Calcium Laurate (4696-56-4) Physical and Chemical Properties
Calcium Laurate
Calcium laurate is the calcium salt of lauric acid used as an emulsifier, anticaking agent and surfactant ingredient for food, personal care and industrial formulations.
| CAS Number | 4696-56-4 |
| Family | Calcium fatty acid salts |
| Typical Form | Powder or crystalline solid |
| Common Grades | EP |
Calcium laurate is an ionic calcium salt of a saturated medium‑chain fatty acid (lauric/dodecanoic acid) and belongs to the family of metal carboxylates (soap salts). Structurally it is best represented as a calcium(II) ion coordinated by two laurate anions; stoichiometrically the compound corresponds to \(\ce{C24H46CaO4}\) and is commonly named calcium bis(dodecanoate). The molecular architecture combines hydrophobic aliphatic tails (C12 chains) with carboxylate headgroups, producing an amphiphilic solid that typically forms particulate, low‑solubility aggregates rather than molecularly dissolved species in water.
Electronically, the material is an ionic lattice in the solid state with formal overall neutral composition (computed formal charge = 0). In polar media partial dissociation to \(\ce{Ca^{2+}}\) and two \(\ce{C12H23O2^-}\) is expected; in less polar phases the long hydrocarbon chains impart strong hydrophobic character and limited aqueous solubility. Acid–base behavior is governed by the carboxylate ⇌ carboxylic acid equilibrium: under strongly acidic conditions protonation yields lauric acid (\(\ce{C12H24O2}\)), and in the presence of chelating agents or stronger counterions cation exchange can occur. The saturated C12 chain is comparatively resistant to autoxidation relative to unsaturated fatty acids; oxidative degradation is therefore slow under typical storage conditions, while thermal decomposition can yield complex mixtures at elevated temperatures.
Common commercial grades reported for this substance include: EP.
Basic Physical Properties
Physical description and computed bulk properties indicate a solid ionic soap. The experimentally recorded physical description is: Dry Powder.
Reported computed and structural parameters (as provided): - Molecular formula: \(\ce{C24H46CaO4}\) - Molecular weight: 438.7 - Exact mass / Monoisotopic mass: 438.3022008 - Topological polar surface area (TPSA): 80.3 - Heavy atom count: 29 - Formal charge: 0 - Complexity: 127 - Hydrogen bond donor count: 0 - Hydrogen bond acceptor count: 4 - Rotatable bond count: 18
These descriptors are consistent with a low‑polarity, high‑molecular‑weight salt composed of two long alkyl chains and multiple oxygen acceptor sites on the carboxylate groups.
Solubility and Hydration
No experimentally established value for this property is available in the current data context.
Qualitatively, calcium salts of long‑chain fatty acids (calcium soaps) exhibit limited dissolution in water and tend to form fine dispersions, suspensions, or insoluble particulates rather than true molecular solutions. Hydration behavior can vary with particle size, counterion balance, and presence of solubilizing agents; some metal carboxylates form hydrated or loosely associated structures, but specific hydrate stoichiometries for calcium laurate are not provided here.
Thermal Stability and Decomposition
No experimentally established value for this property is available in the current data context.
Class behavior: metal carboxylates of saturated fatty acids are thermally stable under moderate heating but undergo decomposition at elevated temperatures where organic moieties break down and complex residues form. The decomposition pathway can include decarboxylation, cleavage of the alkyl chain, and formation of inorganic residues; thermal behavior is strongly dependent on atmosphere (air vs inert), heating rate, and sample purity.
Chemical Properties
Complex Formation and Coordination
Calcium laurate functions as a divalent metal carboxylate where calcium ions coordinate carboxylate oxygens from two laurate anions. Coordination environments in similar calcium carboxylates range typically from octahedral to higher coordination numbers depending on bridging modes; carboxylate groups frequently act as bridging ligands that link metal centers and produce polymeric or layered solids. The IUPAC name reported for the compound is calcium bis(dodecanoate), reflecting the 1:2 Ca:laurate stoichiometry.
The amphiphilic nature of the laurate anion favors formation of lamellar or micelle‑like aggregates in formulations where sufficient polar solvent and counterions are present; in nonpolar media the solid behaves largely as a hydrophobic particulate.
Reactivity and Stability
No experimentally established numeric reactivity thresholds are provided in the current data context.
Qualitative reactivity notes: - Acid sensitivity: exposure to strong acids will protonate carboxylate groups to regenerate lauric acid, altering physical state and solubility. - Salt exchange and chelation: strong complexing agents or replacement cations (e.g., sodium, potassium) can exchange with calcium producing different metal soaps with altered solubility and physical properties. - Oxidative stability: the saturated C12 chains are relatively resistant to oxidative degradation under typical storage; however prolonged exposure to high temperatures or strong oxidants will eventually degrade organic chains. - Hydrolytic stability: as a carboxylate salt, hydrolysis to free fatty acid is not a hydrolytic reaction per se but is controlled by protonation equilibria; the compound is chemically stable under neutral to mildly basic conditions.
Molecular Parameters
Molecular Weight and Composition
- Molecular formula: \(\ce{C24H46CaO4}\)
- Molecular weight: 438.7
- Exact mass: 438.3022008
- Monoisotopic mass: 438.3022008
Elemental composition corresponds to two dodecanoate (laurate) residues complexed with a single calcium ion. Computed structural counts (TPSA, rotatable bonds, H‑bond counts) are provided above and reflect the dual carboxylate functionality combined with long flexible alkyl chains.
LogP and Ionization State
No experimentally established value for logP (partition coefficient) is available in the current data context.
Qualitatively: the bulk material is an ionic salt (computed formal charge = 0 overall) composed of charged components that in polar solvents can dissociate to \(\ce{Ca^{2+}}\) and two \(\ce{C12H23O2^-}\) anions. The long hydrocarbon chains confer a strong lipophilic character to the organic anions; consequently, calcium laurate behaves as a particulate amphiphile with poor water solubility but effective surface activity in formulations where particles or dispersions are employed.
Identifiers and Synonyms
Registry Numbers and Codes
- CAS RN: 4696-56-4
- EC (European Community) number: 225-166-3
- UNII: 0YIV695L8O
- DSSTox Substance ID: DTXSID30890592
- HMDB ID: HMDB0303348
- Nikkaji Number: J98.116H
- Wikidata: Q27237356
Structural identifiers (machine formats):
- SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)[O-].CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)[O-].[Ca+2]
- InChI: InChI=1S/2C12H24O2.Ca/c2*1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12(13)14;/h2*2-11H2,1H3,(H,13,14);/q;;+2/p-2
- InChIKey: HIAAVKYLDRCDFQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L
(Inline structural strings above are provided in the explicit code formats as supplied.)
Synonyms and Structural Names
Reported systematic and common names include: - calcium bis(dodecanoate) (IUPAC) - Calcium laurate - Calcium dodecanoate - Dodecanoic acid, calcium salt (2:1) - Lauric acid, calcium salt - Calcium dilaurate - Calcium;dodecanoate
MeSH entry terms: lauric acid, calcium salt
Several alternative depositor‑supplied synonyms and registry labels are associated with the compound; the principal commercial identifier often used in specifications is calcium laurate.
Industrial and Commercial Applications
Use as Salt Form or Excipient
As a calcium salt of a fatty acid, the substance serves functional roles derived from its amphiphilic and particulate properties. Typical functional uses reported for this chemical class include anticaking/free‑flow agent, emulsifier or emulsifier salt, lubricant/release agent, and surfactant agent in personal care formulations. In polymeric or coating formulations calcium fatty acid salts can act as internal lubricants, stabilizers, or barrier/sealant modifiers that alter surface energy and flow.
Representative Use Cases
- Food industry: used as an anticaking or free‑flow agent in powdered ingredients and as an emulsifier or release/lubricant additive in certain food processing applications.
- Personal care and cosmetics: employed as a surfactant or stabilizer where particulate metal soaps confer specific rheological or surface properties; formulation use expects non‑irritating concentrations and appropriate neutralization.
- Industrial formulations: used in adhesives, sealants, and barrier coatings to modify slip, tack, or barrier performance; also included as an internal lubricant in polymer processing.
- General formulation practice: selected where a low‑solubility metal soap is needed to impart hydrophobicity while retaining some surface activity.
If a concise application summary is required for procurement or formulation development, selection is guided by the general properties described above (particle form, amphiphilicity, and compatibility with the target matrix).
Safety and Handling Overview
Toxicological Considerations
Most available classifications report that the substance does not meet criteria for classification under standard hazard schemes; reported GHS summaries indicate "Not Classified" for the majority of supplier notifications. A cosmetic safety assessment conclusion consistent with safe use in current practices has been reported when formulations are designed to be non‑irritating and non‑sensitizing.
As a metal soap of a saturated fatty acid, acute systemic toxicity is generally low, but inhalation of powders/dusts and repeated dermal exposure may cause irritation in susceptible individuals. The material should be handled with standard industrial hygiene practices.
Storage and Handling Guidelines
- Store in a cool, dry, well‑ventilated area in tightly closed containers to minimize moisture uptake and dust formation.
- Minimize generation and dispersion of dust; use local exhaust ventilation when handling powders.
- Personal protective equipment: wear suitable gloves and eye protection; use respiratory protection if airborne concentrations exceed occupational exposure limits or if dust is generated.
- Avoid contact with strong acids or oxidizing agents; avoid exposure to open flames at elevated temperatures.
- For detailed hazard, transport and regulatory information, users should refer to the product‑specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and local legislation.
