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What is 2-Ethylhexanol?
2-Ethylhexanol, also known as isooctanol or octanol, is one of the most important branched C8 alcohols in industry and a core raw material in the plasticizer and surfactant industry chain. Its chemical formula is usually written as:
CH3CH2CH2CH2CH(C2H5)CH2OH (C8H18O, CAS No.: 104-76-7, EINECS No.: 203-234-3, molecular weight approx. 130.23)
It is a colorless and transparent liquid at room temperature with a slight peculiar odor. It is almost insoluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. Its melting point is about -76°C, boiling point is about 184°C, relative density is about 0.833, and flash point is about 75°C. It is a flammable liquid and must be stored away from fire sources.
From a molecular structure perspective, 2-ethylhexanol is a branched saturated fatty primary alcohol. Its long carbon chain provides lipophilicity, while the terminal primary hydroxyl group provides reactivity. This “lipophilic long chain + active hydroxyl group” structure gives it a unique application logic: esterification with phthalic acid, terephthalic acid, etc., to form plasticizers (such as DOP and DOTP); esterification with acrylic acid to form pressure-sensitive adhesive monomers; and esterification with nitric acid to form diesel additives—almost all core applications revolve around “hydroxyl esterification.” Industrially, it is mainly produced by carbonyl synthesis (oxo process) of propylene and syngas, and can also be obtained by the condensation and hydrogenation of n-butyraldehyde.
Chemically, 2-ethylhexanol is a stable fatty alcohol that is flammable and irritating. Its vapor can form an explosive mixture when mixed with air. It should be kept away from sources of fire and in a well-ventilated place. It should be stored in a closed container and away from light.
2-Ethylhexanol of industrial grade refers to products designed for industrial use, such as in plasticizers, coatings and surfactants. It is normally 99.5% pure or greater, and is divided into Type I (for fine chemicals such as plasticizers) and Type II (for general applications). Compared with reagent-grade products, industrial-grade products place more emphasis on the following indicators:
Color and look
The product shall be colorless or nearly so, transparent and free from suspended matter. Too much color is often indicative of oxidation or contamination which may impact the color of downstream products.
acid value
High acid values can affect the efficiency of esterification reactions and may also affect the quality of downstream plasticizers and ester products.
Moisture
Moisture content affects esterification reactions and storage stability, and is an important routine control indicator.
Carbonyl compounds (aldehyde content)
Carbonyl compounds affect the color, odor, and downstream reactions of products and are a characteristic quality control indicator of industrial octanol standards, which are usually determined by colorimetry.
Distillation range and density
Distillation range and density reflect product purity and batch consistency, and affect the stability of downstream processes.
What are the applications of industrial-grade 2-Ethylhexanol?
Industrial-grade 2-ethylhexanol, with its structural characteristics of “lipophilic long chain + active primary hydroxyl group”, is widely used in plasticizers, adhesives, fuels and surfactants, with esterification as the core reaction.
1.Plasticizer alcohol (core application)
2-Ethylhexanol is an important raw material for plasticizers such as DOP (dioctyl phthalate), DOTP (dioctyl terephthalate), DOA (dioctyl adipate) and TOTM (trioctyl trimellitate). It is used in the manufacturing of flexible PVC products and is one of the most widely used alcohol raw materials in the plastics additives industry.
2.Acrylate monomer (major application)
2-Ethylhexanol is esterified with acrylic acid to produce 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, an important co-monomer for pressure sensitive adhesives (adhesives, tapes), coating emulsions, adhesives and inks, giving the polymer a low glass transition temperature and good flexibility.
3.Diesel cetane number improver 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate
obtained by nitrification of 2-ethylhexanol, is a highly efficient diesel cetane number improver. A small amount is an important product in the area of fuel additives, which can improve the ignition performance and cold start performance of diesel fuel.
4.Solvents and esters of solvents
2-Ethylhexanol and its acetate (2-ethylhexyl acetate) are used as solvents for coatings, inks, cleaning agents and paint removers. They are good solvents and moderately volatile. They are one of the most commonly used solvents in the coatings industry.
5.Surfactants and Emulsifying Agents
2-Ethylhexanol is a starting material for the synthesis of surfactants, emulsifiers and dispersants, and its derivatives are widely used in washing, emulsification, wetting and other applications.
6.Frother for mineral processing
2-Ethylhexanol and its derivatives are used as frothers in mineral flotation to stabilize foam, increase beneficiation efficiency and support the metal mining industry.
7.Metalworking fluids and lubricants
2-Ethylhexanol derivatives are used as additives to lubricants, in cutting fluids and rust inhibitors, and in machining and metal surface treatment.
8.Textiles and leather (indirect touch)
2-Ethylhexanol derivatives are useful in the textileauxiliaries and leather treatment. Our clothes and leather products could be part of the chain of production.
9.Other Applications
With the development of fine chemicals, the application scope of industrial-grade 2-ethylhexanol continues to expand, including in areas such as alkyd resins, polyester resins, pesticide adjuvants, and defoamers.
Summarize
2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH, C8H18O, CAS No. 104-76-7) is a colorless, transparent liquid with a melting point of about -76°C and a boiling point of about 184°C. Its molecule contains a long lipophilic chain and active primary hydroxyl groups. It is one of the most important branched C8 alcohols, obtained from propylene by carbonyl synthesis (oxo process). In daily life, we indirectly meet it with PVC flexible plastic products, tapes and self-adhesive labels, paints and coatings, automotive diesel fuel, mineral processing and metal processing. Industrial grade 2-ethylhexanol is widely used in the manufacture of plasticizers such as DOP/DOTP, as a monomer for 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, as a diesel cetane number improver, as a solvent, as a surfactant, and as a foaming agent in mineral processing. It is a key basic alcohol raw material bridging “carbonyl synthesis chemistry” and “plastics, adhesives, coatings and fuels”.
