Polysorbate 85 (Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Trioleate) | Bulk Supplier, CAS 26266-57-9

At a Glance

Material Family

Surfactants - Nonionic

Record Type

Pure compound

Primary Role

Surfactancy · Wetting

Solubility

Soluble at temperatures above its melting point in ethanol, methanol, ether, ethyl acetate, aniline, toluene, dioxane, petroleum ether and carbon tetrachloride. Insoluble in cold water but dispersible in warm water

Functional Roles

Surfactancy Wetting Emolliency

INCI Name

SORBITAN PALMITATE

CosIng Functions

SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Industries Served

Beauty & Personal Care HI&I Cleaning

Applications & Use Cases

▸ Emulsification: Low-HLB nonionic emulsifier for water-in-oil and lipid-rich systems
▸ Dispersing: Disperses oils and oil-soluble components in formulated products
▸ Stabilizing: Surface-active stabilizer in cosmetic and industrial emulsions

Physical Properties

Solubility

Soluble at temperatures above its melting point in ethanol, methanol, ether, ethyl acetate, aniline, toluene, dioxane, petroleum ether and carbon tetrachloride. Insoluble in cold water but dispersible in warm water

Safety & Handling

Full SDS available on request

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 →

HS / Tariff Classification

Harmonized System (HS) Code — 6-digit international heading

3402 . 42

Chapter 34

Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing and lubricating preparations, waxes

Heading 34.02

Internationally harmonized (WCO HS)

Subheading 3402.42

6-digit international code — national tariff line adds further digits

Chemical Identity

CAS Number

26266-57-9

Molecular Formula

C22H42O6

Molecular Weight

402.6 g/mol

IUPAC Name

[(2R)-2-[(2R,3R,4S)-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]-2-hydroxyethyl] hexadecanoate

INCI Name

SORBITAN PALMITATE

PubChem CID

16212480

InChI Key

IYFATESGLOUGBX-YVNJGZBMSA-N

Synonyms & Trade Names

Span 40 SORBITAN MONOPALMITATE Arlacel 40 Palmitate de sorbitan Sorbitani palmitas Sorbitan palmitate INS NO.495 INS-495 D-Glucitol, 1,4-anhydro-, 6-hexadecanoate 1,4-Anhydro-D-glucitol, 6-hexadecanoate E-495 2-(3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl hexadecanoate Sorbitan, monohexadecanoate Sorbitan monohexadecanoate Glycomul P

Full Description

Polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate (CAS 26266-57-9), also called polysorbate 85, is a nonionic surfactant built from sorbitan, three oleic-acid chains, and ethylene-oxide units. Its low hydrophile-lipophile balance suits it to emulsification, dispersing, and stabilizing duty in cosmetic, food, and industrial formulations. Sorbitan-ester polysorbates are established surface-active agents and emulsifiers across these sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sorbitan trioleate / polysorbate 85 used for?

Polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate (CAS 26266-57-9), also called polysorbate 85, is a low-HLB nonionic surfactant used for emulsification of water-in-oil and lipid-rich systems, dispersing oils and oil-soluble components, and stabilizing emulsions. It is applied across cosmetic, food, and industrial formulations.

What is polysorbate also known as?

Polysorbates are sorbitan-ester surfactants identified by number; this grade, polysorbate 85, is the trioleate. Its formula is C22H42O6-based on a sorbitan backbone with three oleic-acid chains plus ethylene-oxide units.

What is another name for polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate?

The monooleate is polysorbate 80, a separate, higher-HLB grade. The trioleate offered here is polysorbate 85; confirm the grade by CAS and number when ordering, since HLB and use differ between them.

Why does polysorbate 85 have a low HLB?

Its three oleic-acid chains make it more lipophilic than mono-ester polysorbates, lowering the hydrophile-lipophile balance. That low HLB suits it to water-in-oil and lipid-rich emulsion duty rather than high-HLB oil-in-water solubilization.

What packaging and documentation are available for bulk polysorbate 85?

Nonionic polysorbate surfactants ship in drums, totes, or IBCs. Request a bulk quote with your target volume and packaging, and we will provide availability along with the CoA and SDS.

Related Products

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.

Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Trioleate (Polysorbate 85)