glycol distearate
{{Chembox
| ImageFile = Glycol distearate.svg
| ImageSize =
| PIN = Ethane-1,2-diyl di(octadecanoate)
| OtherNames = Ethylene glycol distearate; Ethylene distearate; Ethylene glycol dioctadecanoate
|Section1={{Chembox Identifiers
| CASNo = 627-83-8
| CASNo_Ref = {{cascite|correct|}}
| UNII_Ref = {{fdacite|correct|FDA}}
| UNII = 13W7MDN21W
| PubChem = 61174
| ChemSpiderID = 55120
| SMILES = O=C(OCCOC(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
| StdInChI = 1S/C38H74O4/c1-3-5-7-9-11-13-15-17-19-21-23-25-27-29-31-33-37(39)41-35-36-42-38(40)34-32-30-28-26-24-22-20-18-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2/h3-36H2,1-2H3
| StdInChIKey = FPVVYTCTZKCSOJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
}}
|Section2={{Chembox Properties
| C=38 | H=74 | O=4
| Appearance = White Flake
| Density =
| MeltingPtC = 65 to 73
| MeltingPt_ref = [http://chemicalland21.com/specialtychem/perchem/ETHYLENE%20GLYCOL%20DISTEARATE.htm Ethylene glycol distearate], chemicalland21.com
| BoilingPt =
| Solubility = Insoluble
}}
|Section3={{Chembox Hazards
| MainHazards =
| FlashPt =
| AutoignitionPt =
| LD50 = 4,700 mg/kg (rat)
}}
}}
Glycol distearate is the diester of stearic acid and ethylene glycol. It is mostly commonly encountered in personal care products and cosmetics where it is used to produce pearlescent effects as well as a moisturizer.
Synthesis
Glycol distearate may be produced via the esterification of stearic acid (or its esters) with ethylene glycol. It can also be produced by a reaction of stearic acid with ethylene oxide.{{cite journal |last1=Wrigley |first1=A. N. |last2=Smith |first2=F. D. |last3=Stirton |first3=A. J. |title=Reaction of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide with long-chain fatty acids. Mono- and diester formation |journal=Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society |date=January 1959 |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=34–36 |doi=10.1007/BF02540263}}
Applications
When forced to crystalize as thin platelets glycol distearate can give liquids and gels a pearlescent appearance.{{cite journal |last1=Bolzinger |first1=M.A. |last2=Cogne |first2=C. |last3=Lafferrere |first3=L. |last4=Salvatori |first4=F. |last5=Ardaud |first5=P. |last6=Zanetti |first6=M. |last7=Puel |first7=F. |title=Effects of surfactants on crystallization of ethylene glycol distearate in oil-in-water emulsion |journal=Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects |date=May 2007 |volume=299 |issue=1-3 |pages=93–100 |doi=10.1016/j.colsurfa.2006.11.026}} This is often used by the producers of personal care products (e.g. shower gel) to increase the visual appeal of their products. It may also act as a skin moisturizer.
Glycol distearate is also commonly used as an embedding agent in microscopy.