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Emollients

Linoleic acid

Also known as Linolic acid, (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid, Telfairic acid

CAS 60-33-3Formula C18H32O2Molar mass 280.45 g/molEC 200-470-9
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Flammable 109 suppliers listed
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Linoleic acid chemical structure, C18H32O2, CAS 60-33-3
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless oil
Melting point
-6.9 °C
Boiling point
230 °C
Density
0.9022 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Solubility
In water, 1.59 mg/L at 25 °C
HS code
291615
Category
Emollients
Illustrative photo, clear colourless liquid in a glass reagent bottle on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Linoleic acid?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Linoleic acid is an octadecadienoic acid in which the two double bonds are at positions 9 and 12 and have Z (cis) stereochemistry. It has a role as a plant metabolite, a Daphnia galeata metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is an octadecadienoic acid and an omega-6 fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of a linoleate.

Linoleic acid is a chemical compound and essential nutrient.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid
CAS number
60-33-3 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 2197-37-7, 30175-49-6, 506-21-8, 8024-22-4, 80969-37-5, 85594-37-2
EC numbers
200-470-9, 287-896-9, 617-024-8
Molecular formula
C18H32O2
UNII
9KJL21T0QJ
MDL number
MFCD00004435, MFCD00064241
INCI name
DILINOLEIC ACID, LINOLEIC ACID
InChIKey
OYHQOLUKZRVURQ-HZJYTTRNSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C18H32O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18(19)20/h6-7,9-10H,2-5,8,11-17H2,1H3,(H,19,20)/b7-6-,10-9-
Canonical SMILES
CCCCCC=CCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O
Isomeric SMILES
CCCCC/C=C\C/C=C\CCCCCCCC(=O)O

Synonyms

  • Linolic acid
  • (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid
  • Telfairic acid
  • cis,cis-Linoleic acid
  • 9,12-Linoleic acid
  • Unifac 6550
  • Emersol 315
  • alpha-Linoleic acid
  • cis-9,cis-12-Octadecadienoic acid
  • 9Z,12Z-Linoleic acid
  • cis,cis-9,12-Octadecadienoic acid
  • Emersol 310
  • (Z,Z)-9,12-Octadecadienoic acid
  • Extra Linoleic 90
  • 9Z,12Z-octadecadienoic acid
  • 9-cis,12-cis-Linoleic acid
  • all-cis-9,12-Octadecadienoic acid
  • Leinoleic acid
  • 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (9Z,12Z)-
  • Ronacare asc 3
  • 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-
  • 9-cis,12-cis-Octadecadienoic acid
  • (9Z,12Z)-Octadecadienoic acid
  • cis-delta9,12-Octadecadienoic acid
  • C18:2 (n-6)
Show all 38 synonyms
  • [z,z]-9,12-octadecadienoic acid
  • 9 trans,12 trans Octadecadienoic Acid
  • Linoleic Acid, (E,E)-
  • 9,12 Octadecadienoic Acid
  • Fatty Acid 18:2 n-6
  • Acid, 9,12-Octadecadienoic
  • Cis, cis-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid
  • 9-trans,12-trans-Octadecadienoic Acid
  • Linoleic
  • (9Z,12Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid
  • acide linoleique
  • cis-9, cis-12-octadecadienoic acid
  • (Z,Z)-Octadeca-9, 12-dienoic 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 oilexp.
Melting point
-6.9 °Cexp.
Boiling point
230 °Cexp.
Density
0.9022 g/cm³ at 20 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 1.59 mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
8.68 × 10⁻⁷ mm Hg at 25 °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
280.45 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
280.2402 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
5.88calc.
Topological polar surface area
37.3 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
14calc.
Heavy atoms
20calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.72calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (1 violation)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS02: Flammable
Flammable

Hazard statements

  • H226Flammable liquid and vapour.
Precautionary statements (11)
  • P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P233Keep container tightly closed.
  • P240Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
  • P241Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment.
  • P242Use non-sparking tools.
  • P243Take action to prevent static discharges.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P303 + P361 + P353If on skin (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
  • P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
  • P403 + P235Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

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

Linoleic acid suppliers

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All 109 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

109 suppliers in 21 countries

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Linoleic 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

Manufacture paints, coatings, emulsifiers, vitamins. Aluminum salt used to manufacture lacquers.

Soaps, special driers for protective coatings, emulsifying agents, feeds, biochemical research, dietary supplement, margarine.

Industrial uses: Intermediate, Surfactant (surface active agent), Lubricating agent.

Consumer uses: Lubricating agent.

Use classes: Skin Conditioning Agents, Safer Chemical Classes, Surfactants, Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name DILINOLEIC ACID(skin conditioning - emollient, skin conditioning)

Roles

  • Daphnia galeata metabolite
  • Daphnia metabolite
  • algal metabolite
  • animal metabolite
  • anti-asthmatic agent
  • anti-obesity agent
  • antineoplastic agent
  • crustacean metabolite
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • hypoglycemic agent
  • metabolite
  • pharmaceutical
  • plant metabolite

Functional uses

  • Anti-static agent
  • Cleaning agent
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Processing aids not otherwise specified
  • Softener and conditioner
  • Surfactant (surface active agent)

Cosmetic functions

  • Antistatic
  • Cleansing
  • Hair conditioning
  • Skin conditioning
  • Skin conditioning - emollient
  • Surfactant - cleansing

Pharmacology

Linoleic Acid is a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid found mostly in plant oils. It is used in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and cell membranes.

How it is made

Linoleic acid may be prepared from edible fats and oils by various methods including hydrolysis and saponification, the Twitchell method, low pressure splitting with catalyst, continuous high pressure counter current splitting, and medium pressure autoclave splitting with catalyst.

Grape-seed oil is a valuable oil obtained from the grapeseed left in winery pomace. The oil content averages 15% (dry weight basis).

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory

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 Linoleic acid is traded under.

HS 2916.15Indicative HS code

Oleic, linoleic or linolenic acids, their salts and esters

World exports in 2024
$204M
−5.6% vs 2023, imports $199M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Italy20.3%
  2. China14.4%
  3. India * partner reported8.0%
Top importers
  1. Germany18.4%
  2. France * partner reported8.7%
  3. China5.9%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

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

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

Frequently asked questions

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

What is Linoleic acid?

Linoleic acid is an octadecadienoic acid in which the two double bonds are at positions 9 and 12 and have Z (cis) stereochemistry. It has a role as a plant metabolite, a Daphnia galeata metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is an octadecadienoic acid and an omega-6 fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of a linoleate.

What is the CAS number of Linoleic acid?

The CAS registry number of Linoleic acid is 60-33-3. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 2197-37-7, 30175-49-6, 506-21-8.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Linoleic acid?

The molecular formula of Linoleic acid is C18H32O2 and its molar mass is 280.45 g/mol.

What is Linoleic acid used for?

Manufacture paints, coatings, emulsifiers, vitamins. Aluminum salt used to manufacture lacquers. Soaps, special driers for protective coatings, emulsifying agents, feeds, biochemical research, dietary supplement, margarine. Industrial uses: Intermediate, Surfactant (surface active agent), Lubricating agent.

Is Linoleic acid hazardous?

Linoleic acid carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: flammable liquid and vapour. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Linoleic acid?

Linoleic acid is usually classified under HS code 291615 (Oleic, linoleic or linolenic acids, their salts and esters). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Linoleic acid?

CompoundList lists 109 suppliers of Linoleic acid in China, United States, India, Germany and 17 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Linoleic acid in India?

8 suppliers in India list Linoleic 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 Linoleic acid?

Suppliers quote Linoleic 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 Linoleic 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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