Related alkanols | Formula C10H22O | |
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Related compounds Appearance White, opaque, waxy crystals | ||
2-Propylheptyl alcohol (2PH) is a mixture of organic compounds used for diverse commercial applications. The mixture is primarily decyl alcohols: 2-propylheptanol, 4-methyl-2-propylhexanol, and 5-methyl-2-propylhexanol. Typical of related compounds, 2-propylheptyl alcohol is a colourless waxy or oily solid.
Contents
Production
2-Propylheptyl alcohol is "oxoalcohol", meaning that it is produced from the hydroformylation ("oxo synthesis") of C4 alkenes followed by hydrogenation of the resulting aldehyde. The production route is similar to that for tripropylene.
Applications
Such compounds enjoy many applications, including as raw materials for plasticizers, resins, processing solvents, and precursors to detergents. Heat stabilizers manufactured for PVC compounds use similar high boiling and high molecular weight oxo-alcohols, which enhance product performance. A further application area of this C10 alcohol is for the manufacture of oleate- and palmitate-based materials used by the cosmetics industry. Due to its very limited miscibility with water, 2PH can be used as a special solvent, with potential application in life sciences. A promising application of these alcohols would be as precursors to acrylate monomers, potentially conferring enhanced flexibility.