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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: 29.10.2020

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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 glycerol ester in coconut oil (see Oleum Cocos) and in laurel oil (Oleum lauri -s.u. laurel real), as well as cetyl ester in spermaceti.

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

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

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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