Polyglyceryl-5 laurate is a chemical compound, ester of lauric acid.

The name defines the structure of the molecule:

• Polyglyceryl-5 refers to a polyglycerin derivative where the average number of glycerin units is 5. Polyglycerine is glycerin polymers, a three-carbon molecule that can be attached to fatty acids to form glycerides.
• Laurate refers to the lauric acid part of the molecule. Lauric acid is a twelve-carbon fatty acid.

Description of raw materials used in production -

• Glycerol - A trihydroxy molecule that serves as the backbone for polyglycerol.
• Lauric acid - A 12-carbon fatty acid that is used to esterify the polyglycerol.

The synthesis process takes place in different steps:

• Preparation. Lauric acid is a fatty acid derived from natural sources such as coconut oil or palm kernel oil. The oil is hydrolyzed to produce fatty acids, which are then separated and purified.
• Polymerization of glycerol. Glycerol is heated under vacuum conditions to induce polymerization, forming Polyglycerol. The number "5" in Polyglyceryl-5 Laurate indicates that on average, 5 glycerol units are polymerized to form Polyglycerol.
• Esterification with lauric acid. Polyglycerol enters into a reaction with lauric acid in an esterification reaction to produce Polyglyceryl-5 Laurate. This reaction involves the formation of an ester bond between the carboxyl group of lauric acid and the hydroxyl group of Polyglycerol. The reaction is catalyzed by an acid and involves heating the reagents to promote the reaction.
• Purification. The reaction mixture is purified to isolate Polyglyceryl-5 Laurate by processes such as distillation, filtration and drying.
• Quality control test. The final product is tested to ensure it meets the required specifications. This may involve testing for molecular weight, purity, moisture content, and other physical and chemical properties.

What it is for and where

Polyglyceryl-5 laurate and related compounds have been studied for various applications, including as supports for enzyme immobilization, in deep eutectic systems for enzymatic synthesis, and as potential permeation enhancers in pharmaceutical formulations.

Cosmetics

It is used in cosmetics to improve the penetration of other substances in microemulsions.

Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and are used to soothe or soften the skin and emulsify, so they need a specific, stabilising ingredient. This ingredient forms a film, lowers the surface tension and makes two immiscible liquids miscible. A very important factor affecting the stability of the emulsion is the amount of the emulsifying agent. Emulsifiers have the property of reducing the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improving the stability of the emulsion and also directly influencing the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating the filmometric performance.

CAS   128738-83-0

Polyglyceryl laurate studies