Cetyl alcohol, also known as hexadecan-1-ol and palmityl alcohol, is a fatty alcohol with the formula CH3(CH2)15OH. At room temperature, cetyl alcohol takes the form of a waxy white solid or flakes. The name cetyl derives from the whale oil (Latin: cetus) from which it was first isolated.
Parameter | Value |
---|---|
CAS Number |
36653-82-4 |
Chemical formula |
C16H34O |
Molar mass |
242.45 g·mol−1 |
Appearance |
White crystals or flakes |
Odor |
very faint |
Density |
0.811 g/cm3 |
Melting point |
49.3 °C (120.7 °F; 322.4 K) |
Boiling point |
344 °C (651 °F; 617 K) |
Solubility in water |
insoluble |
Solubility |
very soluble in ether, benzene, chloroform |