DESCRIPTION

Stearic Acid occurs as a hard, white or faintly yellow, somewhat glossy and crystalline solid or as a white or yellow-white powder. It is a mixture of solid organic acids obtained from fats consisting chiefly of Stearic Acid (C₁₈H₃₆O₂) and palmitic acid (C₁₆H₃₂O₂). Stearic Acid is practically insoluble in water. One g dissolves in about 20 mL of alcohol, in 2 mL of chloroform, and in about 3 mL of ether.