Cetyl alcohol

Cetyl alcohol^[1]
Names
	IUPAC name Hexadecan-1-ol
	Other names Cetanol, Cetyl alcohol, Ethal, Ethol, Hexadecanol, Hexadecyl alcohol, Palmityl alcohol
Identifiers
CAS Number	36653-82-4;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ECHA InfoCard	100.048.301
PubChem CID	2682;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID4027991 ;
	SMILES CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCO;
Properties
Chemical formula	CH3(CH2)15OH
Molar mass	242.44 g/mol
Appearance	White crystals
Density	0.811 g/cm³
Melting point	49 °C (120 °F; 322 K)
Boiling point	344 °C (651 °F; 617 K)
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Hazards
Flash point	185 °C (365 °F; 458 K)
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Cetyl alcohol, also known as 1-hexadecanol and palmityl alcohol, is a solid organic compound with the chemical formula CH₃(CH₂)₁₅OH. At room temperature, cetyl alcohol takes the form of a waxy white solid or flakes. It belongs to the group of fatty alcohols.

The name cetyl derives from the whale oil (Latin: cetus) from which it was first isolated.^[2]

History

Cetyl alcohol was discovered in 1817 by the French chemist Michel Chevreul when he heated spermaceti, a waxy substance obtained from sperm whale oil, with caustic potash (potassium hydroxide). Flakes of cetyl alcohol were left behind on cooling.^[3]

Production

With the demise of commercial whaling, cetyl alcohol is no longer primarily produced from whale oil, but instead either as an end-product of the petroleum industry, or produced from vegetable oils such as palm oil and coconut oil. Production of cetyl alcohol from palm oil gives rise to one of its alternative names, palmityl alcohol.

Uses

Cetyl alcohol is used in the cosmetic industry as a surfactant in shampoos, or as an emollient, emulsifier or thickening agent in the manufacture of skin creams and lotions.^[4] It is also employed as a lubricant for nuts and bolts.

Related compounds

References

^ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 2020.
^ Nordegren, Thomas (2002). The A-Z Encyclopedia of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Universal Publishers. p. 165. ISBN 158112404X. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Booth, James Curtis (1862). The Encyclopedia of Chemistry, Practical and Theoretical. p. 429. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^ Smolinske, Susan C (1992). Handbook of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Excipients. CRC Press. pp. 75–76. ISBN 084933585X. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[1] Merck Index, 11th Edition, 2020.

[2] Nordegren, Thomas (2002). The A-Z Encyclopedia of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Universal Publishers. p. 165. ISBN 158112404X. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[3] Booth, James Curtis (1862). The Encyclopedia of Chemistry, Practical and Theoretical. p. 429. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

[4] Smolinske, Susan C (1992). Handbook of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Excipients. CRC Press. pp. 75–76. ISBN 084933585X. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

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