sorbitan Chem.
(ˈsɔːbɪtæn)
[f. sorbitol + anhydride.]
Any of a number of cyclic ethers which are monoanhydrides of sorbitol; spec. the 1,4-anhydride, CH2OH·CHOH·CH·(CHOH)2·CH2O, a colourless crystalline solid. Freq. attrib. in names of fatty-acid esters of these compounds, which are used as emulsifiers and surfactants.
| 1938 Industr. & Engin. Chem. Nov. 1222/2 The inner ether hypothesis was further tested by substituting a mixture of preformed sorbitol inner ethers, or sorbitans, for the sorbitol. 1950 Kirk & Othmer Encycl. Chem. Technol. V. 688 Anhydrides of certain hexahydric alcohols and their derivatives, as sorbitan and polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters of fatty acids, are used as emulsifiers and also possess emollient properties. 1958 Martindale's Extra Pharmacopœia (ed. 24) 696 The ether-esters, such as sorbitan oleate, are active water-in-oil emulsifying agents, while the polyoxyethylene derivatives mostly produce oil-in-water emulsions. 1969 tr. Schönfeldt's Surface Active Ethylene Oxide Adducts iv. 607 A composition containing glycine, phosphoric acid, and, e.g...ethoxylated sorbitan monolaurate as adduct, or sorbitan mono-oleate, is recommended as an antioxidant for fats. 1976 Nature 26 Aug. 777/2 By use of surfactants such as sorbitan stearates, water can be emulsified in hydrocarbon solvents and then readily supercooled. |