Cetyl Alcohol

Description

1-Hexadecanol is identified by CAS 36653-82-4, molecular formula C16H34O and molecular weight 242.26 g/mol. UNII 936JST6JCN; ChEBI 16125; InChIKey BXWNKGSJHAJOGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N. Boiling Point: 344; Boiling Point: 334 °C at 760 mm Hg; Boiling Point: 344 °C.

Identification

CAS Registry Number	36653-82-4
PubChem CID	2682
Molecular formula	C16H34O
Molecular weight	242.26 g/mol
IUPAC name	hexadecan-1-ol
InChIKey	BXWNKGSJHAJOGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
UNII (FDA)	936JST6JCN
ChEBI ID	CHEBI:16125
FEMA number	2554
JECFA number	114

Computed Descriptors

Molecular Weight	242.44
XLogP3	7.3
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count	1
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count	1
Rotatable Bond Count	14
Exact Mass	242.260965704
Monoisotopic Mass	242.260965704
Topological Polar Surface Area	20.2
Heavy Atom Count	17
Formal Charge	0

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point	344
Boiling Point	334 °C at 760 mm Hg
Boiling Point	344 °C
Melting Point	49.3
Melting Point	49.3 °C
Melting Point	50 °C
Flash Point	175 °C
Solubility	In water, 4.1X10-2 mg/L at 25 °C
Solubility	1.34e-05 mg/mL at 25 °C
Density	0.8187 at 50 °C/4 °C

Physical description & handling notes

• Liquid; Wet Solid; Other Solid; Liquid; Dry Powder; Other Solid
• White solid; [Hawley]
• Solid
• white solid/odourless
• FLAKES FROM ETHYL ACETATE
• SOLID OR LEAF-LIKE CRYSTALS

Regulatory Status

Regulatory & Food Contact	EU Flavoring substances FDA Substance added to food: FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT FDA Inventory of Food Contact Substances Listed in 21 CFR: FCS Flavoring Agents FLAVOURING_AGENT: Flavouring Agent Flower, Wax
GHS notification summary	70.6% (2392 / 3386)

GHS Hazard Classification

GHS notification summary	70.6% (2392 / 3386)
Reported hazard statements	H319 (21.9%)

Documented Uses

• Used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, and shampoos (emollient and emulsion modifier) and to make face creams, lotions, lipsticks, toilet preparations, and antiperspirant sticks; Also used as a coupling agent, foam stabilizer in detergents, base for making sulfonated fatty acids, monomer lubricant in suspension polymerization, and to retard evaporation of water when spread as a film on reservoirs or sprayed on growing plants; [HSDB]
• Dressing Hair [Category: Other]
• In cosmetics as emollient, emulsion modifier, coupling agent. Pharmaceutical aid (emulsifying and stiffening agent).
• Perfumery, emulsifier, emollient, foam stabilizer in detergents, face creams, lotions, lipsticks, toilet preparations, chemical intermediate, detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, base for making sulfonated fatty acids, to retard evaporation of water when spread as a film on reservoirs or sprayed on growing plants
• For more Uses (Complete) data for 1-HEXADECANOL (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
• Flavouring Agent -> FLAVOURING_AGENT -> JECFA Functional Classes

Synonyms

1-Hexadecanol; cetyl alcohol; Hexadecan-1-ol; 36653-82-4; Palmityl alcohol; Cetanol; Hexadecyl alcohol; Cetaffine; N-Hexadecanol; n-Cetyl alcohol; Cetylol; n-1-Hexadecanol; Cetal; Ethal; Ethol; Cetylic alcohol

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the CAS number and molecular formula of 1-Hexadecanol?

CAS 36653-82-4; molecular formula C16H34O; molecular weight 242.26 g/mol.

What other names is 1-Hexadecanol known by?

1-Hexadecanol, cetyl alcohol, Hexadecan-1-ol, 36653-82-4, Palmityl alcohol, Cetanol.

What is the regulatory status of 1-Hexadecanol?

Documented regulatory listings: EU Flavoring substances; FDA Substance added to food: FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT; FDA Inventory of Food Contact Substances Listed in 21 CFR: FCS.

Is 1-Hexadecanol classified as hazardous?

70.6% of GHS notifications report no hazard classification (2392 of 3386).

What are the key physical properties of 1-Hexadecanol?

Boiling Point: 344; Boiling Point: 334 °C at 760 mm Hg; Boiling Point: 344 °C; Melting Point: 49.3.

Facts on this page are taken from PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) and Wikidata. Grade-specific data — assay, moisture, particle size, packaging, shelf life — is issued per batch on the COA and is not published here.