Title: Napalm

CAS Registry Number: 8031-21-8

Literature References: A coprecipitated aluminum soap from naphthenic acids and the fatty acids of coconut oil developed early in 1942 (Fieser, Harris, Hershberg, Morgana, Novello, Putnam) for prepn of gasoline gels for incendiary munitions: US 2606107 (1952); Herron, US 2684339 (1954 to Safety Fuel & Chem. Corp.). The name was derived from the naphthenic and palmitic acids which are its major constituents. Structure and mfg problems: Chem. Eng. News 32, 2690 (1954). Historical account: L. F. Fieser, The Scientific Method (Reinhold, New York, 1964); Bruce, "Chemical Warfare: Flame" in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (Interscience, New York, 1964) p 888.

Use: Gasoline thickener. In chemical warfare (fire bombs, flame throwers, flame land mines).