Ethyl Oleate: Product Profile, Properties, and Real-World Importance

What is Ethyl Oleate?

Ethyl Oleate stands out as a key organic compound forged by the esterification of oleic acid and ethanol. You’ll find it in nature often, showing up in small quantities within animal fats and plant oils, but commercial Ethyl Oleate goes through purification to meet industrial demands. The product has earned a reputation across manufacturing sectors—not because it’s trendy, but because it gets the job done. A typical chemical like this makes people nervous or confused if mislabeled, so it matters to get the facts right and be clear on what it brings to the table.

Chemical Structure and Formula

With its molecular formula C20H38O2, Ethyl Oleate forms as a clear, colorless to light yellow liquid at room temperature, and its molecular weight rounds off at roughly 310.51 g/mol. Chemists recognize it by its long hydrocarbon chain and single ester functional group, showcased in its structure as CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOCH2CH3. What this boils down to: it’s built to blend with both oil-based and fat-like materials, a useful trait in plenty of laboratory and field applications.

Core Physical Properties

Ethyl Oleate boasts a density near 0.87 g/cm³ at 20°C, running thinner than water but thicker than many simple esters. The liquid flows easily and remains stable under standard handling conditions. It’s practically insoluble in water but totally at home in ethanol, chloroform, diethyl ether, and most vegetable oils. Pointing to its real chemical personality, the melting point clocks in around -32°C, keeping it liquid even in refrigeration, and the boiling point edges up beyond 216°C. Unlike substances that turn powdery or flaky, Ethyl Oleate rarely appears as a crystal, solid, or pearl—industry always finds it in liquid form.

Common Specifications and Available Forms

You won’t stumble across Ethyl Oleate as a powder or in flakes. Typical suppliers bottle it up as a pure liquid, sometimes offering it in drums or liter-sized jugs for easy transport. Bulk buyers look for clear liquid, free from odd odors or tinges, with a precise density and low acid value, as these impact both safety and performance in critical applications. The HS Code for international trade sits at 29161500, a detail that ensures proper tracking and legal compliance across borders.

Industrial and Chemical Uses

Manufacturers often use Ethyl Oleate as a processing agent or solvent, especially when dealing with sensitive or pharmaceutical-grade materials. It shows up in raw materials processing for drug delivery, acting as a carrier for lipid-based formulations to increase solubility of poorly soluble drugs. Beyond pharma, it’s a frequent choice for cosmetic emulsions, personal care mixes, and some food preparations where regulation allows. In chemical labs, researchers rely on its gentle solvency and non-crystallizing nature when preparing samples that need to stay in solution for precise measurement or reaction.

Safe Handling, Hazards, and Environmental Impact

Dealing with chemicals means safety stays at the forefront. Ethyl Oleate has a relatively low risk profile compared to harsher organic solvents, but safety data sheets always warn workers about skin and eye contact. While it’s not known to be acutely hazardous or heavily toxic when handled with gloves and goggles, ingestion and large-scale inhalation raise red flags like irritation or, over time, unknown chronic effects. Spills wipe up easily because it doesn’t turn to powder or crystals, but being an oil-ester, it can make surfaces slick and increase the risk of falls. From a wider environmental lens, Ethyl Oleate degrades in soil and water, and it doesn’t persist or bioaccumulate as aggressively as chlorinated solvents. Responsible use and disposal still matter—nobody wants to see glugs of oily waste poured down drains or into landfills. Limit exposure, follow local waste procedures, and consider batch size carefully, especially in labs or production lines running 24/7.

Market and Regulatory Considerations

Global trade never goes smooth unless chemical products meet strict specifications and legal standards, and Ethyl Oleate is no exception. Regulatory authorities watch imports for correct labeling under its HS Code and demand full traceability from feedstock to container. This involves batch testing purity and keeping careful logs on every shipment, reducing the chance of contamination or fakes entering critical supply chains. As someone who values quality in both materials and finished products, I pay attention to these safeguards—loose standards sink businesses and invite legal headaches. With more industries focusing on sustainable sourcing, the push for Ethyl Oleate produced from renewable feedstocks may become the norm sooner rather than later.

Potential Solutions and Best Practices

Reliable supply chains for raw materials like Ethyl Oleate depend on open information, rigorous testing, and transparent safety practices. One way to cut down on handling risks: invest in closed system transfer equipment to eliminate exposure to skin and eyes. End users should demand detailed certificates of analysis and ask their suppliers about base stocks; knowing whether a product comes from synthetic or plant-based sources helps plan for regulatory audits. As an everyday user, I stick to established storage and labeling requirements, steering clear of cross-contamination by dedicating tools and containers for each job. Ongoing training on chemical hazards and real-time reporting of spills or symptoms serve as simple, effective steps to keep workplaces and communities safe while making the most of this versatile material.