Glycol distearate
Glycol distearate is the diester of stearic acid and ethylene glycol. It is mostly commonly encountered in personal care products and cosmetics where it is used to produce pearlescent effects as well as a moisturizer.
Names | |
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IUPAC name
1,2-Ethanediyl dioctadecanoate | |
Other names
Ethylene glycol distearate; Ethylene distearate; Ethylene glycol dioctadecanoate | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.010.014 |
PubChem CID |
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |
C38H74O4 | |
Molar mass | 595.006 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | White Flake |
Melting point | 65 to 73 °C (149 to 163 °F; 338 to 346 K)[1] |
Insoluble | |
Hazards | |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose) |
4,700 mg/kg (rat) |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Infobox references | |
Synthesis
Glycol distearate may be produced via the esterification of stearic acid (or its esters) with ethylene glycol. It can also be produced by a reaction of stearic acid with ethylene oxide.[2]
Applications
When forced to crystalize as thin platelets glycol distearate can give liquids and gels a pearlescent appearance.[3] This is often used by the producers of personal care products (e.g. shower gel) to increase the visual appeal of their products. It may also act as a skin moisturizer.
Glycol distearate is also commonly used as an embedding agent in microscopy.
See also
References
- Ethylene glycol distearate, chemicalland21.com
- Wrigley, A. N.; Smith, F. D.; Stirton, A. J. (January 1959). "Reaction of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide with long-chain fatty acids. Mono- and diester formation". Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 36 (1): 34–36. doi:10.1007/BF02540263.
- Bolzinger, M.A.; Cogne, C.; Lafferrere, L.; Salvatori, F.; Ardaud, P.; Zanetti, M.; Puel, F. (May 2007). "Effects of surfactants on crystallization of ethylene glycol distearate in oil-in-water emulsion". Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 299 (1–3): 93–100. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2006.11.026.