C18H39NO

C18H39NO is a saturated organic compound containing eighteen carbon atoms, thirty-nine hydrogen atoms, one nitrogen atom and one oxygen atom. The molecular formula indicates that the molecule has no rings or multiple bonds, as the degree of unsaturation is zero. This composition is characteristic of long‑chain aliphatic amines or amides that possess a single hydroxyl or amide functional group.

One common structural representation for C18H39NO is a stearyl‑derived amide in which an 18‑carbon saturated hydrocarbon chain is linked to a nitrogen atom bearing a hydrogen and a hydroxyl group. Such molecules are typically synthesized by the amide formation of stearic acid with an appropriate amine. They are usually obtained as colorless liquids or waxy solids with melting points between 30 °C and 70 °C, depending on the precise substitution pattern. The compound is soluble in non‑polar organic solvents such as hexane, ether and toluene, but shows limited solubility in water.

The stearyl amide analogue of C18H39NO is used in a variety of industrial applications that exploit its surfactant, emulsifying or lubricating properties. It can act as a surface‑active agent in paints, coatings and cosmetics, and as a lubricant additive in industrial machinery. It is also occasionally found as an intermediate in the synthesis of longer‑chain polymers, such as polyamides and polyurethane materials.

In safety evaluations, C18H39NO shows low acute toxicity, with a median lethal dose (LD50) in rats exceeding 5 g kg⁻¹ when administered orally. However, as with many organic amides, it may cause skin and eye irritation upon direct contact. Proper handling, including the use of gloves and eye protection, is advisable when working with concentrated solutions of this compound.