Stearin
Related Category: Organic Chemistry
(stēr´ĭn), fat that is the
triglyceride of stearic acid, CH
3(CH
2)
16CO
2H, i.e., the tristearate ester of glycerol. It is a white crystalline solid at ordinary temperatures and is insoluble in water and very slightly soluble in alcohol. It is found (often mixed with
palmitin) in many hard fats and oils, e.g., in tallow, suet, butterfat, cottonseed oil, and olive oil. It is used in making soap and candles.
