Synonym(s)
CAS No 143-07-7; Dodecanoic acid; lauric acid (INCI); n-dodecanoic acid
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Lauric acid is a saturated carboxylic acid with the molecular formula C12H24O2 and the linear formula:CH3-(CH2)10-COOH0. Lauric acid is derived from the alkane n-dodecane.
Lauric acid occurs naturally as a glycerol ester in coconut oil (see oleum cocos) and laurel oil (oleum lauri - see laurel oil below), as well as a cetyl ester in spermaceti.
Lauric acid has a melting point of 43.7ºC and a boiling point of 227ºC. It is soluble in ether and ethanol and insoluble in water.
The esters and salts of lauric acid are called laurates (systematically also dodecanoates).
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer
Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles