Introduction:
- Oleic acid is a hydrophobic compound that is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
- It has high thermal stability and oxidation resistance.
- Oleic acid is somewhat corrosive and can react with certain metals.
Application:
1.Oleic acid is included in normal human diet as part of animal fats and vegetable oil.
2.Oleic acid as its sodium salt is a major component of soap as an emulsifying agent.
3.It is also used as emollient. Small amounts of oleic acid are used as an excipient in pharmaceuticals, 4.Oleic acid is used as an emulsifying or solubilizing agent in aerosol products.
5.Oleic acid is also used to induce lung damage in certain types of animals, for the purpose of testing new drugs and other means to treat lung diseases.