Sebacic acid  Sebacic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid with the formula (CH2)8(CO2H)2. It is a white flake or powdered solid. "Sebaceus" is Latin for tallow candle, "sebum" is Latin for tallow, and refers to its use in the manufacture of candles. Sebacic acid is a derivative of castor oil. In the industrial setting, sebacic acid and its homologues such as azelaic acid can be used as a monomer for nylon 610, plasticizers, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, cosmetics, candles, etc.  Sebacic acid is produced from castor oil by cleavage of ricinoleic acid, which is obtained from castor oil. Octanol is a byproduct. It can also be obtained from decalin via the tertiary hydroperoxide, which gives cyclodecenone, a precursor to sebacic acid.