An unsaturated fatty acid that is the most widely distributed and abundant fatty acid in nature. It is used commercially in the preparation of oleates and lotions, and as a pharmaceutical solvent.
On exposure to air it gradually absorbs oxygen and darkens in color and develops a more pronounced odour. It decomposes when heated at 80 to 100 °C.
Oleic acid is soluble in benzene, chloroform, ethanol, ether, hexane, fixed volatile oils and practically insoluble in water.