OCTYL PALMITATE

CAS Number: 29806-73-3 (correct for 2-ethylhexyl palmitate)
 Note: Often confused with n-octyl palmitate (CAS 6938-94-9) – commercial products  typically use branched chain.
 EC Number: 249-862-1
 Molecular Formula: C₂₄H₄₈O₂
 Molecular Weight: 368.64 g/mol

 Synonyms:
2-Ethylhexyl palmitate,Palmitic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester,Octyl hexadecanoate,Cetyl palmitate (incorrect but sometimes used),EHO (ethylhexyl oleate analog)

Physical Properties:
 Colorless to pale yellow oily liquid with faint characteristic odor. Exhibits low viscosity (≈15 mPa·s at 25°C), density 0.85 g/cm³, boiling point 215°C at 5 mmHg, melting point -5°C, and flash point 180°C. The ester demonstrates excellent oxidative stability due to saturated fatty acid chain, with peroxide value typically <1 meq/kg. Solubility characteristics include miscibility with most oils and organic solvents, immiscibility with water, and partial solubility in ethanol.
Acid-Catalyzed Esterification:
Catalyst: p-Toluenesulfonic acid (0.1-0.5%)
Temperature: 180-220°C
Pressure: Reduced (50-100 mmHg) to remove water
Time: 4-8 hours to >98% conversion
Post-treatment: Neutralization, bleaching, filtration
2. Enzymatic Esterification:
Catalyst: Immobilized lipases (Candida antarctica Lipase B)
Temperature: 60-80°C
Advantages: Lower temperature, no metal catalysts, higher specificity
Commercial use: Increasing for high-purity cosmetic grades
Raw Material Sources:
Palmitic Acid: Primarily from palm oil (45-50% palmitic acid) or palm kernel oil
2-Ethylhexanol: Petrochemical origin or increasingly from bio-based routes
Quality Specifications:
Acid Value: <1.0 mg KOH/g
Saponification Value: 145-155 mg KOH/g
Hydroxyl Value: <5 mg KOH/g
Color (APHA): <30
Peroxide Value: <1.0 meq/kg
Heavy Metals: <10 ppm
Residual Alcohol: <0.5%
Global production capacity approaches 50,000 metric tons annually, with major producers in Malaysia (palm-based), Europe (BASF, Cognis), and USA (Inolex, Ashland). Pricing ranges from $2-3/kg for technical grades to $5-8/kg for pharmaceutical and high-purity cosmetic grades.
Comprehensive Application Spectrum
Cosmetic and Personal Care (85% of consumption):
Skin Care Emollient: In moisturizers, lotions, and creams at 2-15% concentration. Provides smooth, non-greasy feel with excellent spreadability.
Sun Care Formulations: As solvent for UV filters (particularly organic filters) at 5-20%.
Color Cosmetics: In foundations, lipsticks, and makeup at 3-10% for pigment dispersion and improved application.
Hair Care: In conditioners and styling products at 1-5% for shine enhancement and manageability.
Baby Products: As mild emollient in diaper creams and baby lotions (2-8%).
Case Example: In water-in-silicone emulsion sunscreens, octyl palmitate (8-12%) solubilizes organic UV filters while maintaining elegant sensory properties and SPF efficiency.
Pharmaceutical Applications (10%):
Topical Formulations: As emollient and solvent in ointments, creams, and gels.
Transdermal Delivery: As penetration enhancer for active ingredients.
Injectable Formulations: In some parenteral products as co-solvent (high-purity grades required).
Suppository Bases: As component of lipid-based delivery systems.
Industrial Applications (5%):
Lubricants: In metalworking fluids and textile lubricants.
Plasticizers: For PVC and other polymers where low migration is required.
Leather Processing: As fatliquoring agent.
Textile Finishing: As softening agent for synthetic fibers.
Performance Advantages:
Non-Comedogenic: Rated 0-1 on comedogenicity scale
Excellent Spreadability: Low surface tension (25-28 mN/m)
Oxidative Stability: Due to saturated fatty acid chain
Compatibility: With wide range of cosmetic ingredients
Skin Feel: Non-greasy, dry touch
Odor Neutral: Does not interfere with fragrance systems
Chemical Behavior and Stability Profile
Hydrolytic Stability:
 Octyl palmitate exhibits good stability at cosmetic pH ranges (4-8) but undergoes hydrolysis under strongly acidic or basic conditions. The rate constant for alkaline hydrolysis at 25°C is approximately 0.05 L/mol·s.
Oxidative Stability:
 The saturated nature of the palmitate moiety provides exceptional resistance to oxidation:
AOM Stability: >100 hours to reach peroxide value of 100 meq/kg
OSI (110°C): >20 hours
Rancimat Induction Time: >15 hours at 120°C
Thermal Behavior:
Decomposition Temperature: >250°C (onset by TGA)
Flash Point: 180°C (closed cup)
Autoxidation: Negligible below 150°C
Compatibility Matrix:
Excellent Compatibility: With silicones, mineral oils, vegetable oils, esters
Good Compatibility: With most emulsifiers, waxes, polymers
Limited Compatibility: With strong acids/bases, oxidizing agents
Incompatible: With strong alkalis leading to saponification
 
Regulatory Status and Compliance
Global Approvals:
Cosmetics: Approved worldwide with no concentration restrictions
EU Cosmetics Regulation: Listed with no restrictions
FDA: Approved for cosmetic use
China IECIC: Listed
Japan: Not restricted
Food Contact Approvals:
FDA 21 CFR: 175.105, 175.300, 176.170, 177.2800
EU Regulation 10/2011: Included
Generally not used as direct food additive
Pharmaceutical Standards:
USP/NF: Monograph available
European Pharmacopoeia: Included
Japanese Pharmacopoeia: Included
Environmental Regulations:
REACH: Registered with no restrictions
Not classified as hazardous to environment
Not PBT/vPvB

SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT OCTYL PALMITATE

 
 
 
 
 
 
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician. 
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
 
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air. 
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. 
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
 
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
 
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting. 
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. 
Rinse mouth with water. 
Consult a physician.
 
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
 
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment. 
 
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas. 
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
 
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
 
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste. 
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
 
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
 
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. 
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
 
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
 
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles. 
Faceshield (8-inch minimum). 
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
 
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves. 
Gloves must be inspected prior to use. 
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. 
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. 
Wash and dry hands.
 
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
 
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. 
 
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. 
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. 
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
 
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions. 
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
 
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. 
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product