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squalene

Structure via PubChem · Public domain (PubChem)

EntityQ407560· pop 37· linked from 231 articles

Also known as all-trans-squalene, spinacene, trans-squalene, (all-E)-2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-2,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosahexaene, (14E)-2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosa-2,6,10,14,18,22-hexaene, (E,E,E,E)-Squalene, (6Z,10E,14E,18E)-2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosa-2,6,10,14,18,22-hexaene, 2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyl-2,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosahexaene

Squalene is an organic compound. It is a triterpene with the formula C30H50. It is a colourless oil, although impure samples appear yellow. It was originally obtained from shark liver oil (hence its name, as Squalus is a genus of sharks). An estimated 12% of bodily squalene in humans is found in sebum. Squalene has a role in topical skin lubrication and protection.

Chemical data

Formula
C30H50
Molecular weight
410.7 g/mol
IUPAC name
(6E,10E,14E,18E)-2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyltetracosa-2,6,10,14,18,22-hexaene
SMILES
CC(=CCC/C(=C/CC/C(=C/CC/C=C(/CC/C=C(/CCC=C(C)C)\C)\C)/C)/C)C
InChIKey
YYGNTYWPHWGJRM-AAJYLUCBSA-N
XLogP
11.6
Polar surface area
0 Ų
H-bond donors
0
H-bond acceptors
0
Formal charge
0

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Research

6,558 papers

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Wikidata facts

Mass
410.391
Show 5 more facts
chemical formula
C₃₀H₅₀
canonical SMILES
CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(=CCCC=C(C)CCC=C(C)CCC=C(C)C)C)C)C
isomeric SMILES
CC(=CCC/C(=C/CC/C(=C/CC/C=C(/CC/C=C(/CCC=C(C)C)\C)\C)/C)/C)C
melting point
-75
Commons category
Squalene
Sources (6)

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~5 min read

Article

11 sections
Contents
  • Role in triterpenoid synthesis
  • Production
  • Biosynthesis
  • Industry
  • Shark conservation {{anchor|Shark squalene}}
  • Uses
  • As an adjuvant in vaccines
  • Safety
  • Controversies
  • References
  • External links

Squalene is an organic compound. It is a triterpene with the formula C30H50. It is a colourless oil, although impure samples appear yellow. It was originally obtained from shark liver oil (hence its name, as Squalus is a genus of sharks). An estimated 12% of bodily squalene in humans is found in sebum. Squalene has a role in topical skin lubrication and protection.

Most plants, fungi, and animals produce squalene as biochemical precursor in sterol biosynthesis, including cholesterol and steroid hormones in the human body. It is also an intermediate in the biosynthesis of hopanoids in many bacteria.

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