Title: Petrolatum
Additional Names: Petroleum jelly; paraffin jelly; vasoliment
Trademarks: Cosmoline (E. F. Houghton); Saxoline; Stanolene (Amoco); Vaseline (Chesebrough)
Literature References: Purified mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons, chiefly of the methane series of the general formula CnH2n+2. Actually, petrolatum is a colloidal system of nonstraight-chain solid hydrocarbons and high-boiling liq hydrocarbons, in which most of the liq hydrocarbons are held inside the micelles. Detailed historical account including chemistry and modern mfg methods: Schindler, Drug Cosmet. Ind. 89, 36-37, 76, 78-80, 82 (1961).
Properties: Yellowish to light amber or white, semisolid, unctuous mass; practically odorless and tasteless. d2560 0.820-0.865. mp 38-54°. nD60 1.460-1.474. White petrolatum is transparent in thin layers even at 0°. Practically insol in water, glycerol, alcohol. Sol in benzene, chloroform, ether, petr ether, carbon disulfide, oils.
Melting point: mp 38-54°
Index of refraction: nD60 1.460-1.474
Density: d2560 0.820-0.865
Use: As ointment base in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Lubricating firearms and machinery, leather grease, shoe polish, rust preventives, modeling clays. |