Database/Emollient/Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate natural?

No. Trimethylolpropane comes from petrochemical n-butyraldehyde and formaldehyde, and 2-ethylhexanoic acid from propylene-derived 2-ethylhexanal, so no fragment is natural.

INCI nameTrimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate
CAS26086-33-9
FormulaC30H56O6 · 512.8 Da
FunctionEmollient · Skin Conditioning
FeedstockDominant route is esterification of trimethylolpropane with 2-ethylhexanoic…

How we scored it

C30H56O6 512.8 Da. Trimethylolpropane core (butyraldehyde + formaldehyde) and three 2-ethylhexanoyl groups (propylene oxo) all petrochemical. 0 / 512.8 = 0.00.
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

Dominant route is esterification of trimethylolpropane with 2-ethylhexanoic acid, both from propylene oxo chemistry. Bio-based variants are mass-balance claims only and not a distinct physical route.

In plain English

A light, non-greasy synthetic ester oil (emollient) that gives a smooth, silky slip and helps carry pigments in makeup. It is made by esterifying trimethylolpropane with 2-ethylhexanoic acid, both petrochemical raw materials.

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Structure

2D structure of Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate

2,2-bis(2-ethylhexanoyloxymethyl)butyl 2-ethylhexanoate

PubChem CID 14366844 ↗

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. 2Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate. PubChem CID 14366844. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIETHYLHEXANOATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIETHYLHEXANOATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE%20TRIETHYLHEXANOATE