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CAS Number: 143-18-0
EC Number: 205-590-5
Molecular Formula: C₁₈H₃₃KO₂
Molecular Weight: 320.55 g/mol
IUPAC Name: Potassium (Z)-octadec-9-enoate
Synonyms:
Oleic acid potassium salt; 9-Octadecenoic acid (9Z)-, potassium salt; Potassium 9-(Z)-octadecenoate; Trenamine D-200; Trenamine D-201; Caswell No. 698B; Potassium soap; Soft soap
Chemical Identity and Properties:
Potassium oleate is the potassium salt of oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid derived from natural fats and oils such as olive oil, sunflower oil, and tall oil. It is classified as an anionic surfactant with amphiphilic properties, featuring a hydrophilic carboxylate head and a hydrophobic C18 hydrocarbon tail with a cis double bond at the 9-position.
The compound appears as a soft, soapy solid or viscous liquid, typically supplied as a 40% paste in water or as a solid soap. It is biodegradable and considered environmentally friendly.
Physical Properties:
Appearance: White to pale yellow soft paste, viscous liquid, or solid soap
Odor: Characteristic fatty, soapy odor
Form: Typically 40 wt. % paste in water (commercial grade)
Melting Point: Not applicable (decomposes before melting)
Flash Point: Approximately 140 °C
pH (10% solution): Approximately 9–11 (alkaline)
Solubility: Soluble in water (forms clear to hazy solutions); soluble in ethanol and polar solvents
HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance): Approximately 20 (water-soluble surfactant)
Structural Characteristics:
Contains a cis double bond at the 9-10 position (unsaturated)
The cis configuration creates a "kink" in the hydrocarbon chain, contributing to fluidity
Acts as a potassium soap with excellent water solubility (compared to sodium soaps)
Manufacturing Process:
Potassium oleate is produced by the saponification of oleic acid with potassium hydroxide (KOH):
Reaction: C₁₈H₃₄O₂ (oleic acid) + KOH → C₁₈H₃₃KO₂ (potassium oleate) + H₂O
Oleic acid is typically derived from natural oils and fats
The reaction produces soap and water
May be supplied as a paste, liquid, or solid depending on water content
Applications:
1. Soaps and Detergents:
Liquid soaps: Potassium oleate produces softer, more water-soluble soaps compared to sodium soaps, making it ideal for liquid hand soaps, body washes, and shampoos
Shaving soaps: Creates rich, stable lather with excellent lubricity
Industrial cleaners: Heavy-duty degreasers and cleaning formulations
2. Cosmetics and Personal Care:
Emulsifier: Stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions in creams and lotions
Cleansing agent: Provides mild, effective cleansing in facial cleansers
Conditioning agent: Adds softness to skin and hair
Shaving products: Enhances razor glide and foam stability
3. Lubricants and Greases:
Metalworking fluids: Functions as an emulsifier and lubricity additive
Grease thickener: Used in the production of soap-based greases
4. Industrial Applications:
Textile processing: Wetting agent and lubricant in fiber processing
Emulsion polymerization: Surfactant in polymer production
Agricultural formulations: Emulsifier for pesticide and herbicide formulations
Rubber processing: Mold release agent and processing aid
5. Nanomaterial Synthesis:
Used as a surfactant in the synthesis of nickel nanorods (8-10 nm diameter, 100-200 nm length)
Employed in the preparation of aqueous calcium oleate sols
6. Research Applications:
Microemulsion studies (small-angle neutron scattering studies of potassium oleate with n-hexadecane, water, and cosurfactants)
Surfactant science and colloid chemistry research
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT POTASSIUM OLEATE
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
