Stearin

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Stearin[1]
IUPAC name	1,3-Di(octadecanoyloxy)propan-2-yl octadecanoate
Other names	Tristearin; Trioctadecanoin; Glycerol tristearate; Glyceryl tristearate
Identifiers
CAS number	[555-43-1]
PubChem	11146
SMILES	CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC(COC(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC)OC(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Properties
Molecular formula	C57H110O6
Molar mass	891.48 g/mol
Appearance	White powder
Density	0.862 g/cm3 at 80 °C
Melting point	55 °C, 328 K, 131 °F
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references

Stearin (pronounced /ˈstiːrɪn/), or tristearin, is a triglyceride, a glyceryl ester of stearic acid, derived from animal fats created as a byproduct of processing beef. It can also be found in tropical plants such as palm. It is used as tallow in the manufacture of candles and soap. In the manufacture of soap, stearin is mixed with a sodium hydroxide solution in water. The following reaction gives glycerin and sodium stearate, which can be used as soap:

C₃H₅(C₁₈H₃₅O₂)₃ + 3 NaOH → C₃H₅(OH)₃ + 3 C₁₇H₃₅COONa

stearin + 3 sodium hydroxide → glycerol + 3 sodium stearate

Stearin is also used in conjunction with aluminium flakes to help in the grinding process in making dark aluminium powder.

Stearin is a side product obtained during the extraction of cod liver oil removed during the chilling process at temperatures below -5 °C.

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