Title: Palmitic Acid
CAS Registry Number: 57-10-3
CAS Name: Hexadecanoic acid
Synonyms: hexadecylic acid; cetylic acid
Molecular Formula: C16H32O2
Molecular Weight: 256.42
Percent Composition: C 74.94%, H 12.58%, O 12.48%
Line Formula: CH3(CH2)14COOH
Literature References: Occurs as the glyceryl ester in many oils and fats. Obtained from palm oil, Japan wax, or Chinese vegetable tallow. Purification: Magne
et al., US 2791596 (1957 to Secretary of Agriculture). Toxicity study: L. Or?, A. Wretlind,
Acta Pharmacol. Toxicol. 18, 141 (1961).
Properties: White, crystalline scales. d462 0.853. mp 63-64°. bp15 215°.
nD80 1.4273. Insol in water. Sparingly sol in cold alcohol or in petr ether; freely sol in hot alcohol, in ether, propyl alcohol, chloroform. LD50 i.v. in mice: 57±3.4 mg/kg (Or?, Wretlind).
Melting point: mp 63-64°
Boiling point: bp15 215°
Index of refraction: nD80 1.4273
Density: d462 0.853
Toxicity data: LD50 i.v. in mice: 57±3.4 mg/kg (Or?, Wretlind)