Calcium stearate

Calcium stearate

Names
IUPAC name Calcium octadecanoate
Other names E470
Identifiers
CAS Number	1592-23-0 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL2106092 N
ChemSpider	14587 Y
Jmol 3D model	Interactive image
PubChem	15324
UNII	776XM7047L Y
InChI InChI=1S/2C18H36O2.Ca/c2*1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18(19)20;/h2*2-17H2,1H3,(H,19,20);/q;;+2/p-2 Y Key: CJZGTCYPCWQAJB-UHFFFAOYSA-L Y InChI=1/2C18H36O2.Ca/c2*1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18(19)20;/h2*2-17H2,1H3,(H,19,20);/q;;+2/p-2 Key: CJZGTCYPCWQAJB-NUQVWONBAL
SMILES [Ca+2].[O-]C(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC.[O-]C(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Properties
Chemical formula	C36H70CaO4
Molar mass	607.03 g·mol−1
Appearance	white to yellowish-white powder
Density	1.08 g/cm3
Melting point	155 °C (311 °F; 428 K)
Solubility in water	0.004 g/100 mL (15 °C)
Solubility	soluble in hot pyridine slightly soluble in oil insoluble in alcohol, ether
Vapor pressure	{{{value}}}
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Calcium stearate is carboxylate of calcium that is found in some lubricants and surfactants. It is a white waxy powder.

Production and occurrence

Calcium stearate is produced by heating stearic acid, a fatty acid, and calcium oxide:

2 C₁₇H₃₅COOH + CaO → (C₁₇H₃₅COO)₂Ca + H₂O

It is also the main component of soap scum, a white solid that forms when soap is mixed with hard water. Unlike soaps containing sodium and potassium, calcium stearate is insoluble in water and does not lather well. Commercially it is sold as a 50% dispersion in water or as a spray dried powder. As a food additive it is known by the generic E number E470.

Applications

• Calcium stearate is used as a flow agent in powders including some foods (such as Smarties), a surface conditioner in hard candies such as Sprees, a waterproofing agent for fabrics, a lubricant in pencils and crayons.
• The concrete industry uses calcium stearate for efflorescence control of cementitious products used in the production of concrete masonry units i.e. paver and block, as well as waterproofing.
• In paper production, calcium stearate is used as a lubricant to provide good gloss, preventing dusting and fold cracking in paper and paperboard making.
• In plastics, it can act as an acid scavenger or neutralizer at concentrations up to 1000ppm, a lubricant and a release agent. It may be used in plastic colorant concentrates to improve pigment wetting. In rigid PVC, it can accelerate fusion, improve flow, and reduce die swell.
• Applications in the personal care and pharmaceutical industry include tablet mold release, anti-tack agent, and gelling agent.
• Calcium stearate is a component in some types of defoamers.
• Used as a stabilizing agent in the forming of jawbreakers.