Title: Behenic Acid
CAS Registry Number: 112-85-6
CAS Name: Docosanoic acid
Molecular Formula: C22H44O2
Molecular Weight: 340.58
Percent Composition: C 77.58%, H 13.02%, O 9.40%
Line Formula: CH3(CH2)20CO2H
Literature References: Minor constituent of most seed fats, animal milk fats and marine animal oils. Large amts (~50%) are found in (hydrogenated?) jamba oil, mustard seed oil and rape oil: Sudborough
et al., J. Indian Inst. Sci. 9A, 25 (1926). Prepn from erucic acid by catalytic reduction: Morgan, Holmes,
J. Soc. Chem. Ind. London Trans. Commun. 44, 491 (1925). Brief review: E. S. Lower,
Manuf. Chem. 56(7), 44-46 (1985).
Properties: Waxy solid, mp 79.95°. Neutralization value 164.73. bp60 306°. d4100 0.8221;
nD100 1.4270. One hundred grams of 90% ethanol dissolve 0.102 g of behenic acid at 17°; at 25° 0.218 g of the acid dissolves in 100 ml of 91.5% ethanol, 0.116 g in 100 ml of 86.2% ethanol, 0.011 g in 100 ml of 63.07% ethanol. One hundred grams of ether dissolves 0.1922 g of behenic acid at 16°.
Melting point: mp 79.95°
Boiling point: bp60 306°
Index of refraction: nD100 1.4270
Density: d4100 0.8221
Derivative Type: Methyl ester
Molecular Formula: C23H46O2
Molecular Weight: 354.61
Percent Composition: C 77.90%, H 13.07%, O 9.02%
Properties: mp 54°.
Melting point: mp 54°
Derivative Type: Ethyl ester
Molecular Formula: C24H48O2
Molecular Weight: 368.64
Percent Composition: C 78.19%, H 13.12%, O 8.68%
Properties: mp 50°. bp0.2 185°.
Melting point: mp 50°
Boiling point: bp0.2 185°
Derivative Type: Amide
Molecular Formula: C22H45NO
Molecular Weight: 339.60
Percent Composition: C 77.81%, H 13.36%, N 4.12%, O 4.71%
Properties: mp 111-112°.
Melting point: mp 111-112°
Use: In lubricating oils, as solvent evaporation retarder in paint removers. Amide as anti-foam in the manuf of detergents, in floor polishes, in dripless candles.
