9-Octadecenoic acid (9Z)- ester with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol stands out as an organic compound built on the backbone of oleic acid and trimethylolpropane. Known commonly as TMP trioleate or trimethylolpropane trioleate, this molecule forms from the esterification of three moles of 9-octadecenoic acid (commonly called oleic acid) with one mole of trimethylolpropane. People familiar with this material probably know it as a specialty ester, a base ingredient in the world of lubricants, plastics, cosmetics, and sometimes food-grade products. In the world of chemistry, its molecular formula looks like C60H110O6, with a molecular weight around 943.5 g/mol. This creates a hefty, oily molecule that handles a lot without breaking down.
Color usually ranges from clear yellow to light amber, forming a thick, viscous liquid at room temperature. The ester does not freeze up like regular fats, as its molecular setup resists solidification under typical ambient storage. Pour point often tracks well below zero degrees Celsius, a key benefit in cold environments. In most labs, density falls between 0.945 and 0.955 g/cm3 at 20°C. Viscosity numbers stretch from 35 to 45 mm2/s at 40°C—much thicker than water, showing why it fits perfectly in high-performance lubricant recipes. Odor stays faint, almost non-existent, and the compound will not dissolve in water. Instead, it blends smoothly into nonpolar solvents and oils. Acid value, saponification value, and iodine value, all important for technical recipes, stay consistent for this grade, offering good predictability for industrial users.
The molecular structure presents a core made up of trimethylolpropane, with each hydroxyl slot esterified with 9-octadecenoic acid tails. Three fatty acid chains wrap around the triol core, giving the molecule its familiar flexibility and flow at normal temperatures. This esterification locks the fatty acids in place, preventing hydrolysis under basic handling. The molecule comes in liquid form, rarely as a crystal or powder, unless processed under unusual cooling or solvent precipitation. While some esters form crystals, this one’s long, unsaturated chains keep it fluid, perfect for blending into lubricants and personal care products alike.
Industry workers recognize this chemical as a core base oil for biodegradable lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and advanced metalworking fluids. The triple-oleic acid structure resists hydrolytic breakdown—vital for gear oils, compressor oils, and machinery oils working under stress. It feels soft on the skin, which opens doors for cosmetic emulsions, bath oils, and creams. Its HS Code most often appears as 29163990 under “Other esters of fatty acids,” fitting international shipment and tariff classifications. For companies moving raw materials across borders, this code keeps customs paperwork straightforward and transparent.
Unlike simple monoglycerides or diglycerides, the trimethylolpropane ester group provides enhanced oxidative stability, letting this chemical last longer under heat. Material comes in drums, totes, or bulk tanker shipments, always as a viscous liquid—powder and flakes do not appear for this chemical unless mistakenly produced in very low temperatures, which most suppliers avoid. It does not break apart under pressure, and the oily sheen leaves storage tanks and application tools easy to clean, as long as warm water and detergent are available. Samples rarely crystalize; in practice, storage down to -10°C rarely causes issues, but at very low temperatures, material becomes more sluggish to pour.
Direct handling generally carries low acute toxicity—workers describe a bland, oily texture with no burning or itching on standard contact. Inhalation presents little risk due to negligible vapor pressure. Spills on floors require degreasing, as the surface gets slippery, but otherwise, incident reports rarely mention serious harm. It does not qualify as a hazardous material under regular GHS classification. Fire risk parallels most vegetable and synthetic oils—keep away from open flame and hot surfaces, and extinguish with carbon dioxide, foam, or a suitable powder. Large volumes in industrial use demand standard chemical hygiene protocols: gloves, eye protection, splash guards. Biodegradability sits in the favorable range. For disposal, waste management follows normal oily wastewater rules, without the strict measures triggered by halogenated or aromatic hydrocarbons.
The backbone of the molecule, trimethylolpropane, comes from petrochemical or biobased streams, depending on the origin of the starting propionaldehyde. The fatty acid part sources from high-oleic vegetable oils—sunflower, canola, or sometimes palm oil. To reach food and pharma safety levels, the esterification should exclude toxic catalysts, keeping products free from trace heavy metals or solvents. Refining, bleaching, and deodorizing steps further purify the final oil. Commercial quality grades split into technical, cosmetic, and food, marked by stricter control of acid value, peroxide value, and color for the higher grades.
Supply chain stability sometimes creates headaches, especially if vegetable oil prices spike or shortages hit the propylene market. Price, purity, and sustainability all hang in the balance. Facilities working with this ester regularly invest in supplier audits and backward tracing, making sure what arrives matches documentation. For batches destined for the cosmetics or food industry, independent quality checks prevent adulteration and off-spec deliveries. In the push for more sustainable, non-petroleum-based chemicals, the future will likely see more certified “green” trimethylolpropane and biobased oleic acid, helping reduce the environmental impact of these specialty esters. On the production side, process upgrades to close-loop esterification, solventless processing, and upgraded filtration minimize by-product waste. For users, switching from mineral oil or less biodegradable esters gives end products a story of safer, more ecological content, which more customers start to demand across both industrial and consumer markets.
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