Applications
A saturated fatty acid. Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid used in hair care, cosmetics, soaps, paint, rubber, food, pharmaceuticals, animal feed and textiles. It is used to prepare sodium palmitate which is a natural additive in organic products. It is involved in the preparation of cetyl alcohol utilized in the preparation of detergents and cosmetics.

Solubility
Soluble in hot alcohol, acetone, benzene, ethyl ether, amyl acetate, propyl alcohol and chloroform. Slightly soluble in cold alcohol and petroleum ether. Insoluble in water.

Notes
Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents and bases.