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1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoyl Triglyceride: Properties, Structure, and Material Insights

What is 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoyl Triglyceride?

1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoyl Triglyceride stands as a specialized ester formed from one palmitic acid and two oleic acid chains attached to a glycerol backbone. This composition gives the molecule a unique chemical identity, laying the groundwork for its use across a range of industries. Its molecular structure doesn’t just exist in textbooks; it forms the base of products you’d find in both scientific labs and commercial supply streams. As a raw material, its molecular formula is C55H104O6, with a molecular weight calculated at approximately 861.42 g/mol, arming formulators and chemists with raw numbers needed for precise application planning.

Product Forms, Specifications, and Physical Characteristics

Manufacturers supply 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoyl Triglyceride in physical forms such as flakes, powder, pearls, and occasionally as a solid or viscous liquid, depending on processing temperature and purity level. In many rooms I’ve worked in, this compound arrives as waxy, off-white flakes with a tendency to clump under warmth, making storage conditions matter for product quality. It melts rather easily in the hand, with a melting point near 22°C, which gives it a buttery texture that feels slick and non-granular. Many labs prefer the flake or pearl form for its ease of weighing and incorporation into complex solutions, though powder versions exist for specific blending. Speaking about its density, expect a value – in the range of 0.89–0.92 g/cm³ – typical for medium-to-long chain triglycerides and useful when calculating dosages in solution-based work. This density may shift slightly with the material’s temperature and form.

Chemical Structure and Molecular Properties

Looking at the molecule, two oleic acid chains occupy the first and third positions on the glycerol (sn-1,3) while palmitic acid sits at the sn-2, middle spot. This arrangement shapes the physical and chemical properties. Oleic acid provides unsaturation, creating fluidity, while palmitic acid’s saturation grants a certain rigidity. This balance makes it a choice material where both flexibility and structure are essential, such as in cosmetic creams and certain pharmaceutical excipients. Chemical properties like saponification value, iodine value (which indicates degree of unsaturation), and refractive index carry real meaning for specialists. For instance, an iodine value in the range of 70–80 suggests a moderate level of unsaturation, contributing to stability but still offering softness at room temperature. The triglyceride’s crystalline state depends on how rapidly it cools from a melt; slow cooling favors large crystalline domains, while quick cooling yields a smoother, finer texture, influencing its use in lipid-based drug delivery and emollient blends.

Material Safety, Hazardous Properties, and Handling

Experience shows that 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoyl Triglyceride generally fits into the category of non-toxic, non-hazardous substances for most practical laboratory uses. It doesn’t emit harmful fumes, nor does it react violently under typical storage or blending conditions. Anyone handling this material according to standard chemical hygiene practices—like using gloves, goggles, and working in a ventilated area—faces few real risks. The chemical stands out for its low reactivity with water and compatibility with a host of other organic ingredients. Spills, while slippery, present minimal health risk and are easy to manage with absorbent materials. If incorporated into sunscreen, lotions, or food-grade products, regulatory guidelines around purity and allowable contaminants kick in, but raw material specs routinely meet these thresholds, given the highly refined state in which it usually ships. For transport, suppliers label it under the Harmonized System (HS) Code for fats and oils, often 1516.20, streamlining customs clearance processes.

Density, State, and Applications in Solution

Practical use of 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoyl Triglyceride stretches from bulk storage in drums or pails to preparation of liter-scale solutions in laboratory glassware. Its low density compared to water means it floats in washes, which plays a role during separation steps in purification routines. In emulsified formulations, whether for pharmaceuticals or cosmetics, it brings both a soft mouthfeel and gentle occlusivity, driven by its balanced lipid structure. Liquid or semi-solid at warm room temperatures, it dissolves easily in organic solvents but resists rapid breakdown in aqueous solutions, which adds to its appeal for encapsulation or as a texture modifier. Its crystalline form, achieved through cooling, boasts a pearlescent sheen, making it visually attractive in personal care blends.

Raw Materials, Value, and Solutions to Material Sourcing

The main raw feedstocks for synthesis come from vegetable oil derivatives—primarily palm or olive sources for palmitic and oleic acids, and refined glycerol from biodiesel byproducts or industrial fermentation. This supply chain links chemical processing with agricultural practices, raising sustainability questions that matter in today’s ingredient market. Certification against deforestation and sourcing from reputable suppliers creates pressure for transparent, responsible production, which benefits both industrial buyers and consumers. Gaining assurance about purity or byproduct content requires close partnerships with suppliers who are open regarding their own manufacturing and refining practices. For those seeking alternatives during raw material shortages, structurally related triglycerides can stand in, but performance characteristics shift, so reformulation often becomes necessary. Besides, industry-wide moves towards biodegradable, safer chemicals push for even higher transparency and regulatory compliance, making E-E-A-T principles both a consumer and supplier demand.

Future Prospects, Science, and Regulatory Considerations

In real-world practice, the future of 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoyl Triglyceride looks tied to ongoing trends in clean-label ingredients, sustainability, and safer, multi-functional chemicals. Regulatory frameworks such as REACH in Europe or TSCA in the US guide the substance’s use, packaging, and labeling. Accurate structural description, property documentation, and inclusion of detailed spec sheets meet not only compliance but help buyers and technical experts make sound choices grounded in reliable facts. With its mild behavior, low toxicity, non-hazardous rating, and physically adaptable forms—flakes, powder, pearls, solid or liquid—the triglyceride continues to find new uses where a blend of softness, stability, and safety matters. As raw material quality and provenance rise in importance, the need for deep, factual transparency grows, bringing chemistry and consumer values ever closer together.