Behenyl Behenate
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I. Basic Information
Behenyl Behenate is a long-chain saturated fatty acid ester derived from behenic acid and behenyl alcohol, belonging to the wax ester category. Key identifiers include:
CAS Number: 17671-27-1
EINECS Number: 241-646-5
Molecular Formula: C₄₄H₈₈O₂
Molecular Weight: 649.17 g/mol
It appears as white to yellowish hard granules at room temperature, with both natural plant-based and synthetic variants available. Recognized as safe for cosmetics, typical usage levels range from 1-20% in formulations.
II. Physical & Chemical Properties
Behenyl Behenate exhibits distinct properties defining its industrial utility:
Physical State: Solid (white to yellowish hard granules)
Density: 0.856 g/cm³ at 25°C
Melting Point: 70-75°C
Boiling Point: 627.1°C at 760 mmHg
Solubility: Water-insoluble, compatible with organic solvents
Stability: Chemically and thermally stable under normal conditions
Its high hydrophobicity index (XLogP3 = 21.7) contributes to excellent occlusive properties in cosmetic formulations.
III. Production Methods
Industrial production follows a standardized four-step process:
Raw Material Preparation: Use high-purity behenic acid and behenyl alcohol (≥99% purity) as feedstocks.
Esterification Reaction: Mix in specific molar ratios with acidic catalysts, reacting at 80-120°C for 4-8 hours.
Purification: Remove unreacted materials via vacuum distillation, then crystallize under optimized conditions (30°C, 1:12 material-liquid ratio, repeated 3 times).
Drying & Packaging: Dry to obtain white waxy granules, then package in moisture-resistant containers.
This process ensures product purity ≥95% and consistent batch quality.
IV. Applications
Behenyl Behenate is widely used across industries due to its emollient, structuring, and gelling properties:
4.1 Cosmetics & Personal Care
Emollient: Forms an occlusive barrier to reduce transepidermal water loss and deliver long-lasting hydration.
Structuring Agent: Provides hardness and stability to stick cosmetics (lipsticks, deodorants) as a natural beeswax alternative.
Thickening Agent: Improves texture and viscosity of creams/lotions, enhancing spreadability and sensory experience.
Exfoliant Replacement: Biodegradable substitute for polyethylene microbeads.
4.2 Industrial Applications
Wood Coating: Non-hazardous, biodegradable component in industrial wood coatings.
Pharmaceuticals: Potential excipient in controlled-release drug delivery systems.
V. Application Cases
5.1 Cosmetic Gel Hardness Enhancement
Adding 30% Behenyl Behenate to candelilla wax-based sticks increased gel hardness by 400% compared to pure wax formulations, forming a stable crystal network structure that outperformed paraffin wax-based products.
5.2 Vegan Lipstick Formulation
A leading brand developed vegan lipsticks using Behenyl Behenate as the primary structuring agent, achieving 72-hour color retention, thermal stability at 45°C, and compliance with vegan certifications.
5.3 Natural Moisturizing Cream
A dermatologist-recommended cream with 5% Behenyl Behenate reduced transepidermal water loss by 35% after 28 days, improving skin elasticity with no adverse reactions in sensitive skin tests.
Shanghai Better Chemical Co., Ltd. was established in 2005, specializing in fatty alcohols, fatty acids, glycerin, white oil, and petroleum jelly. These products serve a wide range of industries, including personal care, flavor & fragrance, textiles, plastics, food, pharmaceuticals, stationery, construction, and coatings. With 21 years of professional experience, the company has earned consistent recognition across the industry and established partnerships with over 4,000 clients. It maintains a skilled technical team, efficient warehouse operations, high-quality pre- and after-sales services, and lightning-fast logistics. We look forward to collaborating with you. For inquiries, please call: +86 21 5102 9963.