CompoundList
Sign in
Steroids and sterols

Cholesterol

Also known as Cholesterin, Cholest-5-en-3beta-ol, Cholesteryl alcohol

CAS 57-88-5Formula C27H46OMolar mass 386.66 g/molEC 200-353-2
178 suppliers listed Drug substance
Get quotes Compare 178 suppliers
Cholesterol chemical structure, C27H46O, CAS 57-88-5
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
White or faintly yellow pearly granules or crystals
Melting point
148.5 °C
Boiling point
360 °C
Density
1.067 @ 20 °C/4 °C
Solubility
In water, 0.095 mg/l @ 30 °C.
HS code
290613
Category
Steroids and sterols
Illustrative photo, granules discharging from a jumbo bag in a chemical plant
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Cholesterol?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Cholesterol is a cholestanoid consisting of cholestane having a double bond at the 5,6-position as well as a 3beta-hydroxy group. It has a role as a mouse metabolite, a human metabolite, a Daphnia galeata metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a C27-steroid, a 3beta-hydroxy-Delta(5)-steroid, a 3beta-sterol and a cholestanoid.

Cholesterol is a sterol biosynthesized by all animal cells which is an essential structural component of all animal cell membranes.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol
CAS number
57-88-5 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 129111-15-5, 22243-67-0, 80356-14-5
EC number
200-353-2
Molecular formula
C27H46O
UNII
97C5T2UQ7J
MDL number
MFCD00003646
INCI name
CHOLESTEROL
InChIKey
HVYWMOMLDIMFJA-DPAQBDIFSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C27H46O/c1-18(2)7-6-8-19(3)23-11-12-24-22-10-9-20-17-21(28)13-15-26(20,4)25(22)14-16-27(23,24)5/h9,18-19,21-25,28H,6-8,10-17H2,1-5H3/t19-,21+,22+,23-,24+,25+,26+,27-/m1/s1
Canonical SMILES
CC(C)CCCC(C)C1CCC2C3CC=C4CC(O)CCC4(C)C3CCC12C
Isomeric SMILES
C[C@H](CCCC(C)C)[C@H]1CC[C@@H]2[C@@]1(CC[C@H]3[C@H]2CC=C4[C@@]3(CC[C@@H](C4)O)C)C

Synonyms

  • Cholesterin
  • Cholest-5-en-3beta-ol
  • Cholesteryl alcohol
  • Dythol
  • Cordulan
  • Dusoline
  • Dusoran
  • Cholesterine
  • Cholestrin
  • Cholestrol
  • Hydrocerin
  • Lidinite
  • Kathro
  • Lanol
  • Super hartolan
  • Lidinit
  • Cholesterol base H
  • Nimco cholesterol base H
  • (-)-Cholesterol
  • 3beta-Hydroxycholest-5-ene
  • Tegolan
  • 5:6-Cholesten-3beta-ol
  • (3beta)-cholest-5-en-3-ol
  • Provitamin-d
  • Cholest-5-en-3-ol (3beta)-
Show all 37 synonyms
  • (3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-[(2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol
  • 5-Cholesten-3B-ol
  • (3beta,14beta,17alpha)-cholest-5-en-3-ol
  • (3S,8S,9S,10R,13R,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-17-((2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta(a)phenanthren-3-ol
  • 10,13-dimethyl-17-(6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta(a)phenanthren-3-ol
  • 10,13-dimethyl-17-(6-methylheptan-2-yl)-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol
  • Cholesterol 1551
  • (1S,2R,10S,11S,14R,15R)-2,15-dimethyl-14-((2R)-6-methylheptan-2-yl)tetracyclo(8.7.0.02,7.011,15)heptadec-7-en-5-ol
  • Cholesterinum
  • Tegolan (VAN)
  • Cholest-5-en-3-beta-ol
  • 3-beta-Hydroxycholest-5-ene

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
White or faintly yellow pearly granules or crystalsexp.
Odour
Almost odorlessexp.
Melting point
148.5 °Cexp.
Boiling point
360 °Cexp.
Density
1.067 @ 20 °C/4 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 0.095 mg/l @ 30 °C.exp.
Vapour pressure
VP: 0.171 mm Hg at 149 °Cexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
386.66 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
386.3549 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
7.39calc.
Topological polar surface area
20.23 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
5calc.
Heavy atoms
28calc.
Rings
4calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.93calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
8calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (1 violation)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, C1=C2CCCCC2C2CCC3CCCC3C2C1

C1=C2CCCCC2C2CCC3CCCC3C2C1

4 rings, 17 atoms.

1,163 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

No GHS hazard classification is recorded for this substance yet. That does not mean it is harmless.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Cholesterol suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 178 suppliers
30 of 30 offers

Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

178 suppliers in 28 countries

Send one request to many suppliers

Choose up to 10 suppliers or let us match your request. Compare quotes side by side, free.

Choose suppliersPost a request

Cholesterol price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.

Get latest price

Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Used in pharmaceutical and dermal preparations as an emulsifying agent.

Important as raw material for syntheses involving microbiological degradation of the side chain.

Use classes: Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name CHOLESTEROL(skin conditioning - emollient, surfactant - emulsifying, skin conditioning, light stabilizer)

Roles

  • Daphnia galeata metabolite
  • Daphnia metabolite
  • algal metabolite
  • animal metabolite
  • antineoplastic agent
  • crustacean metabolite
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • human metabolite
  • mammalian metabolite
  • metabolite
  • mouse metabolite
  • pharmaceutical

Functional uses

  • Emulsifier
  • Fragrance
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Processing aids not otherwise specified
  • Softener and conditioner
  • Stabilizing agent
  • Thickening agent
  • Viscosity modifier

Cosmetic functions

  • Light stabilizer
  • Skin conditioning
  • Skin conditioning - emollient
  • Surfactant - emulsifying
  • Viscosity controlling

Pharmacology

Cholesterol is an animal sterol found in the body tissues (and blood plasma) of vertebrates. It can be found in large concentrations within the liver, spinal cord, and brain. Cholesterol is an important component of the membranes of cells, providing stability. It is the major precursor for the synthesis of vitamin D, of the various steroid hormones, including cortisol, cortisone, and aldosterone in the adrenal glands, and of the sex hormones progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. Cholesterol also has an important role for the brain synapses as well as in the immune system.

Read more

In conditions featuring elevated low density lipoproteins (LDL), cholesterol often forms plaque deposits in the walls of arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which is a major contributor to coronary heart disease and other forms of cardiovascular disease.

How it is made

Prepared commercially from the spinal cord of cattle by petroleum ether extraction of the nonsaponifiable matter. Also produced from wool grease.

Cholesterol is commercially prepared from bovine spinal cord and wool grease by extraction with petroleum ether. The extracted material is then purified by repeated bromination.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Cholesterol is traded under.

HS 2906.13Indicative HS code

Sterols and inositols

World exports in 2024
$316M
−12.1% vs 2023, imports $291M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China42.0%
  2. United States16.4%
  3. Netherlands9.6%
Top importers
  1. Ecuador * partner reported13.0%
  2. China13.0%
  3. United States9.4%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Cholesterol is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Cholesterol, based on the data on this page

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a cholestanoid consisting of cholestane having a double bond at the 5,6-position as well as a 3beta-hydroxy group. It has a role as a mouse metabolite, a human metabolite, a Daphnia galeata metabolite and an algal metabolite.

What is the CAS number of Cholesterol?

The CAS registry number of Cholesterol is 57-88-5. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 129111-15-5, 22243-67-0, 80356-14-5.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Cholesterol?

The molecular formula of Cholesterol is C27H46O and its molar mass is 386.66 g/mol.

What is Cholesterol used for?

Used in pharmaceutical and dermal preparations as an emulsifying agent. Important as raw material for syntheses involving microbiological degradation of the side chain. Use classes: Cosmetics.

Is Cholesterol hazardous?

No GHS hazard classification for Cholesterol is recorded on CompoundList yet. That does not prove it is safe. Always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is usually classified under HS code 290613 (Sterols and inositols). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Cholesterol?

CompoundList lists 178 suppliers of Cholesterol in China, United States, India, Germany and 24 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Cholesterol in India?

16 suppliers in India list Cholesterol on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Cholesterol?

Suppliers quote Cholesterol on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Cholesterol

Get quotes for Cholesterol

Post one free request with your grade, quantity and destination. Matching suppliers send quotes you can compare side by side.
Post a request Sell Cholesterol
Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
Embed this structure on your websiteShow code

Paste this code into your page to show the 2D structure of Cholesterol with a 3D view, its CAS number and a link back to this page. Free to use with the link kept.

<iframe src="https://www.compoundlist.com/embed/structure/cholesterol-57-88-5" title="Cholesterol structure on CompoundList" width="360" height="420" style="border:1px solid #E7E2DA;border-radius:12px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe>
Preview the embed

Explore more in Steroids and sterols or HS code 290613

178 suppliers
Free quotes, contact stays private
Get quotes