commonly used lubricant for tablets.[3] It is used to bind sugar in hard candies. It is also a common ingredient in baby formulas. In pure powder form, the substance can be a dust explosion hazard,[4] although this issue is effectively insignificant beyond the manufacturing plants using it.
When used as a filling agent in the manufacture of capsules and tablets, such as vitamins, the source of this ingredient is typically bovine.[citation needed] However, there is an increasing number of vegetarian options in which the product specifically indicates it contains magnesium stearate from vegetable sources.
Magnesium stearate is a major component of "bathtub rings". When produced by soap and hard water, magnesium stearate and calcium stearate both form a white solid insoluble in water, and are collectively known as "soap scum".
[edit] References
- ^ http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/86/8601sci3.html
- ^ Sworbrick, James; James C. Boylan (1990). Encyclopedia of pharmaceutical technology. p. 2274. ISBN 0824728246, 9780824728243.
- ^ Weiner, Myra L.; Lois A. Kotkoskie (1999). Excipient Toxicity and Safety. p. 10. ISBN 0824782100, 9780824782108.
- ^ International Chemical Safety Card 1403
