1-Heneicosanol

1-Heneicosanol
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Henicosan-1-ol
Other names
Heneicosanol; Heneicosyl alcohol; Henicosan-1-ol
Identifiers
CAS Number
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.036.051
PubChem CID
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
InChI
  • InChI=1S/C21H44O/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22/h22H,2-21H2,1H3
    Key: FIPPFBHCBUDBRR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES
  • CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCO
Properties
Chemical formula
 C21H44O
Molar mass 312.582 g·mol−1
Appearance White, waxy solid
Melting point 70 °C (158 °F; 343 K)[1]
Boiling point 366 °C (691 °F; 639 K)[2] (estimated, at 760 mmHg)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

1-Heneicosanol (also known as heneicosyl alcohol or heneicosanol) is a long-chain primary alcohol and fatty alcohol with 21 carbon atoms and the molecular formula C21H44O. At room temperature, it is a waxy white solid with a melting point close to 69 °C.[3][4] As a typical long-chain aliphatic alcohol, it is highly hydrophobic and practically insoluble in water.[5] Similar to other fatty alcohols, 1-heneicosanol is used as an intermediate and functional component in the manufacture of surfactants, lubricants, polymer materials and cosmetic formulations.[6][7][8][9]

Structure and properties

1-Heneicosanol is the C21 member of the series of linear, saturated primary alcohols derived formally from heneicosane by substitution of a terminal hydrogen atom with a hydroxyl group. It is classified as a long-chain fatty alcohol.

Commercial material is typically obtained as a white powder or low-melting wax with a reported melting range of about 68–71 °C.[3][4] A safety data compilation and estimation methods indicate a high normal boiling point of around 366 °C at 760 mmHg, consistent with its long carbon chain.[5] The compound has very low solubility in water and a high octanol/water partition coefficient (log P), reflecting its pronounced hydrophobic character.[5]

Natural occurrence

1-Heneicosanol naturally occurs in various flowering plants, such as the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), where it is one of the constituents of the cuticular surface wax,[10] and in napa cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis).[11]

It is also a component of plant-derived policosanol mixtures. A study of green tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves identified heneicosanol (C21-OH) among the major long-chain aliphatic alcohols present in policosanol fractions.[12] Related work has reported the presence of 1-heneicosanol in herbal tea blends based on Himalayan-region plants used as green and black tea substitutes.[13]

A 2021 study analyzing the chemical composition of cow urine by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry found that 1-heneicosanol is one of its major constituents.[14] Subsequent in silico work has examined cow-urine-derived 1-heneicosanol as a ligand for bacterial target proteins using molecular docking and ADME prediction approaches.[15]

Uses

As a representative long-chain fatty alcohol, 1-heneicosanol is used in research and in industrial formulation work as:

  • an intermediate or building block in the synthesis of non-ionic and other surfactants and related functional additives;[6][8]
  • a component of lubricant and plastic additive systems, including thermoplastic polyurethanes, where long-chain alcohols are used to modify flexibility and permeability;[8]
  • a minor constituent of policosanol-type mixtures employed in cosmetics and personal-care products as part of the lipid phase of creams and emulsions.[7][9][5]

Because of its chain length and structural similarity to other fatty alcohols, 1-heneicosanol is also used as a reference compound and analytical standard in studies of plant waxes, policosanol mixtures and related lipid fractions.[12]

Safety

Available safety data sheets describe 1-heneicosanol as a low-volatility solid that is not classified as hazardous under European CLP regulations, but which may cause mild irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract on contact or inhalation of dust.[3][5][16] Standard laboratory precautions such as avoiding dust formation, using local exhaust ventilation and wearing eye and skin protection are recommended.[3][16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Heneicosanol, 99%" (PDF). Acros Organics. 2005-10-03. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  2. ^ "heneicosanol". The Good Scents Company Information System. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  3. ^ a b c d "Material Safety Data Sheet: Heneicosanol, 99%" (PDF). Acros Organics. 2005-10-03. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  4. ^ a b "1-Heneicosanol". TCI. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  5. ^ a b c d e "heneicosanol". The Good Scents Company Information System. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  6. ^ a b "1-Heneicosanol". MedChemExpress. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  7. ^ a b "1-Heneicosanol". ChemImpex. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  8. ^ a b c "Breathable and crosslinkable thermoplastic polyurethane". Google Patents. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  9. ^ a b "Productos que comprenden una hoja y extractos de Camellia sinensis". Google Patents. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  10. ^ Bauer, Stefan; Schulte, Erhard; Thier, Hans-Peter (2004-08-01). "Composition of the surface wax from tomatoes". European Food Research and Technology. 219 (3): 223–228. doi:10.1007/s00217-004-0943-0. ISSN 1438-2385.
  11. ^ Baek, Seung-A; Jung, Young-Ho; Lim, Sun-Hyung; Park, Sang Un; Kim, Jae Kwang (2016-06-01). "Metabolic Profiling in Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis) Cultivars Reveals that Glucosinolate Content Is Correlated with Carotenoid Content". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 64 (21): 4426–4434. Bibcode:2016JAFC...64.4426B. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.6b01323. ISSN 0021-8561. PMID 27172980.
  12. ^ a b Choi, Sol Ji; Chun, Ji-Yeon; Lee, Su-Jin; Park, Sang-Young; Yoon, Min-Seok (2016-08-01). "Contents and compositions of policosanols in green tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves". Food Chemistry. 204: 94–101. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.02.027. ISSN 0308-8146. PMID 26988480.
  13. ^ Kumari, Anita; Kumar, Ravi; Dev, Indra; et al. (2022). "Evaluation of antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of herbal teas manufactured from Western Himalayan plants". Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture. 9 (1): 1–18. doi:10.1186/s40538-022-00294-3. ISSN 2196-5641.
  14. ^ Nautiyal, Vipin; Dubey, R. C. (2021-04-01). "FT-IR and GC-MS analyses of potential bioactive compounds of cow urine and its antibacterial activity". Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 28 (4): 2432–2437. Bibcode:2021SJBS...28.2432N. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.01.041. ISSN 1319-562X. PMC 8071964. PMID 33935568.
  15. ^ Nautiyal, Vipin (2024). "In silico molecular docking analysis and ADME prediction of cow urine derived 1-heneicosanol against some bacterial proteins". Vegetos. 37 (1): 426–432. Bibcode:2024Veget..37..426N. doi:10.1007/s42535-023-00587-4. ISSN 2229-4473.
  16. ^ a b "Safety Data Sheet: Heneicosanol". Glentham Life Sciences. 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
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