lauryl alcohol
Noun: 1. A fatty alcohol: Lauryl alcohol is a specific type of organic compound classified as a fatty alcohol, derived from natural sources like coconut or palm oil, or produced synthetically. 2. An industrial chemical: It is a colorless, waxy solid at room temperature, insoluble in water, and primarily used as a raw material or intermediate in manufacturing.
Lauryl alcohol is used almost exclusively in industrial and chemical contexts. * It is a key ingredient for making surfactants and detergents. * Pharmaceutical formulations may use lauryl alcohol as an emulsifier. * In cosmetics, it can be found as a thickener or emollient.
- The chemical formula for lauryl alcohol is C₁₂H₂₆O.
- This detergent is effective because it contains lauryl alcohol as a surfactant precursor.
- The purity of the lauryl alcohol is critical for this pharmaceutical application.
- Technical Specification: In technical documents, lauryl alcohol is often referred to by its systematic name, 1-dodecanol, or as dodecyl alcohol.
- Chemical Intermediate: It is frequently described as an intermediate in the production of lauryl sulfate salts (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate).
- 1-Dodecanol: The IUPAC name for lauryl alcohol.
- Dodecyl Alcohol: A synonym emphasizing its 12-carbon alkyl chain.
- Fatty Alcohol: The broader chemical class to which lauryl alcohol belongs.
- Dodecanol
- Dodecyl alcohol
- 1-Hydroxydodecane
This term is highly specialized. It is not used in everyday conversation but is common in chemistry, industrial manufacturing, and product ingredient lists.
- a colorless insoluble solid alcohol used to make detergents and pharmaceuticals