tetradecyl

Tetradecyl is a term used in organic chemistry to denote a straight-chain alkyl group containing 14 carbon atoms. It is typically written as C14H29− when described as a substituent, and is commonly referred to as n-tetradecyl or tetradecyl. In many contexts, the same group is called myristyl, a name that appears in fatty acid and cosmetic chemistry.

Structurally, the tetradecyl substituent is a linear chain of 14 carbon atoms with a single bond available for attachment to another molecule at one end. The fully saturated form has the formula C14H29 when detached from a parent hydrocarbon. The usual representation for the substituent is CH3-(CH2)12-CH2−, indicating a terminal attachment point at the last CH2 group.

Tetradecyl is widely used as a hydrophobic tail in a variety of derivatives and surfactants. Examples include tetradecyl alcohol (also called myristyl alcohol), tetradecyl sulfate, and tetradecyltrimethylammonium salts. These compounds find applications in cosmetics, personal care products, and industrial surfactants, where the long hydrocarbon chain contributes to lipophilicity and the surfactant’s surface-active properties. In cosmetic formulations, tetradecyl groups often appear in emollients and conditioning agents, contributing to texture and spreadability.

Nomenclature around this group can vary; however, tetradecyl, n-tetradecyl, and myristyl are commonly used to describe the straight-chain 14-carbon alkyl substituent. Related terms include lauryl (C12), cetyl (C16), and stearyl (C18) for neighboring chain lengths.