Spermaceti

From Free net encyclopedia

Spermaceti (from Latin sperma, seed, and cetus, whale), is a wax found in the head cavities and blubber of the Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus), where it is dissolved in the sperm oil while the creature is living; it also occurs in other cetacea (see whale oil). At a temperature of about 6 °C, the solid matter separates in a crystalline condition, and when purified by pressure and treatment with a weak solution of caustic alkali, it forms brilliant white crystalline scales or plates, that are hard but oily to the touch, and are devoid of taste or smell.

It is quite insoluble in water, very slightly affected by boiling alcohol, but easily dissolved in ether, chloroform, and carbon disulfide. Spermaceti consists principally of cetyl palmitate (ester of cetyl alcohol and palmitic acid), C₁₅H₃₁COO-C₁₆H₃₃. The substance was formerly used in making candles of a standard photometric value, in the dressing of fabrics, and in medicine and surgery, especially in cerates and ointments, and in cosmetic preparations.

A botanical alternative to spermaceti is jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis) which is also a straight-chain wax ester and liquid at room temperature. A derivative of jojoba oil, jojoba esters, C₂₀H₄₁COO-C₂₀H₄₁ is chemically even more similar to spermaceti and may be used in many of the same applications.

Esters of cetyl alcohol and jojoba oil are used as a substitute for spermaceti.

References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition{{#if:{{{article|}}}| article {{#if:{{{url|}}}|[{{{url|}}}}} "{{{article}}}"{{#if:{{{url|}}}|]}}{{#if:{{{author|}}}| by {{{author}}}}}}}, a publication now in the public domain.de:Walrat

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