Lauryl

Lauryl is a chemical naming term used to denote a 12-carbon saturated alkyl group derived from lauric acid. In practice, lauryl indicates a hydrophobic alkyl tail in a wide range of compounds, and it is often used interchangeably with the term dodecyl in industry. The lauryl group is typically represented as C12H25− when detached as a substituent.

Common lauryl-containing compounds include lauryl alcohol (dodecanol, C12H26O), and various surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS; NaC12H25SO4) and its ethoxylated derivatives (for example, sodium laureth sulfate, SLES). Other examples are lauryl glucosides and lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, which employ the lauryl tail in different functional contexts. The term lauroyl is distinct from lauryl: lauroyl refers to the acyl group derived from lauric acid (C11H23CO−), whereas lauryl denotes the alkyl tail itself (C12H25−).

Origins and sources: Lauryl groups arise from lauric acid, a 12-carbon saturated fatty acid common in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. Lauryl-containing compounds are widespread in cosmetics, detergents, and personal-care products due to their surfactant and foaming properties. In laboratory and industrial settings, lauryl sulfates are used for cleansing and protein denaturation (as with detergents and electrophoresis reagents), while other lauryl derivatives serve as emulsifiers, stabilizers, or intermediates in chemical syntheses.

Safety and environmental notes: Lauryl-based surfactants can cause skin or eye irritation for some individuals and may affect aquatic ecosystems in high concentrations. They are generally biodegradable, but product formulation and concentration determine environmental impact.