Showing chemical card for Dodecanoic acid (CFc000000497)
Record Information
Version
1.0
Creation Date
2022-08-28 10:25:12 UTC
Update Date
2022-09-13 18:44:54 UTC
Chemfont ID
CFc000000497
Molecule Identification
Common Name
Dodecanoic acid
Definition
Dodecanoic acid, also known as dodecanoate or lauric acid, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as medium-chain fatty acids. These are fatty acids with an aliphatic tail that contains between 4 and 12 carbon atoms. Dodecanoic acid is a very hydrophobic molecule, practically insoluble (in water), and relatively neutral. Dodecanoic acid is the main fatty acid in coconut oil and in palm kernel oil, and is believed to have antimicrobial properties. It is a white, powdery solid with a faint odour of bay oil. Dodecanoic acid, although slightly irritating to mucous membranes, has a very low toxicity and so is used in many soaps and shampoos.
Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as medium-chain fatty acids. These are fatty acids with an aliphatic tail that contains between 4 and 12 carbon atoms.
Stepanova, G. A.; Markevich, V. S.; Garanin, V. I.; Stychinskii, G. F. Synthesis of lauric acid. Khimicheskaya Promyshlennost (Moscow, Russian Federation) (1974), (12), 930.