Sodium oleate

Sodium oleate, [NaO2C(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7CH3], is an important industrial and laboratory chemical. It finds uses as a surface-active agent, paint ingredient, cosmetic emulsifier, cleanser, minerals floatation agent, waterproofing agent, gelling agent, dispersant, lubricant, etc. Sodium oleate is commonly utilized in the production of cleansers where it is reported to be used at up to 84.7% in bath soaps and detergents. In minerals processing, sodium oleate is most extensively used as a collector for oxide minerals such as hematite, quartz, fluorite, dolomite, and magnesite flotation, where it offers high mineral recoveries through chemisorption. In aqueous solutions, dilute aqueous solutions of sodium oleate self assembles readily into micelles due to its long hydrophobic (C18) alkyl tail and hydrophilic headgroup.