99% 2-Ethylhexanol CAS 104-76-7

What is 2-Ethylhexanol?

2-Ethylhexanol, also known as isooctanol or octanol, is one of the most important branched C8 alcohols in industry. It is also a key component of the food flavoring and cosmetic raw material supply chain permitted for use in my country. 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.

Looking at the molecular framework, 2-ethylhexanol is a branched saturated fatty primary alcohol. The long carbon chain gives lipophilicity and the terminal primary hydroxyl group gives reactivity. The “long-chain-reactive” structure means that it can be used directly as an alcohol in fragrance and solvent formulations or via esterification to produce a variety of ester derivatives: esterification with palmitic acid, stearic acid, etc. produces cosmetic emollient esters; esterification with organic acids produces fragrance raw materials; and its derivative, ethylhexylglycerin, is a common multifunctional ingredient in skincare products. Industrially it is mainly produced by carbonyl synthesis (oxo process) of propylene and syngas . It can also be obtained by condensation and hydrogenation of n - butyraldehyde .

2-ethylhexanol is a stable, combustible and irritant fatty alcohol. Its vapor can form an explosive mixture with air. It should be kept away from sources of fire and in a well-ventilated place. It must be stored in a light-protected, sealed container.

Non-industrial grade 2-ethylhexanol includes products used in food flavorings, cosmetics and scientific research. It includes reagent grade, food grade (food flavoring grade) and cosmetic grade as a first step. What non-industrial grade products focus more on than industrial grade products are the indicators:

Heavy metals and toxic impurities

For food grade and cosmetic grade, there are strict limits on heavy metals and toxic elements such as lead, arsenic and mercury, which are pre requisites for their use in food flavorings and cosmetics.

Quality of aroma

Sensory indicators are important for edible flavorings, such as aroma purity and the absence of pungent odors, directly affecting the flavoring effect and food flavor.

Microbiological and Hygiene Indices

Cosmetic-grade and food-grade products must comply with hygiene requirements, such as microbial limits, and also meet the technical specifications on cosmetic safety and the standards for food raw materials.

Color and moisture

Color is an indication of the cleanness of a product and moisture influences the stability and shelf-life of a product, these are normal quality concerns for non-industrial grade products.

What are the uses of 2-Ethylhexanol?

1. Cosmetic emulsifiers and personal care ingredients (core application)

2-Ethylhexyl palmitate and 2-ethylhexyl stearate, obtained by esterification of 2-ethylhexanol with palmitic acid, stearic acid, etc., are commonly used emollients in sunscreens, foundations, lipsticks and lotions, with a refreshing and smooth feel on the skin; the derivative ethylhexylglycerin (octoxyglycerin) has moisturizing, skin-nourishing and antiseptic functions, and is a common multifunctional ingredient in skin care products.

2. Edible Flavors (Core Application)

2-Ethylhexanol is an edible flavoring permitted for use under my country's GB 2760 standard (FEMA number 3151). It can be used to formulate food flavorings and impart specific aromas to beverages, candies, baked goods, etc. It is one of the compliant flavoring raw materials in the food flavoring industry.

3. Plasticizer alcohols (core application)

2-Ethylhexanol is a core raw material for plasticizers such as DOP (dioctyl phthalate), DOTP (dioctyl terephthalate), DOA (dioctyl adipate), and TOTM (trioctyl trimellitate). It is used in the production of flexible PVC products and is one of the most widely used alcohol raw materials in the plastics additives industry.

4. Acrylate monomers (core application)

2-Ethylhexanol is esterified with acrylic acid to obtain 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, which is an important comonomer for pressure-sensitive adhesives (adhesives, tapes), coating emulsions, adhesives and inks, giving the polymer a low glass transition temperature and good flexibility.

5. Diesel cetane number improver

efficient diesel cetane improver. Diesel fuel with a small amount of additives can improve the ignition performance and cold start performance, which is an important product in the industry of fuel additives.

6. Solvents and ester solvents

2-Ethylhexanol and its acetate (2-ethylhexyl acetate) are good solvents for coatings, inks, cleaning agents and paint removers. They have a good dissolving power and moderate volatilities and are among the commonly used solvents in the coatings industry.

7. Surfactants and Emulsifiers

2-Ethylhexanol is a raw material for the synthesis of surfactants, emulsifiers and dispersants, and its derivatives are widely used in washing, emulsification, wetting and other aspects.

8. Mineral processing frother

The metal mining industry can use 2-Ethylhexanol and derivatives as frothers in mineral flotation to help stabilize foam and improve beneficiation efficiency.

9. Lubricants and Metalworking Fluids

Derivatives of 2-ethylhexanol are used as additives for lubricants, components of cutting fluids and rust inhibitors, in machining and treatment of metal surfaces.

10. Textiles and leather (indirect contact)

Appropriate for use as textile auxiliaries and leather treatment components are 2-ethylhexanol derivatives. Our clothing and leather products can be indirectly implicated in the production chain.

11. Laboratory Solvents and Analytical Reagents (Reagent Grade)

2-Ethylhexanol is a common organic reagent and solvent used for laboratory applications. It can be used in organic production reactions, extraction and chromatographic analysis, and its high solubility and stable chemical properties make it suitable for a variety of experimental systems.

12. Scientific research and development of new products

The carbonyl synthesis (oxo process) platform Representative products: 2-ethylhexanol. It is a popular research subject of organic chemistry and chemical engineering, with ongoing research on the synthesis of its derivatives, green catalytic processes and novel ester products.

Summarize

2-Ethylhexanol (2-EH, C8H18O, CAS No. 104-76-7) is a colorless, transparent liquid with a melting point of ca. -76°C and a boiling point of ca. 184°C. It has a long lipophilic chain and an active primary hydroxyl group in its molecule. It is one of the most important branched C8 alcohols obtained by carbonyl synthesis (oxo process) from propylene, and is a permitted food flavoring in GB 2760 standard of my country. We encounter it in everyday life indirectly in cosmetics and skin care products, food flavorings and laboratory uses. Reagent grade, food grade (food flavoring grade) and cosmetic grade 2-ethylhexanol are widely used in cosmetic emulsifiers and personal care ingredients, food flavoring formulations, analytical reagents, fine chemicals and scientific research and teaching in non-industrial applications. It is a fundamental key building block to link “alcohol chemistry” with “beauty and health, food flavor and scientific innovation.”