DESCRIPTION

Sorbitan Monostearate occurs as an off-white to tan colored, hard, waxy solid. It is a mixture of partial stearic and palmitic acid esters of sorbitol and its mono- and dianhydrides. It is manufactured by reacting edible commercial stearic acid (usually containing associated fatty acids, chiefly palmitic) with sorbitol. It is soluble at temperatures above its melting point in toluene, dioxane, ether, ethanol, methanol, and aniline. It is insoluble in cold water, and in mineral spirits and acetone, but is dispersible in warm water and soluble, with haze, above 50° in mineral oil and in ethyl acetate.