Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 3, 2026

Erucamide

Erucamide is a fatty acid amide resulting from the formal condensation of erucic acid with ammonia. It has a role as a metabolite in humans and other animals and in plants. In the plastic manufacturing industry, it is commonly used as a slip additive.

Last revised
Jul 3, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
292 w
Citations
10
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Erucamide
source ↗
Names
IUPAC name
(Z)-Docos-13-enamide
Other names
  • Erucylamide
  • Erucic acid amide
  • Erucic amide
  • cis-13-Docosenamide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.003.645
EC Number
  • 204-009-2
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C22H43NO/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22(23)24/h9-10H,2-8,11-21H2,1H3,(H2,23,24)/b10-9-
    Key: UAUDZVJPLUQNMU-KTKRTIGZSA-N
  • CCCCCCCC/C=C\CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)N
Properties
C22H43NO
Molar mass 337.592 g·mol−1
Appearance White solid1
Melting point 83.5–84 °C (182.3–183.2 °F; 356.6–357.1 K)1
Insoluble1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Erucamide is a fatty acid amide resulting from the formal condensation of erucic acid with ammonia. It has a role as a metabolite in humans and other animals and in plants.2 In the plastic manufacturing industry, it is commonly used as a slip additive.23

Uses

Erucamide is used as a slip promoter, antiblock agent, and lubricant in plastics.4 It serves as a viscosity controlling and opacifying agent in cosmetics.5 In industry, it functions as a processing aid, lubricating agent, anti-adhesive agent, and corrosion inhibitor. In the United States, it is authorized as an indirect food additive in adhesives under 21 CFR 175.105.6

Research

Erucamide has been reported to ameliorate depression and anxiety-like behaviors in mouse models.7

References

References

  1. Record in the GESTIS Substance Database of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  2. CID 5365371 from PubChem
  3. "CHEBI:142245 - erucamide". ChEBI.
  4. "Erucamide". Lepuz.
  5. "Erucamide: An In-Depth Look at Its Role in Cosmetics". Deascal. October 15, 2024.
  6. 21 CFR 175.105
  7. Miao-Miao Li, Zheng-er Jiang, Ling-Yun Song, Zhe-Shan Quan, Hai-Ling Yu (2017). "Antidepressant and anxiolytic-like behavioral effects of erucamide, a bioactive fatty acid amide, involving the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis in mice". Neuroscience Letters. 640: 6–12. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2016.12.072.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)