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Palmitic acid

Palmitic acid, or hexadecanoic acid in IUPAC nomenclature, is the most common saturated fatty acid found in animals, plants and microorganisms. Its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)14COOH, and its C:D is 16:0. As its name indicates, it is a major component of the oil from the fruit of oil palms (palm oil). Palmitic acid can also be found in meats, cheeses, butter, and dairy products. Palmitates are the salts and esters of palmitic acid. The palmitate anion is the observed form of palmitic acid at physiologic pH (7.4).
Aluminium salts of palmitic acid and naphthenic acid were combined during World War II to produce napalm. The word “napalm” is derived from the words naphthenic acid and palmitic acid.

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Further Information

Names

Preferred IUPAC name: Hexadecanoic acid

Other names

Palmitic acid
C16:0 ()

Identifiers

CAS Number: 57-10-3

JSmol: Interactive image

ChEMBL: ChEMBL82293

ChemSpider: 960

ECHA InfoCard: 100.000.284

IUPHAR/BPS: 1055

PubChem: 985

Properties

Chemical formula: C16H32O2

Molar mass: 256.43 g·mol

Appearance: white crystals

Density: 0.852 g/cm (25 °C)
0.8527 g/cm (62 °C)33

Melting point: 62.9 °C (145.2 °F; 336.0 K)

Boiling point: 351–352 °C (664–666 °F; 624–625 K)
271.5 °C (520.7 °F; 544.6 K)
at 100 mmHg
215 °C (419 °F; 488 K)
at 15 mmHg

Solubility in water: 0.46 mg/L (0 °C)
0.719 mg/L (20 °C)
0.826 mg/L (30 °C)
0.99 mg/L (45 °C)
1.18 mg/L (60 °C)

Solubility: amyl acetate

Solubility: 2 g/100 mL (0 °C)
2.8 g/100 mL (10 °C)
9.2 g/100 mL (20 °C)
31.9 g/100 mL (40 °C)

Solubility: 7.81 g/100 g

Solubility: 10.7 g/100 g

Vapor pressure: 0.051 mPa (25 °C)
1.08 kPa (200 °C)
28.06 kPa (300 °C)

K: 4.75

Magnetic susceptibility: -198.6·10 cm/mol−63

Refractive index: 1.43 (70 °C)

Viscosity: 7.8 cP (70 °C)

Thermochemistry

Specific
heat capacity: 463.36 J/mol·K

Std molar
entropy: 452.37 J/mol·K

Std enthalpy of
formation: -892 kJ/mol

Std enthalpy of
combustion: 10030.6 kJ/mol

Hazards

GHS pictograms:

GHS signal word: Warning

GHS hazard statements: H319

GHS precautionary statements: P305+351+338

NFPA 704:

Flash point: 206 °C (403 °F; 479 K)

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their(at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their(at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Infobox references