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Lauric acid

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

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Last updated on: 18.11.2024

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CAS No 143-07-7; Dodecanoic acid; lauric acid (INCI); n-dodecanoic acid

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Lauric acid is a saturated carboxylic acid with the molecular formula C12H24O2 and the linear formula:CH3-(CH2)10-COOH0. Lauric acid is derived from the alkane n-dodecane.

Lauric acid occurs naturally as a glycerol ester in coconut oil (see oleum cocos) and laurel oil (oleum lauri - see laurel oil below), as well as a cetyl ester in spermaceti.

Lauric acid has a melting point of 43.7ºC and a boiling point of 227ºC. It is soluble in ether and ethanol and insoluble in water.

The esters and salts of lauric acid are called laurates (systematically also dodecanoates).

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Last updated on: 18.11.2024

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles