Isopropyl Palmitate

Isopropyl palmitate (IPP) is the ester of palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid) and isopropanol, with molecular formula C19H38O2 and molecular weight 298.51, CAS number 142-91-6. At room temperature it is a colorless to light yellow transparent oily liquid, melting at 11-13°C with a freezing point at or below 16°C and a boiling point of 160°C (see specifications), density (20°C) 0.852-0.854 g/mL and refractive index (specification) 1.4350-1.4390; it is soluble in alcohol and ether and insoluble in water (see specifications). GC assay ≥98.0, acid value ≤0.5, iodine value ≤1.0 and moisture ≤0.2% (see specifications). Compared with the homolog isopropyl myristate (C17H34O2, molecular weight 270.45, melting point 3°C), this product has two more carbons in the chain and a melting range 8-10°C higher (each per its own page's specifications); both are fatty acid isopropyl ester emollient raw materials. This page lists release-control items only; this product is not registered as a pharmaceutical excipient, and suitability for pharmaceutical use must be assessed by the buyer under applicable drug regulations.

Downstream applications include cosmetics, personal care, color cosmetics and industrial lubricants. Literature-reported emollient and conditioning uses include improving the spreadability of creams and lotions (per public literature; finished-product skin feel is verified in each formula); where end products contact the skin, compliance follows the target market's regulations, and buyers are responsible for confirming use compliance. Its use as a pigment-wetting and dispersion carrier in color cosmetics appears in published literature (per public literature). The product is also used as a topical-formulation solvent and in metalworking fluids and textile auxiliaries; where the downstream application is pharmaceutical, registration and compliance requirements are assessed by the buyer under applicable drug regulations.

Downstream applications include use as an emollient ester raw material in creams, lotions, hair conditioners and other emulsion or cleansing formulas. Literature-reported emollient and skin-feel conditioning uses include improving spreadability (per public literature; finished-product skin feel is verified in each formula) (for cosmetic uses: permitted uses and limits follow the target market's current regulations). GC assay ≥98.0 and acid value ≤0.5 (see specifications) can be checked item by item against this page for acid-sensitive formulas; with a freezing point at or below 16°C (see specifications), appearance should be re-checked after cold-season storage or transport before use.

Published literature reports its use as a pigment-wetting and dispersion carrier in color cosmetics (per public literature) (for cosmetic uses: permitted uses and limits follow the target market's current regulations). The product is an oil-soluble ester, soluble in alcohol and ether and insoluble in water (see specifications); pigment pre-treatment and dispersion processes are verified in the actual formulation, and finished-product stability and color development are verified in the finished formula.

The product can be used as a base oil or additive for metalworking fluids and textile auxiliaries; such uses are industrial, and process suitability and blending schemes are assessed on the buyer's own production lines.