What is Sorbitan Laurate and how does it compare across the sorbitan-ester series?
Sorbitan laurate (CAS 1338-39-2, C18H34O6) is a nonionic sorbitan monoester of lauric acid (C12). Within the non-ethoxylated sorbitan-ester family it is the shortest-chain, relatively highest-HLB member, used as a W/O co-emulsifier, wetting agent and dispersant. Ethoxylating this ester with about 20 moles EO gives the water-soluble counterpart, Polysorbate 20. Bulk quantities are sourced to specification.
SORBITAN LAURATE- ▸ Emulsifier: Stabilizes emulsions in food, cosmetic, and personal-care formulations.
- ▸ Stabilizer and thickener: Controls texture and consistency of emulsified systems.
- ▸ Textile finishing: Acts as a fiber lubricant, softener, and antistatic agent.
- ▸ Surfactant: Functions as a low-HLB nonionic surface-active agent.
| Grade | Fatty acid | Ester | CAS No. | Mol. formula | Mol. wt (g/mol) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sorbitan Laurate you are here | Lauric (C12) | Mono | 1338-39-2 | C18H34O6 | 346.5 |
| Sorbitan Monostearate | Stearic (C18) | Mono | 1338-41-6 | C24H46O6 | 430.6 |
| Sorbitan Oleate | Oleic (C18:1) | Mono | 1338-43-8 | C24H44O6 | 428.6 |
| Sorbitan Isostearate | Isostearic (C18) | Mono | 71902-01-7 | C24H46O6 | 430.6 |
| Sorbitan Tristearate | Stearic (C18) | Tri | 26658-19-5 | C60H114O8 | 963.5 |
How to choose: These are the non-ethoxylated, lipophilic (low-HLB) sorbitan fatty-acid esters — the W/O counterparts to the water-soluble polysorbates. The mono-esters (laurate, stearate, oleate, isostearate) act as W/O emulsifiers, co-emulsifiers and dispersants; ethoxylating each one gives its matching polysorbate (sorbitan laurate gives Polysorbate 20, sorbitan oleate gives Polysorbate 80). The tri-ester (tristearate) is the most lipophilic, lowest-HLB member. Pairing a low-HLB sorbitan ester with a high-HLB polysorbate is the standard route to a stable emulsion at a target HLB.
HLB system: how to choose an emulsifier · Polysorbates (Tween-type): high-HLB partners · Browse all products
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Sorbitan laurate (CAS 1338-39-2) is a nonionic ester of sorbitol and lauric acid. It is used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener in foods, cosmetics, and medicinal products, and as a fiber lubricant and softener in the textile industry.
Applications of Sorbitan Monolaurate
| Sector | Use |
|---|---|
| Personal care & cosmetics | A co-emulsifier and wetting agent for water-in-oil and oil-in-water systems, fragrances and emulsions. |
| Food & beverage | Emulsifier and defoamer (E493) in food processing. |
| Pharmaceutical & life science | A nonionic excipient and emulsifier. |
| Industrial | Wetting agent, dispersant and emulsifier in textile, cleaning and agrochemical formulations. |
HLB and grade selection
Sorbitan Monolaurate has an HLB of ~8.6, so it is lipophilic and oil-soluble and favours water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. It is the oil-soluble partner to a hydrophilic polysorbate: pairing it with Polysorbate 20 (HLB ~16.7) lets you set a target system HLB for a stable emulsion, and it also serves as a consistency factor and dispersant. Grades range from multicompendial pharmaceutical (NF / USP / EP) and food (FCC) to technical/industrial, with kosher and halal certification available; match the grade and compendial status to your application and jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sorbitan laurate used for?
Sorbitan laurate (CAS 1338-39-2) is a nonionic ester of sorbitol and lauric acid used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener in food, cosmetic, and personal-care formulations, and as a fiber lubricant, softener, and antistatic agent in textile finishing. It functions as a low-HLB nonionic surfactant.
What is another name for sorbitan laurate?
Sorbitan laurate (CAS 1338-39-2) is part of the sorbitan ester family and is the laurate (C12) member. PEG-80 sorbitan laurate is a separate, ethoxylated derivative and is not the same material. Each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis.
Is sorbitan laurate an ionic or nonionic surfactant?
It is a nonionic surfactant, a sorbitol ester carrying no charge, which makes it broadly compatible across pH ranges and with other ionic ingredients. Its low HLB suits water-in-oil systems and co-emulsifier roles. See the technical data sheet for HLB.
What is the CAS number and formula for sorbitan laurate?
Sorbitan laurate carries CAS 1338-39-2 and formula C18H34O6. It is supplied as a nonionic emulsifier suitable for food, cosmetic, and textile applications; specify your intended use so we can confirm the appropriate grade and documentation.
What is the cost of bulk sorbitan laurate?
Bulk pricing depends on order volume and packaging (pails, drums, or totes). Submit a bulk RFQ with quantity and delivery point and we will return a current quote with Certificate of Analysis and SDS.