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Emulsifiers

Lauric acid

Also known as Dodecanoic acid, n-Dodecanoic acid, Dodecylic acid

CAS 143-07-7Formula C12H24O2Molar mass 200.32 g/molEC 205-582-1
GHS signal word: Danger. Pictograms: Corrosive, Harmful or irritant 226 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Lauric acid chemical structure, C12H24O2, CAS 143-07-7
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless needles
Melting point
43.8 °C
Boiling point
91.4 °C
Density
0.8679 g/cm³ at 50 °C
Flash point
112.8 °C
HS code
291590
Category
Emulsifiers
Illustrative photo, colourless crystals in a clear glass bottle on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Lauric acid?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Dodecanoic acid is a straight-chain, twelve-carbon medium-chain saturated fatty acid with strong bactericidal properties, the main fatty acid in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It has a role as an antibacterial agent, a plant metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid and a medium-chain fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of a dodecanoate. It derives from a hydride of a dodecane.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
dodecanoic acid
CAS number
143-07-7 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 8000-62-2, 8045-27-0
EC numbers
205-582-1, 606-539-3, 616-324-6, 616-778-5, 617-074-0
Molecular formula
C12H24O2
UNII
1160N9NU9U
MDL number
MFCD00002736
INCI name
LAURIC ACID
InChIKey
POULHZVOKOAJMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C12H24O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12(13)14/h2-11H2,1H3,(H,13,14)
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O

Synonyms

  • Dodecanoic acid
  • n-Dodecanoic acid
  • Dodecylic acid
  • Laurostearic acid
  • Vulvic acid
  • Dodecoic acid
  • Duodecylic acid
  • 1-Undecanecarboxylic acid
  • Aliphat No. 4
  • Ninol AA62 Extra
  • Wecoline 1295
  • Hydrofol acid 1255
  • Hydrofol acid 1295
  • Univol U-314
  • Duodecyclic acid
  • Hystrene 9512
  • Lauric acid, pure
  • Laurinsaeure
  • Undecane-1-carboxylic acid
  • Philacid 1200
  • Emery 651
  • Lunac L 70
  • Kortacid 1299
  • Lunac L 98
  • Univol U 314
Show all 38 synonyms
  • Prifac 2920
  • Nuvail
  • fatty acid 12:0
  • Laurel berries
  • Dodecylcarboxylate
  • Lauric acid (natural)
  • ABL
  • Prifrac 2920
  • FA 12:0
  • Dodecylicacid
  • DAO
  • CH3-[CH2]10-COOH
  • Dodecanoic acid (lauric acid)

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
Colorless needlesexp.
Odour
Characteristic, like oil of bayexp.
Melting point
43.8 °Cexp.
Boiling point
91.4 °Cexp.
Density
0.8679 g/cm³ at 50 °Cexp.
Flash point
112.8 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 4.81 mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
1.6 × 10⁻⁵ mm Hg at 25 °C (extrapolated)exp.

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
200.32 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
200.1776 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
3.99calc.
Topological polar surface area
37.3 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
10calc.
Heavy atoms
14calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.92calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Danger
GHS05: Corrosive
Corrosive
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H315Causes skin irritation.
  • H318Causes serious eye damage.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary statements (11)
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.

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

Full safety data and first aid

Lauric acid suppliers

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

All 226 suppliers
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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

226 suppliers in 38 countries

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Lauric acid price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Alkyd resins, wetting agents, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, insecticides, food additives.

Reported uses (ppm):

Table: Reported uses (ppm): (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association) [Table#6311].

Plastics -> Typical concentration range in plastic materials -> 1%.

Industrial uses: Processing aids not otherwise specified, Surfactant (surface active agent), Other, Lubricating agent, Intermediate, Soil amendments (fertilizers), Emulsifier.

Consumer uses: Cleaning agent, Soil amendments (fertilizers), Lubricating agent, Other.

Use classes: Surfactants, Safer Chemical Classes, Plastics, Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name LAURIC ACID(cleansing, surfactant - emulsifying, surfactant - cleansing)

Roles

  • algal metabolite
  • antibacterial agent
  • antimicrobial agent
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • metabolite
  • plant metabolite

Functional uses

  • Cleaning agent
  • Emulsifier
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Humectant
  • Lubricating agent
  • Plasticizer
  • Surfactant (surface active agent)

Cosmetic functions

  • Cleansing
  • Surfactant - cleansing
  • Surfactant - emulsifying

Pharmacology

Lauric Acid is a saturated medium-chain fatty acid with a 12-carbon backbone. Lauric acid is found naturally in various plant and animal fats and oils, and is a major component of coconut oil and palm kernel oil.

How it is made

Fractional distillation of mixed coconut or other acids.

Isolation from coconut oil, from arecanut fat, from Holoptelea integrifolia seed oil.

Produced from synthetic lauryl alcohol.

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

  • Safer Choice ingredient list (USA)
  • 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 Lauric acid is traded under.

HS 2915.90Indicative HS code

Saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, anhydrides, halides, peroxides, peroxyacids and halogenated…

World exports in 2024
$3.42B
+5.6% vs 2023, imports $3.55B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Indonesia15.9%
  2. Germany13.0%
  3. Malaysia12.4%
Top importers
  1. China14.4%
  2. Netherlands11.7%
  3. United States11.5%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

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

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Lauric acid, based on the data on this page

What is Lauric acid?

Dodecanoic acid is a straight-chain, twelve-carbon medium-chain saturated fatty acid with strong bactericidal properties, the main fatty acid in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It has a role as an antibacterial agent, a plant metabolite and an algal metabolite.

What is the CAS number of Lauric acid?

The CAS registry number of Lauric acid is 143-07-7. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 8000-62-2, 8045-27-0.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Lauric acid?

The molecular formula of Lauric acid is C12H24O2 and its molar mass is 200.32 g/mol.

What is Lauric acid used for?

Alkyd resins, wetting agents, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, insecticides, food additives. Reported uses (ppm): Table: Reported uses (ppm): (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association) [Table#6311]. Plastics -> Typical concentration range in plastic materials -> 1%.

Is Lauric acid hazardous?

Lauric acid carries the GHS signal word "Danger". Main hazards: causes skin irritation, causes serious eye damage, causes serious eye irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Lauric acid?

Lauric acid is usually classified under HS code 291590 (Saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and…). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Lauric acid?

CompoundList lists 226 suppliers of Lauric acid in United States, China, India, Germany and 34 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Lauric acid in India?

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

What is the price of Lauric acid?

Suppliers quote Lauric acid 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 Lauric acid

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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