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Emollients

Palmitic acid

Also known as Hexadecanoic acid, Cetylic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid

CAS 57-10-3Formula C16H32O2Molar mass 256.43 g/molEC 200-312-9
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Harmful or irritant 211 suppliers listed Drug substance
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Palmitic acid chemical structure, C16H32O2, CAS 57-10-3
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
White crystalline scales
Melting point
62.5 °C
Boiling point
351.5 °C
Density
0.8527 g/cm³ at 62 °C
Solubility
In water, 0.04 mg/L at 25 °C
HS code
291570
Category
Emollients
Illustrative photo, white flakes in a glass jar on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Palmitic acid?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Hexadecanoic acid is a straight-chain, sixteen-carbon, saturated long-chain fatty acid. It has a role as a plant metabolite, an EC 1.1.1.189 (prostaglandin-E2 9-reductase) inhibitor, a Daphnia magna metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a long-chain fatty acid and a straight-chain saturated fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of a hexadecanoate.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
hexadecanoic acid
CAS number
57-10-3 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
200-312-9
Molecular formula
C16H32O2
UNII
2V16EO95H1
MDL number
MFCD00002747, MFCD00002748
INCI name
PALMITIC ACID
InChIKey
IPCSVZSSVZVIGE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C16H32O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16(17)18/h2-15H2,1H3,(H,17,18)
SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O

Synonyms

  • Hexadecanoic acid
  • Cetylic acid
  • n-Hexadecanoic acid
  • Hexadecylic acid
  • 1-Pentadecanecarboxylic acid
  • n-Hexadecoic acid
  • Hydrofol
  • Palmitinic acid
  • Pentadecanecarboxylic acid
  • hexaectylic acid
  • Industrene 4516
  • Emersol 140
  • Emersol 143
  • Hystrene 8016
  • Hystrene 9016
  • 1-Hexyldecanoic Acid
  • hexadecoic acid
  • Palmitic acid, pure
  • Palmitic acid 95%
  • Kortacid 1698
  • Loxiol EP 278
  • Hydrofol Acid 1690
  • Palmitinsaeure
  • Cetyl acid
  • Pristerene-4934
Show all 38 synonyms
  • Prifac-2960
  • IMEX C 1498
  • Edenor c 16-98-100
  • Hexadecanoate (n-C16:0)
  • Surfaxin component palmitic acid
  • Acidified
  • Acid, Palmitic
  • Acid, Hexadecanoic
  • hexadecanoate, hydron
  • fatty acid 16:0
  • Remedy
  • palmitate
  • Prifac 2960

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 crystalline scalesexp.
Odour
Virtually odorless, slight characteristic odorexp.
Taste
Slight characteristic tasteexp.
Melting point
62.5 °Cexp.
Boiling point
351.5 °Cexp.
Density
0.8527 g/cm³ at 62 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 0.04 mg/L at 25 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
3.8 × 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
256.43 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
256.2402 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
5.55calc.
Topological polar surface area
37.3 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
14calc.
Heavy atoms
18calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.94calc.
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
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H315Causes skin irritation.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements (16)
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • 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.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • 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

Palmitic acid suppliers

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All 211 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

211 suppliers in 37 countries

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Palmitic 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 of metallic palmitates, soaps, lubricating oils, waterproofing, food-grade additives.

Soap/cosmetics agent, non-drying oil (surface coatings).

Reported uses (ppm):

Table: Reported uses (ppm): (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association) [Table#4988].

Constituent of cosmetic formulations, eg, cleansing cream, chemical intermediate (unisolated) in soap manufacture, chemical intermediate for esters, eg, isopropyl palmitate, metallic palmitates, eg, aluminum palmitate, & solvent blue 24.

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

Industrial uses: Soil amendments (fertilizers), Emulsifier, Anti-static agent, Intermediate, Surface modifier, Anti-adhesive/cohesive, Flavoring and nutrient.

Consumer uses: Other, Binder, Lubricating agent, Flavoring and nutrient, Surface modifier, Soil amendments (fertilizers).

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

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name PALMITIC ACID(skin conditioning - emollient, surfactant - emulsifying)

Pharmacological actions

  • Enzyme Inhibitors

Roles

  • Daphnia magna metabolite
  • Daphnia metabolite
  • algal metabolite
  • animal metabolite
  • crustacean metabolite
  • enzyme inhibitor
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • metabolite
  • plant metabolite

Functional uses

  • Anti-adhesive/cohesive
  • Emulsifier
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Lubricating agent
  • Opacifer
  • Plasticizer
  • Processing aids not otherwise specified
  • Softener and conditioner
  • Surfactant (surface active agent)

Cosmetic functions

  • Skin conditioning - emollient
  • Surfactant - emulsifying

Pharmacology

Palmitic Acid is a saturated long-chain fatty acid with a 16-carbon backbone. Palmitic acid is found naturally in palm oil and palm kernel oil, as well as in butter, cheese, milk and meat.

How it is made

Obtained from palm oil, Japan wax, or chinese vegetable tallow.

From spermaceti by saponification and from palm oil, hydrolysis of natural fats. Method of purification: crystallization

From palm acid using selective crystallization, coproduced with oleic acid

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, Regulatory flags: Proposed section 4 test rule

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

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

HS 2915.70Exact HS code

Palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters

World exports in 2024
$1.25B
+23.7% vs 2023, imports $1.13B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Indonesia32.2%
  2. Malaysia23.0%
  3. Singapore6.5%
Top importers
  1. United States10.7%
  2. Germany6.2%
  3. China5.9%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Palmitic acid is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

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

What is Palmitic acid?

Hexadecanoic acid is a straight-chain, sixteen-carbon, saturated long-chain fatty acid. It has a role as a plant metabolite, an EC 1.1.1.189 (prostaglandin-E2 9-reductase) inhibitor, a Daphnia magna metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a long-chain fatty acid and a straight-chain saturated fatty acid.

What is the CAS number of Palmitic acid?

The CAS registry number of Palmitic acid is 57-10-3.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Palmitic acid?

The molecular formula of Palmitic acid is C16H32O2 and its molar mass is 256.43 g/mol.

What is Palmitic acid used for?

Manufacture of metallic palmitates, soaps, lubricating oils, waterproofing, food-grade additives. Soap/cosmetics agent, non-drying oil (surface coatings). Reported uses (ppm): Table: Reported uses (ppm): (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association) [Table#4988].

Is Palmitic acid hazardous?

Palmitic acid carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Palmitic acid?

Palmitic acid is usually classified under HS code 291570 (Palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Palmitic acid?

CompoundList lists 211 suppliers of Palmitic acid in United States, China, India, Germany and 33 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Palmitic acid in India?

23 suppliers in India list Palmitic 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 Palmitic acid?

Suppliers quote Palmitic 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

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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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