Aleuritic Acid

Aleuritic Acid (9, 10, 16-trihydroxypalmitic acid), obtained from shellac by saponification, is a unique acid containing three hydroxyl groups of which two are of adjacent carbon atoms. Aleuritic Acid is moderately soluble in hot water and crystallises out on cooling the solution. It is soluble in the lower alcohols such as methyl, ethyl and isopropyl alcohols. Technical grade Aleuritic Acid (purity 99%) a slight yellow and almost odourless solid, is now manufactured by us. There is a continuous growing demand of aleuritic acid in the fields of perfumery and pharmaceuticals due to it being an excellent starting material for the synthesis of civetone, ambrettolide, isoambrettolide etc, which have the musk like odour.

Uses and Applications
Synthesis of fragrances such as civetone, exaltone, ambrettolide and isoambrettolide. Synthesis of glucose manoaleuritate. The other suggested applications of aleuritic acid are the following:

• • Glucose manoaleuritate (a non-toxic non-hemolytic water-soluble compound) in medicine as an isocaloric substitute for dietary tripalmitin.
• • Preparation of plastics with good adhesive properties by the condensation of aleurtic acid with Pithalic andydride and glycerin, rosin etc.
• • Aleuritic esters for compounding with cellulose esters for the preparation of lacquers, plastics and fibres.

Salient Properties