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 Zinc Stearate

1 Nonproprietary Names SEM 1: Excipient: zinc stearate; magnification: 600.

BP: Zinc Stearate
PhEur: Zinc Stearate
USP: Zinc Stearate

2 Synonyms
Cecavon; Demarone; dibasic zinc stearate; HyQual; Kemilub;
Metallac; stearic acid zinc salt; Synpro; zinc distearate; zinc
octadecanoate; zinc soap; zinci stearas.

3 Chemical Name and CAS Registry Number

Octadecanoic acid zinc salt [557-05-1]

4 Empirical Formula and Molecular Weight

C36H70O4Zn 632.33 (for pure material)
The USP 32 describes zinc stearate as a compound of zinc with a
mixture of solid organic acids obtained from fats, and consists
chiefly of variable proportions of zinc stearate and zinc palmitate. It
contains the equivalent of 12.514.0% of zinc oxide (ZnO).
The PhEur 6.0 states that zinc stearate [(C17H35COO)2Zn] may
contain varying proportions of zinc palmitate [(C15H31COO)2Zn]
and zinc oleate [(C17H33COO)2Zn]. It contains not less than 10.0% SEM 2: Excipient: zinc stearate; magnification: 2400.
and not more than 12.0% of zinc.

5 Structural Formula
See Section 4.

6 Functional Category
Tablet and capsule lubricant.

7 Applications in Pharmaceutical Formulation or

Technology
Zinc stearate is primarily used in pharmaceutical formulations as a
lubricant in tablet and capsule manufacture at concentrations up to
1.5% w/w. It has also been used as a thickening and opacifying
agent in cosmetic and pharmaceutical creams, and as a dusting
powder. See Table I.

Table I: Uses of zinc stearate.

Use Concentration (%)

Tablet lubricant 0.51.5
Water-repellent ointments 2.5

NIR spectra see Figure 1.

Particle size distribution 100% through a 44.5-mm sieve (#325

Z
8 Description mesh).
Zinc stearate occurs as a fine, white, bulky, hydrophobic powder, Solubility Practically insoluble in ethanol (95%), ether, water, and
free from grittiness and with a faint characteristic odor. oxygenated solvents; soluble in acids, benzene, and other
aromatic solvents.
9 Pharmacopeial Specifications
See Table II. 11 Stability and Storage Conditions
Zinc stearate is stable and should be stored in a well-closed
10 Typical Properties container in a cool, dry place.
Autoignition temperature 4218C
Density 1.09 g/cm3 12 Incompatibilities
Flash point 2778C Zinc stearate is decomposed by dilute acids. It is incompatible with
Melting point 1201228C; 1308C also reported.(1,2) strong oxidizing agents.

79 3
 7 94 Zinc Stearate

Table II: Pharmacopeial specifications for zinc stearate. 15 Handling Precautions

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and
Test PhEur 6.0 USP 32 quantity of material handled. Eye protection and gloves are
Identification recommended. Zinc stearate may be harmful on inhalation and
Characters should be used in a well-ventilated environment; a respirator is
Acidity or alkalinity recommended. In the UK, the long-term (8-hour TWA) workplace
Alkalis and alkaline earths 41.0% exposure limit for zinc stearate is 10 mg/m3 for total inhalable dust
Appearance of solution and 4 mg/m3 for respirable dust. The short-term (15-minutes)
Acid value of the fatty acids 195210 workplace exposure limit for total inhalable dust is 20 mg/m3.(2) In
Appearance of solution of fatty acids
the USA, the OSHA limit is 15 mg/m3 for total dust, 5 mg/m3
Arsenic 41.5 ppm
Cadmium 45 ppm respirable fraction for zinc stearate.(3)
Lead 425 ppm 40.001% When heated to decomposition, zinc stearate emits acrid smoke
Chlorides 4250 ppm and fumes of zinc oxide.
Sulfates 40.6%
Assay (as Zn) 10.012.0% 16 Regulatory Status
Assay (as ZnO) 12.514.0%
GRAS listed. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database
(oral capsules and tablets). Included in nonparenteral medicines
2.0 0.2 licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable
1000 [2nd deriv. log(1/R)]

2326
2340 Non-medicinal Ingredients.
2295 2364
1748
17 Related Substances
0.0 log(1/R) Calcium stearate; magnesium stearate; stearic acid.
1215
1764
2441
1731
2387
18 Comments
2352 The EINECS number for zinc stearate is 209-151-9.
See Magnesium Stearate for further information and references.

2313
19 Specific References
4.0 0.2 1 Sigma-Aldrich. Material safety data sheet: Zinc stearate,. 2008.
1100 1300 1500 1700 1900 2100 2300 2500 2 ScienceLab.com, Inc. Material safety data sheet: Zinc stearate,. 2008.
Wavelength/nm 3 Ueda A. Experimental study on the pathological changes in lung tissue
caused by zinc stearate dust. Ind Health 1984; 22: 243253.
4 Health and Safety Executive. EH40/2005: Workplace Exposure Limits.
Figure 1: Near-infrared spectrum of zinc stearate measured by Sudbury: HSE Books, 2005 (updated 2007). http://www.hse.gov.uk/
reflectance. coshh/table1.pdf (accessed 25 February 2009).
5 Mallinckrodt Baker Inc. Material safety data sheet: Zinc stearate, 2007.
13 Method of Manufacture http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/z4275.htm (accessed 25 Feb-
ruary 2009).
An aqueous solution of zinc sulfate is added to sodium stearate
solution to precipitate zinc stearate. The zinc stearate is then washed 20 General References
with water and dried. Zinc stearate may also be prepared from
Oxford University. Material safety data sheet: Zinc stearate, 2007. http://
stearic acid and zinc chloride. msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/ZI/zinc_stearate.html (accessed 25 February 2009).
Ferro Corp. Product information: Synpro. http://www.ferro.com (accessed
14 Safety 25 February 2009).
Zinc stearate is used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formula-
tions, and is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant 21 Author
excipient. However, following inhalation, it has been associated LV Allen Jr.
with fatal pneumonitis, particularly in infants.(1) As a result, zinc
stearate has now been removed from baby dusting powders. 22 Date of Revision
LD50 (rat, IP): 0.25 g/kg 25 February 2009.