Sorbitan, tri-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate (CAS 26266-58-0) — Citrus None Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Citrus · Floral

Sorbitan, tri-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate

CAS 26266-58-0

Origin
synthetic
Note
None
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Sorbitan, tri-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate?

Sorbitan trioleate is a synthetic compound used primarily as an emulsifier in cosmetics and personal care products. It helps blend oil and water components in creams, lotions, and fragrances. Consumers encounter it in moisturizers, makeup, and some perfumes as a stabilizing agent. While odorless itself, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of scented products by preventing separation of ingredients.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ Approved for cosmetic use worldwide
✓ Non-toxic at typical usage levels
CAS
26266-58-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Citrus · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Sorbitan, tri-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate Smell Like?

Sorbitan trioleate is essentially odorless, functioning as a neutral carrier rather than a fragrant material. Its chemical structure lacks volatile groups that would contribute to aroma. In formulations, it serves as an invisible backbone – like the canvas for a painter – allowing other fragrant compounds to shine without interference.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Sorbitan trioleate

SMILES: CCCCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC(C1C(C(CO1)O)OC(=O)CCCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC)OC(=O)CCCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Sorbitan trioleate is a synthetic ester formed from sorbitan and oleic acid. It belongs to the class of nonionic surfactants, specifically polyoxyethylene derivatives. The molecule features three oleate chains attached to a sorbitan core, creating an amphiphilic structure that can interact with both polar and nonpolar substances. Industrially, it’s produced through esterification reactions under controlled conditions.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearancePale yellow viscous liquid
SolubilitySoluble in oils, insoluble in water

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
None
Volatility
Non-volatile
Blending
Structural
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Emulsions1-5%Up to 10%Primary emulsifier
Fragrance Fixative0.5-2%Up to 5%Stabilizes volatile compounds

Classic Accords

Tip: Use as a base for oil-soluble fragrance compounds to improve longevity.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Polysorbate 80 CAS 9005-65-6

Water-soluble alternative with similar emulsifying properties but different HLB value.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions apply to this material.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM has evaluated similar sorbitan esters as safe for current cosmetic uses.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, sorbitan trioleate production relies on petrochemical feedstocks. However, its high efficiency at low concentrations and biodegradability make it relatively environmentally favorable compared to some alternatives. Future green chemistry approaches may enable bio-based production routes.

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References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary for Sorbitan trioleate PubChem

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 26266-58-0

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight957.5 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)21.5🔬 PubChem
log Kp (skin permeability)6.724💻 Calculated
SMILESCCCCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC(C1C(C(CO1)O)OC(=O)CCCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC)OC(=O)CCCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC🔬 PubChem

Odor & Flavor

Functional Groupsesteralcoholetheralkene💻 RDKit
Data Sources & Attribution
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID6027892

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 957.5 g/mol🔬 PubChem

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 21.5 Log10 unitless🔬 PubChem

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 108.36 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 1 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 8 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 50 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 284.82 cm^3/mol💻 Computed

Data Sources:

🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.

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