Chemicals with names you almost can’t pronounce sometimes change entire industries. Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline traces its roots back to the surge of coconut-based chemistry in the twentieth century. Chemists saw the massive supply of coconut oil in tropical countries and realized they could build more sustainable surfactants from this renewable oil, instead of relying entirely on petroleum. In the decades after World War II, researchers began finding new pathways to convert coconut fatty acids into versatile raw materials. The imidazoline group emerged as a favorite because of its surface-active power and gentle skin feel. For anyone who cares about what’s in their cleaning and personal care products, the growth of this ingredient marks a shift toward resources that keep both performance and renewability in mind.
The full name sounds like a mouthful. In simple terms, this chemical is built from coconut oil and designed for use as a surfactant, emulsifier, antistatic agent, and corrosion inhibitor. It plays a part in everything from shampoos to textile auxiliaries to metalworking fluids. Its molecular structure, featuring a hydrophobic tail joined to a hydrophilic head, lets it control how oil and water interact—crucial in cleaning and conditioning formulas. What stands out about this ingredient is the origin. Derived from a natural triglyceride, its popularity keeps rising for manufacturers hunting for plant-based options in markets where consumers scrutinize every ingredient on the label.
Looking at the liquid in a drum, you’ll likely see a yellow to amber viscous substance with a faint coconut odor—softer than the sharpness of pure fatty acids. The material remains stable over a broad temperature range and resists hydrolysis. It blends well with both water and various solvents, which opens the door for formulators who want all-in-one additives. With a pH that usually lands between mildly acidic and neutral, it sidesteps the harshness often found in more caustic surfactants. The chemistry builds on an imidazoline ring—a structure right at home in creating strong surface activity and mildness all at once.
Suppliers need to offer reliable technical data to earn trust. Specifications often include content of active matter—usually around 75% or higher—the acid value, amide content, color number (Hazens), and moisture percentage. Viscosity at room temperature tells manufacturers how the ingredient will handle during blending and production. Safe transport and storage call for clear labeling according to international regulations, with classifications based on local chemical safety requirements. Labels highlight hazards, but with coconut oil amide ethyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline, the low toxicity and biodegradability claims often appear up front, appealing to buyers aiming for a safer and greener supply chain.
Production begins with coconut oil—more specifically, the fatty acids that get split out during refining. Researchers reacted these fatty acids with ethylenediamine, yielding an amide intermediate. Further reaction with ethylene oxide or hydroxyethyl reagents closes the five-membered imidazoline ring and adds a hydroxyethyl group, which helps adjust water solubility and gives the final product a friendlier skin profile. The details of each step—from temperature to catalysis—determine how pure the outcome stands, how it smells, and how long it will last in storage. Engineers have tuned the process for decades, sharpening efficiency and lowering the risk of unwanted by-products.
The coconut oil amide ethyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline molecule brings together an alkyl chain, an amide group, and an imidazoline ring with a hydroxyethyl tail. Chemists love working with it because the imidazoline ring is versatile—it can be quaternized, hydrolyzed, or further alkoxylated depending on the performance needs. For instance, adding more ethylene oxide units increases water solubility, while further acylation toughens it up to resist acid and hard water. This flexibility lets manufacturers fine-tune properties for different markets. The reactions, though technical, drive the commercial potential. It’s one thing to have a raw coconut derivative; it’s something else to turn that into a building block with custom characteristics.
People in the trade use a variety of names for this chemical. You hear terms like "Cocamide Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline," "Coconut Imidazoline Surfactant," and sometimes just "Coco Imidazoline." On global supply sheets or safety documents, its name shifts depending on labeling requirements and regional standards. In ingredient lists on shampoos, you might spot "Cocamidopropyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline” or a variant emphasizing its coconut origin. Local language and regulation dictate naming, but for manufacturers trying to ensure transparency, using the most widely-recognized synonym on packaging helps consumers make informed decisions in the store aisle.
For anyone with experience in chemical handling, safety isn’t just theoretical. In daily operations, coconut oil amide ethyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline offers a safer profile than many petroleum-derived surfactants or older amine-based additives. Acute toxicity to mammals rates low, and skin irritation potential remains mild for typical use, though industrial operators will still wear gloves and goggles to be on the safe side. Regulatory bodies—including REACH in Europe and TSCA in the U.S.—outline requirements for manufacture, labeling, and disposal. Shelf life expectations run two years in sealed containers, and regular monitoring prevents contamination or degradation, which can lead to quality slips or off-odors in end-use products.
You’ll find coconut oil amide ethyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline quietly working behind the scenes in shampoos, foam baths, and shaving creams. It stabilizes foam, adds antistatic effect, and leaves a soft feeling on skin and hair—something a bottle of plain soap would struggle to deliver. In detergents and industrial cleaners, the molecule brings strong grease-cutting power and keeps metal parts from rusting. Textile producers use it as a lubricant and softener during fabric processing. In the oilfield, its film-forming properties help control corrosion during drilling and production. It shows up anywhere a blend needs to balance effective cleaning with safety, mildness, and environmental friendliness.
Laboratories keep pushing for cleaner, greener, and more effective alternatives to traditional surfactants. Recent work explores using lower energy pathways for synthesis, introducing bio-based catalysts, and minimizing waste streams. There’s heavy focus on understanding the exact mechanisms behind the molecule’s skin mildness—much of which comes from the coconut fatty acid backbone. Collaborations with toxicologists create new testing models for chronic exposure and environmental impact, so regulators and consumers can trust that new formulations are genuinely safer. Analytical chemists compare chain lengths, branching, and purity levels, linking them to performance in the field. All of this supports the wider movement away from legacy chemicals toward solutions both people and ecosystems can handle.
Toxicologists have studied the fate of this molecule in the environment and the human body. Results suggest rapid biodegradation by common microbes, limiting persistence in soils and water. In lab testing, eye and skin irritation numbers stay low compared to related surfactants, though repeated prolonged contact remains a concern for sensitive populations. Aquatic toxicity ranks at the lower end for cationic surfactants, and this registers as a plus for brands looking to pass eco-certifications. Researchers keep wide margins of safety in mind, since end-use products often touch hair, scalp, and sometimes even wounds. As with any additive, trace impurities—like unreacted raw materials or side products—dictate the real-world risk, so quality control checks stay part of every production batch.
Demand keeps rising for ingredients that consumers understand and trust, especially those coming from plants instead of oil wells. Makers of coconut oil amide ethyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline have opportunities in new markets where regulatory bans push out harsher or less biodegradable chemistries. Technical refinements will keep improving mildness, foaming, and corrosion protection, unlocking new roles in everything from baby shampoos to high-performance lubricants. With global supply chains adapting to changing crop yields and environmental regulations, resilience and innovation matter more than ever. At the same time, researching new end-of-life pathways—the way the molecule breaks down after use—will decide how it fits into the future of green chemistry.
Step into any supermarket aisle stacked with shampoos, dish soaps, or laundry detergents, and you probably come across ingredients with long chemical names most folks can’t pronounce. Among these, Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline plays a bigger role than the label lets on. Pulled from coconut oil, this compound didn’t just pop up out of scientific curiosity. People wanted better cleaning, softer fabrics, and products that could work harder with a lower impact on skin and the planet.
Factories working with surfactants used to depend heavily on older synthetic options. Many traditional cleaning chemicals came packed with harsh properties, stripping not just dirt but oils from skin or causing buildup in pipes and wastewater. Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline breaks away from that. It steps in as a gentle surfactant and emulsifier, lifting away dirt, oils, and residues. This compound stabilizes mixtures and builds foam, making everything from shampoo lather to dishwater bubbles richer without hammering sensitive skin. I’ve cleaned up plenty of sticky messes over the years—grease, cooking oil, you name it—and products with this kind of coconut-based technology keep hands from cracking or drying out like the stuff from a generation ago.
Skincare gets most of the spotlight, but laundry and hard-surface cleaning formulas rely just as much on this coconut derivative. The science here lines up with real-life experience: adding Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline reduces the static in laundry, keeps fabric soft, and lets detergents rinse out more thoroughly. It spreads evenly in water, so soap and shampoo work well even when the water’s hard or heavily mineralized.
In my house, a switch to coconut-based detergents meant fewer itchy skin complaints and less lingering fragrance after a wash. Personal care routines have also changed. Household feedback usually goes along the lines of, “Soap’s not as harsh, but still gets everything clean.” Not a small deal for parents, cooks, or anyone rough on their hands.
Plenty of chemical surfactants end up downstream, where water treatment systems have to digest all that residue. Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline, made from renewable coconut resources, tends to break down faster and more completely in wastewater plants. This means smaller footprints in rivers and lakes. There’s still a need for transparency and honest research about any new tweaks to the formula that companies roll out, but coconut-based surfactants deliver a real shift toward safer chemistry in everyday products.
Even with the positives, the coconut industry comes with its own baggage—issues like sustainability, fair pay for harvesters, and crop monoculture don’t disappear just because a chemical is plant-derived. Companies and regulators have to pay attention to the origins of these ingredients all the way from field to factory floor. Consumers who read labels should keep digging; ethically sourced ingredients and open sourcing of supply chains make the difference.
Looking forward, pushing for products with clear labeling, better-sourced coconut oils, and full accountability brings better options to shoppers and the planet. It’s not just about inventing gentler chemistry—it's about the entire path from palm to bottle.
Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline winds up in quite a few personal care and cleaning products. It serves as a surfactant and helps create that foamy, clean feeling people expect from shampoos and soaps. The backbone here comes from coconut oil, which enjoys a long history in skin care. Still, adding the imidazoline ring changes things—now we’re looking at a synthetic compound, not just a natural oil.
Research shows most imidazoline derivatives break down well in water. Companies pick them for low irritation, mildness, and their antistatic properties, especially in shampoos and conditioners. Peer-reviewed data on this specific version remains a bit thin, but there are decades of safety studies on closely related compounds, and they usually rate as “low concern.” Their structure resists breaking through the skin barrier quickly, so people don’t absorb much beyond the upper dead layers of skin.
Working around product ingredient lists, you begin to spot trends. Customers report reactions to fragrances, dyes, and some harsh preservatives far more often than to surfactants like this one. I saw a few cases where folks with eczema or very sensitive skin ended up with red or itchy patches after using products with ethyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline surfactants. They usually dealt better with pure oils or amino acid-based cleansers.
Regulatory agencies in the US, EU, and Japan still allow this ingredient in skin care at the concentrations typically used—usually below one percent in wash-off products. Toxicologists running patch tests occasionally see mild irritation with high, repeated exposure, but nothing like the reactions triggered by known allergens or some older preservatives.
People don’t all react the same way. What irritates one person might feel fine for someone else. This point matters more when skin is inflamed, cracked, or damaged. Long showers, using hot water, and scrubbing too hard make skin absorb more of almost anything. If you start switching cleansers and see dry or scaly patches, especially along the arms or neck, sometimes it’s the mixture of ingredients, not just one responsible element.
Environmental groups push companies to use even milder, plant-based surfactants, leaning on standards set by the Environmental Working Group and similar organizations. These criteria push for the lowest possible risk, both for people and waterways. Imidazoline derivatives, including coconut oil amide varieties, score decently here—they don’t build up in the environment and break down fairly easily.
If you’re picking products, scan for allergic reactions or warnings if you deal with sensitive skin. Patch testing on a small spot before using a new product across the whole body helps catch possible irritation before it turns into a real problem. For brands, clear ingredient labeling builds trust—naming the source, listing allergen information, and offering fragrance-free options shows attention to details that customers appreciate.
There’s no way to promise absolute zero risk with any synthetic surfactant. Most people run into no trouble unless they have unusually reactive skin. Adding coconut oil amide ethyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline to your wash-off routine poses little threat if the formula sticks to industry guidelines. Folks with especially sensitive skin do better sticking with simpler formulas and avoiding harsh detergents across the board. Dermatologists still stand behind patch testing and personalized advice for anyone with a history of skin reactions.
Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline always turns heads with its tongue-twisting name, but what really matters is what it brings to the table for manufacturers making detergents, shampoos, and other household products.
In my own days tinkering with surfactant blends behind a lab bench, I learned to respect this ingredient for the unique way it tackles stubborn grime and lifts oils. Chemists trust it for a reason, and that starts with its strength as a surfactant. Every cleaned kitchen counter, every bright shirt after a wash owes a debt to clever ingredients like this one.
This ingredient comes from coconut oil. Its structure helps break apart grease. Most cleaning products have to mix oil and water, and that’s never easy. This is where Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline shows its worth. It acts as a bridge, pulling oily dirt into the water phase, so you can rinse it away without a fight. That makes a direct impact for anyone battling muddy shoes or greasy pots at home.
There’s more at work than just cleaning. Everyone loves a rich lather in their shampoo or body wash. This ingredient helps boost that foam, cooperating with the main cleaning agents and giving the product a pleasing, thick texture. While some other surfactants strip away too much, this one adds a gentle touch. Less irritation, less dryness. I’ve watched people with sensitive skin use imidazoline-based shampoos over long stretches without redness or itchiness. Dermatologists often ask for products with this kind of component to balance cleansing and comfort.
Not all ingredients can double as a conditioner, but this one manages it. In hair care, static reduction and a smoother feel go a long way toward good hair days. Cationic imidazolines like this one cut down on static, making hair more manageable and easy to comb. I’ve run before-and-after tests in the past, and it’s clear people prefer the soft touch and reduced tangles. This is why many hair conditioners lean on this molecule to improve texture.
In industrial cleaners and metalworking fluids, ingredient choice makes or breaks performance. Here, Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline helps keep metal surfaces from rusting. I’ve seen how equipment lasts longer when products include this type of anti-corrosion additive. For factories and workshops, that’s not a side benefit—it’s a bottom-line concern.
An increasing number of companies search for renewable ingredients. Sourcing from coconut oil gives this molecule credibility with sustainability experts. Lots of consumers notice plant-based claims on labels. That focus on environmental impact isn’t just marketing—it filters down to ingredient sourcing and the chemistry behind the label.
One concern in the industry involves allergen risk. Anyone with a coconut allergy should read ingredient lists carefully. Lab testing for residue and purity ensures safer use, and more transparency around sourcing always helps build trust. Clear labeling, plus open communication between suppliers and manufacturers, can push the market toward safer, more responsible use.
My time working with raw materials showed me that smart ingredient choice—backed by science—leads to products that work better for both people and the planet. Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline represents one of those underappreciated heroes, adding value far beyond its complicated name.
Every time I walk down the cleaning aisle, labels parade a dizzying list of chemicals. One name that pops up in a range of detergents and personal care products is Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline. Mouthful, isn’t it? Many people see coconut oil and think, “natural, so it must be safe.” That assumption gets shaky once chemistry gets involved, so I’ve been keen to see what science actually says about the fate of this ingredient in nature.
Biodegradability matters because we flush these ingredients down drains every single day. The less persistent they are, the less they hang around in rivers and soils. Looking at imidazoline surfactants, scientists have tested how bacteria can break them down. The coconut oil base does come from a renewable resource. Still, the manufacturing bonds it with imidazoline, chemically changing how it reacts in the environment.
Independent studies and reports, including work recapped by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), show that coconut-derived imidazoline surfactants tend toward being “readily biodegradable.” Over a 28-day test, more than 60% of this compound broke down when exposed to the right microbes and conditions. That result sits within commonly accepted guidelines for what counts as “good” biodegradability in detergents.
Compared to petroleum-based surfactants, these coconut-derived chemicals put much less strain on wastewater plants. Microbes love fatty acid chains like those found from natural oils, chewing them up far more quickly than fossil-derived options. Still, the imidazoline ring tacked onto the molecule slows down that process somewhat. Some chain variations hang around longer, creating low but measurable impacts, especially if tons of product flow into local streams.
I’ve watched family and neighbors pay more attention to ingredient lists over the past decade. Fewer synthetic residues in waterways directly link up with living conditions for fish and other aquatic life. My niece asked why she should care what’s in her shampoo—an excellent question. The more that communities demand biodegradable ingredients, the less we all gamble with downstream contamination. In rural towns, lots of homes don’t feed into industrial wastewater treatment, which means the breakdown needs to happen out in nature, not behind locked doors at a city plant.
While coconut oil amide ethyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline clocks in as “readily biodegradable,” the picture’s not clear-cut. High concentrations, sluggish water flow, or cold climates slow that process. Companies need to fund more studies testing how these chemicals break down in real-world settings—not just in the controlled comfort of a lab jar. Honest labeling, better breakdown tests, and transparent rules keep everyone safer.
Shoppers can nudge brands toward even simpler, plant-based surfactants without added rings or chains. At the same time, big companies bear responsibility for refining formulas toward less persistent residues. We all shape what gets used, dumped, and broken down—not just with purchases, but with questions and scrutiny every time we see long, tangled names on a simple bottle of soap.
Coconut Oil Amide Ethyl Hydroxyethyl Imidazoline shows up in countless formulations. From shampoos to industrial cleaners, its role as an emulsifier and anti-static agent stretches across different industries. This chemical brings plenty of benefits, but storage makes all the difference. Skipping over proper practice can lead to safety hazards and expensive waste.
In my years around chemical warehouses, I’ve come to respect the seemingly small details that keep products stable and workers safe. Labeling, container choice, room temperature—these basics often matter more than many realize. Ignoring them, even just once, can cause batches to degrade or even trigger costly cleanups. Bad storage can crack containers, trigger skin reactions, or contaminate equipment.
This compound prefers locations that stay cool and dry. Excess heat speeds up decomposition and can warp the containers. Humidity might encourage clumping or spoilage, especially if caps aren’t tightly sealed. Think about places like a temperature-controlled section of a warehouse, away from sunlight, steam, or exposed pipes.
Sunlight does more harm than many assume. Even short periods of direct light can alter a product’s chemical structure. Keeping storage areas dim, even if just by shutting blinds or using opaque containers, helps keep the product as its manufacturer intended.
Ventilation gets overlooked too often. This chemical doesn’t release massive clouds of vapor, but lingering fumes collect over time—especially where air stays still. Good airflow quickly whisks away minor releases, helping workers steer clear of headaches or irritation.
Metal drums with protective linings or high-density polyethylene containers usually work best. Inspect every one before use. Rust, cracks, or old labels speak to underlying problems that shouldn’t be dragged into the storage area. Also, never reuse a container from another chemical, no matter how thoroughly it’s been cleaned. Cross-contamination can cause reactions that spoil whole batches.
Use tight-fitting lids, and check the seal before and after every use. Leaks aren’t just messy; they risk injury, damage property, and invite pests into the storage facility. I’ve seen ruined pallets due to one leaky drum, and the cleanup cost time and money.
Never place this chemical close to acids, oxidizers, or strong bases. Even if there’s a sturdy divider, the fumes could interact and result in toxic or corrosive byproducts. Most safety guidelines recommend dedicated shelving or caged storage, which keeps dangerous neighbors apart.
Spill containment—like a simple drip pan under containers—makes any unexpected release easier to manage. Keep neutralizing agents and spill kits nearby, and make sure staff know exactly how to use them. Reading about a spill isn’t the same as practicing, believe me.
Clear, accurate labeling helps everyone avoid mix-ups. Include hazard information right on the drum, using waterproof ink or tags. Even after years on the job, I trust the label over memory every time.
Rotate stock so older batches get used first. Train new staff on storing chemicals—not just on paper, but with real-life walkthroughs. Hands-on training sticks far better.
Relying on these habits doesn’t add much to daily workload, but sidesteps a mountain of trouble. Respect for proper storage protects not just the chemical, but the people and business as well.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 3-[2-(2-hydroxyethyl)imidazolidin-1-yl]propyl N-cocoylcarbamate |
| Other names |
Cocamide MEA Coconut fatty acid ethanolamide Cocamide 2-hydroxyethyl imidazoline Coconut oil fatty acids monoethanolamide Coco monoethanolamide |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkoʊ.kə.nʌt ɔɪl əˈmaɪd ˈiːθəl haɪˌdrɒk.siˌiːθɪl ɪˌmɪd.əˈzoʊ.lin/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 61791-31-9 |
| Beilstein Reference | 4251756 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:91235 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL2103836 |
| ChemSpider | 21868253 |
| DrugBank | DB11265 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03f451e6-1c0e-4256-8cc3-fb4b1d74a127 |
| EC Number | 266-219-7 |
| Gmelin Reference | 264688 |
| KEGG | C17135 |
| MeSH | D020110 |
| PubChem CID | 122207921 |
| RTECS number | HO9697000 |
| UNII | R73E2H1B6V |
| UN number | UN3082 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID40876461 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C19H38N2O2 |
| Molar mass | 328.52 g/mol |
| Appearance | Light yellow to yellow transparent liquid |
| Odor | Characteristic |
| Density | 0.97 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| log P | 1.90 |
| Vapor pressure | Negligible |
| Acidity (pKa) | 10.5 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 8.0 - 10.0 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.4850 - 1.5050 |
| Viscosity | 50~200 mPa·s (25°C) |
| Dipole moment | 2.89 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 806.09 J/(mol·K) |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | No ATC code |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Causes serious eye damage. Causes skin irritation. Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS05 |
| Pictograms | GHS05,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H315: Causes skin irritation. H319: Causes serious eye irritation. |
| Precautionary statements | Keep container tightly closed. Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Wash thoroughly after handling. Use with adequate ventilation. Do not breathe dust, vapor or mist. |
| Flash point | > 190°C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): > 2000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (oral, rat) > 5000 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | PY8150000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 0.5–2.0% |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Lauramide DEA Cocamidopropyl Betaine Cocamide MEA Cocamidopropylamine Oxide Cocamidopropylamine Cocoyl Sarcosine |
