Lauric acid

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Other names	Lauric acid n-Dodecanoic acid
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Molecular mass	} g/mol
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Density	} g/cm³
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Chemical infobox

Lauric acid, or dodecanoic acid, is a fatty acid with the structural formula CH₃(CH₂)₁₀COOH . It is the main 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 odor of bay oil.

Uses

Lauric acid, although slightly irritating to mucous membranes, has a very low toxicity and so is used in many soaps and shampoos. Sodium lauryl sulfate is the most common lauric-acid derived compound used for this purpose. Because lauric acid has a non-polar hydrocarbon tail and a polar carboxylic acid head, it can interact with polar solvents (the most important being water) as well as fats, allowing water to dissolve fats. This accounts for the abilities of shampoos to remove grease from hair.

Because lauric acid is inexpensive, has a long shelf-life, and is non-toxic and safe to handle, it is often used in laboratory investigations of melting-point depression. Lauric acid is a solid at room temperature but melts easily in boiling water, so liquid lauric acid can be treated with various solutes and used to determine their molecular masses.

Reduction of lauric acid yields 1-dodecanol.

Properties

Physical data

Vapour density: 6.91
Vapour pressure: 1 mm at 121 C
Flash point: >113°C (>235°F)

Stability

Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with bases, oxidizing agents, reducing agents. Although lauric acid will burn, it tends to melt and vaporize unless it is in contact with an oxidizing agent or has been heated extremely quickly.

Toxicology

Eye, skin and respiratory irritant.

Transport information

Non-hazardous for air, sea and road transport. May cause burns.

External links

Fatty acids | Nutrition

Laurinsäure | Laŭra acido | Acide dodécanoïque | Asam laurat | ラウリン酸