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Monomers and industrial chemicals

Stearic acid vs palmitic acid

Stearic acid (C18H36O2, CAS 57-11-4) and palmitic acid (C16H32O2, CAS 57-10-3) are both listed under emollients.

Stearic acid has a molar mass of 284.48 g/mol, palmitic acid 256.43 g/mol.

Measured boiling points are 371 °C for stearic acid and 351.5 °C for palmitic acid.

Both carry the GHS signal word Warning.

On CompoundList, 558 suppliers list stearic acid and 211 suppliers list palmitic acid.

Data last updated 7 October 2026

Stearic acid and palmitic acid compared side by side
Stearic acid chemical structure, C18H36O2, CAS 57-11-4
Stearic acid
Palmitic acid chemical structure, C16H32O2, CAS 57-10-3
Palmitic acid
Identity
Name in our databaseStearic acidPalmitic acid
CAS number57-11-457-10-3
Molecular formulaC18H36O2C16H32O2
Molar mass284.48 g/mol256.43 g/mol
IUPAC nameoctadecanoic acidhexadecanoic acid
EC number200-313-4200-312-9
Physical properties
AppearanceMonoclinic leaflets from alcoholWhite crystalline scales
Melting point69.3 °C62.5 °C
Boiling point371 °C351.5 °C
Density0.9408 g/cm³ at 20 °C0.8527 g/cm³ at 62 °C
Flash point113 °CNot recorded
SolubilityIn water, 0.568 mg/L at 25 °CIn water, 0.04 mg/L at 25 °C
LogP (octanol/water)Computed from the structure6.335.55
Safety (GHS)
Signal wordWarningWarning
Pictograms
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Hazard statements
  • H315 Causes skin irritation.
  • H315 Causes skin irritation.
  • H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
Uses and classification
Uses and functions
  • Emollients
  • Emulsifiers
  • Surfactants and cleansing agents
  • Fragrance ingredients
  • Daphnia magna metabolite
  • Daphnia metabolite
  • Emollients
  • Emulsifiers
  • Biochemical and pharmacological tools
  • Daphnia magna metabolite
  • Daphnia metabolite
  • Algal metabolite
CategoryCosmetic ingredients › EmollientsCosmetic ingredients › Emollients
HS code291570Palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters291570Palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters
Market on CompoundList
Suppliers558 suppliers211 suppliers
Supplier countries62 countries, most in United States, India, China37 countries, most in United States, China, India
Price rangeOnly prices set by suppliers who manage their own profilePrice on requestPrice on request

Measured and computed values as shown on each chemical page, plus live listings on CompoundList. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Safety data is a summary, not an SDS.

Stearic acid
Palmitic acid

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