2-Ethylhexanol is a flammable liquid, which in contact with a strong oxidizer may cause a fire. The appearance of this compound is a clear, colorless liquid from the alcohol family, which is almost insoluble in water but dissolves well in most aqueous solvents.

What is 2-Ethylhexanol?

It is a branched, eight-carbon chiral alcohol, which is widely used in many applications such as solvents, flavorings, and aromatics, and especially as a precursor in the production of other chemicals such as emollients. This substance is insoluble in water and has a lower density than water. Although isooctanol (and the derivative isoxyl prefix) is commonly used in industry to refer to 2-ethylhexanol and its derivatives, IUPAC nomenclature conventions dictate that this name properly refers to another isomer of octanol, 6-methyl heptane- 1- Apply first.

Table of technical specifications of 2-Ethylhexanol

2-Ethylhexanol production method

2-Ethylhexanol is industrially produced by condensation of aldol n-butyraldehyde followed by hydrogenation of the resulting hydroxyaldehyde. About 2,500,000 tons are prepared in this way every year.