Database/Film Forming/Acetyl Triethyl Citrate
Mostly natural · ISO 16128

Is Acetyl Triethyl Citrate natural?

Mostly. Citric-acid backbone and ethanol are fermentation-derived; the acetyl cap traces to petrochemical acetic anhydride.

INCI nameAcetyl Triethyl Citrate
CAS77-89-4
FormulaC14H22O8 · 318.32 Da
FunctionFilm Forming · Fragrance
FeedstockMade by triple-esterifying fermentation citric acid with ethanol,…

How we scored it

Citrate core (fermentation) 188.1 Da + 3× ethyl (bioethanol, natural) 87.2 Da = 275.3 natural; acetyl cap (acetic anhydride, petrochemical) 43.0 Da; 275.3/318.3 = 0.86
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Made by triple-esterifying fermentation citric acid with ethanol, then acetylating the hydroxyl with acetic anhydride. Ethanol source varies by supplier (fermentation vs. petrochemical), which would lower this value if synthetic.

In plain English

A plasticiser derived mainly from citric acid and ethanol, with a small synthetic acetyl modification. Used in nail polishes and film coatings for flexibility.

CosIng definition: 2-(Acetyloxy)-1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic Acid, Triethyl Ester; ATEC; 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic Acid, 2-(Acetyloxy)-, Triethyl Ester

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Structure

2D structure of Acetyl Triethyl Citrate

triethyl 2-acetyloxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate

PubChem CID 6504 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Acetyl Triethyl Citrate. PubChem CID 6504. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3ACETYL TRIETHYL CITRATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4ACETYL TRIETHYL CITRATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ACETYL%20TRIETHYL%20CITRATE