Sorbitan monostearate

Sorbitan monostearate
IUPAC name Octadecanoic acid [2-[(2R,3S,4R)-3,4-dihydroxy-2-tetrahydrofuranyl]-2-hydroxyethyl] ester[citation needed]
Identifiers
CAS number	[citation needed] 1338-41-6[citation needed] Y
PubChem	16218600
ChemSpider	16736467 Y
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES O[C@H](COC(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC)[C@H]1OC[C@H](O)[C@H]1O
InChI InChI=1S/C24H46O6/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-22(27)29-19-21(26)24-23(28)20(25)18-30-24/h20-21,23-26,28H,2-19H2,1H3/t20-,21+,23+,24+/m0/s1 Y Key: HVUMOYIDDBPOLL-XWVZOOPGSA-N Y InChI=1/C24H46O6/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-22(27)29-19-21(26)24-23(28)20(25)18-30-24/h20-21,23-26,28H,2-19H2,1H3/t20-,21+,23+,24+/m0/s1 Key: HVUMOYIDDBPOLL-XWVZOOPGBK
Properties
Molecular formula	C24H46O6
Molar mass	430.62 g/mol
Appearance	Waxy powder
Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Sorbitan monostearate is an ester of sorbitan (a sorbitol derivative) and stearic acid and is sometimes referred to as a synthetic wax. It is primarily used as an emulsifier to keep water and oils mixed. Sorbitan monostearate is used in the manufacture of food and healthcare products, and is a non-ionic surfactant with emulsifying, dispersing, and wetting properties^{[citation needed]}. Sorbitans are also known as "Spans". It is also employed to create synthetic fibers, metal machining fluid, brighteners in the leather industry, as an emulsifier in coatings, in pesticides, and in various applications in the plastics, food and cosmetics industries.

Sorbitan monostearate has been approved by the European Union for use as a food additive (emulsifier) (E number: E 491)^{[citation needed]}.

Compendial status

• British Pharmacopoeia

References

http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v05je47.htm

See also

• Acceptable daily intake
• Sorbitan tristearate (Span 65)
• Yeast