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| HS Code | 475309 |
| Chemical Formula | C8H18O |
| Molar Mass | 130.23 g/mol |
| Cas Number | 104-76-7 |
| Appearance | Clear colorless liquid |
| Density | 0.833 g/cm3 at 20 °C |
| Melting Point | -76 °C |
| Boiling Point | 184.3 °C |
| Flash Point | 81 °C (closed cup) |
| Autoignition Temperature | 270 °C |
| Solubility In Water | 0.7 g/L |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.1 mmHg at 25 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.4315 at 20 °C |
As an accredited 2-Ethylhexanol factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | 2-Ethylhexanol packaged in 200 kg UN-approved steel drums, with hazard labeling and secure closures for safe transport and storage. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL: load 2-Ethylhexanol in sealed drums on pallets, secure tightly, ventilate, avoid heat, and prevent contamination. |
| Shipping | 2-Ethylhexanol is shipped in steel drums, IBC totes, or tank containers with secure, leak-proof closures. It is a combustible liquid with a flash point near 77°C, so avoid ignition sources and static discharge. Use grounded equipment, protect from moisture and oxidizing agents, and follow standard hazmat documentation and labeling requirements. |
| Storage | Store 2-Ethylhexanol in tightly sealed, clearly labeled containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, heat, flames, and ignition sources. Keep separated from strong oxidizers and acids. Use approved grounding/bonding during transfers. Ensure secondary containment to prevent spills and comply with local storage regulations. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 2-3 years when stored tightly sealed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from oxidizers. |
2-Ethylhexanol enters the flexible PVC supply chain predominantly as the esterifying alcohol in the manufacture of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DOP, CAS 117-81-7) and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DOTP, CAS 6422-86-2), with additional volume directed to trioctyl trimellitate (TOTM) and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA/DOA). In a continuous DOP train, phthalic anhydride is reacted with a maintained stoichiometric excess of 2-ethylhexanol; commercial recipes commonly operate at a molar ratio of 2.2:1 to 2.4:1 alcohol to anhydride to drive conversion while retaining alcohol as azeotropic water entrainer. Acid catalysis with 0.1–0.3 wt% para-toluenesulfonic acid or sulfuric acid relative to phthalic anhydride proceeds at 150–170 °C under reduced pressure; water is removed continuously from the reactor overhead, and unreacted alcohol is recovered in a vacuum-stripping column operating at 1–10 kPa and 150–180 °C. Crude ester is neutralized with dilute sodium carbonate, washed with softened water at 80–90 °C, dried under vacuum, and polished with filter aid. DOTP production follows a similar direct esterification with purified terephthalic acid but requires titanium tetrabutylate catalyst at 0.05–0.15 wt% and a final esterification temperature of 180–230 °C because of slower dissolution of the aromatic diacid. The resulting plasticizers are compounded into flexible PVC pellets for wire and cable insulation, medical tubing, automotive interior skins, and resilient flooring. Quality control for flexible PVC compound includes Shore A hardness by ASTM D2240-15e1, tensile strength by ASTM D638-14, and plasticizer compatibility under compression by ASTM D3291-11. Regulatory review of DOP-containing formulations in toys and childcare articles must address REACH Annex XVII entry 51, which restricts DEHP at concentrations above 0.1 wt% in plasticised material; DOTP is commonly selected as a non-phthalate replacement where EU 10/2011 food contact conditions require migration testing with food simulants A, B, D1, and D2.
| Parameter | DOP (DEHP) | DOTP | Test method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density at 20 °C | 0.983–0.988 g/cm³ | 0.981–0.985 g/cm³ | ASTM D4052 |
| Acid value | ≤0.07 mg KOH/g | ≤0.05 mg KOH/g | ASTM D974 |
| Water content | ≤0.10% | ≤0.10% | ASTM E203 |
| Color APHA | ≤25 | ≤25 | ASTM D1209 |
| Ester content | ≥99.5% | ≥99.5% | ASTM D3465 |
In pressure-sensitive adhesive monomer synthesis, 2-ethylhexanol is converted to 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA) by direct acid-catalyzed esterification with glacial acrylic acid. Reactor feed is controlled at an alcohol-to-acid molar excess of 1.1:1 to 1.3:1, with methanesulfonic acid or para-toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst and a polymerization inhibitor package containing hydroquinone monomethyl ether at 50–200 ppm and dissolved oxygen at 6–8 vol% in the reactor vapour space. Esterification proceeds at 90–120 °C, with water removed by azeotropic distillation using cyclohexane or toluene, then recycled alcohol and solvent separated in a distillation train. Residual acrylic acid is extracted with dilute sodium hydroxide, the organic phase washed, and the monomer purified to ≥99.5% by vacuum distillation. The esterified alcohol contributes a branched C8 side chain to the acrylate polymer; 2-EHA copolymers are standard tackifiers in solvent-borne and emulsion pressure-sensitive adhesives for tapes, labels, and protective films. Peel adhesion is evaluated by ASTM D3330/D3330M-02, loop tack by ASTM D6195-03, and shear holding power by ASTM D3654/D3654M-06. Monomer quality for adhesive applications is controlled by gas chromatographic purity, acid value by ASTM D974, and water content by ASTM E203. Compliance with indirect food additive status for adhesive formulations is typically assessed under 21 CFR 175.105 where the adhesive is not intended for direct food contact. Production bottlenecks on commercial lines include premature radical polymerization in the reboiler when inhibitor concentration drops below the lower threshold, and haze formation in the final monomer from residual sulfate if the aqueous wash sequence is shortened.
Synthetic ester basestocks derived from 2-ethylhexanol include di(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (DOS), di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, and trimethylolpropane esters where the branched alcohol is used alone or in co-ester blends. Sebacic acid is charged with an excess of 2-ethylhexanol at a molar ratio of 2.2:1 to 2.5:1; esterification with tetrabutyl titanate at 180–220 °C is followed by vacuum stripping, neutralization with calcium hydroxide, and filtration to remove metal salts. Residual acid is the critical QC parameter because it drives deposit formation in lube circuits; commercial DOS lots are controlled to an acid value below 0.05 mg KOH/g by ASTM D974. The branched alkyl structure suppresses crystallisation, giving DOS a pour point below -50 °C when measured by ASTM D97-17b and a viscosity index near 150 when calculated by ASTM D2270-10(2016). Kinematic viscosity at 100 °C typically falls in the 3.0–3.5 mm²/s range by ASTM D445-21. These properties position DOS in low-temperature greases, aviation-instrument oils, and as a low-temperature plasticizer for nitrile and fluoroelastomer compounds. Process limitations are dominated by the high boiling point of residual 2-ethylhexanol; incomplete vacuum stripping produces an ester with flash point below a 215 °C target when tested by ASTM D92-18. Batch-to-batch variation in pour point can be traced to isomeric distribution in the oxo alcohol feedstock; higher levels of n-octanol or branched isomers alter crystal packing in the sebacate ester. Published data for specific co-ester combinations is limited, and candidate basestock development requires bench-scale pour point and elastomer compatibility screening.
ZDDP anti-wear additive manufacture consumes 2-ethylhexanol as the alkyl donor in a two-stage reaction sequence with phosphorus pentasulfide (P2S5). The first stage charges C8 alcohol and P2S5 at a molar ratio of 4:1 into a jacketed reactor at 75–100 °C, generating dialkyldithiophosphoric acid and hydrogen sulfide; H2S off-gas is routed to a caustic scrubber with back-pressure control to avoid ingress of atmospheric moisture. The intermediate is then neutralized with zinc oxide at 80–95 °C, producing zinc bis(O,O-di-2-ethylhexyl dithiophosphate) after vacuum dehydration and filtration through a plate-and-frame filter. The phosphorus content of the finished ZDDP is controlled by ASTM D4951 or ISO 10478; oil blends containing ZDDP are qualified for phosphorus retention and wear protection using ASTM D6709 or ASTM D6891 engine tests. In passenger car motor oil, branched C8 ZDDP provides a balance between anti-wear film formation and oxidative stability, but the phosphorus volatility of secondary versus primary alkyl ZDDP structures influences catalyst compatibility in gasoline direct-injection engines. Limit compliance is driven by ILSAC GF-6 phosphorus maximum 0.08 wt% for SAE 0W-20 finished oil, which constrains treat rate rather than eliminating the additive. Production records show batch-to-batch acid neutralization drift when ZnO particle size distribution shifts, leading to filter blinding and residual hydrogen sulfide in the wet product.
In rare-earth solvent-extraction circuits, di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) serves as the acidic extractant after dilution in kerosene. The reagent is manufactured by phosphation of 2-ethylhexanol; the resulting mixture of mono- and diesters is separated by pH-controlled extraction or distillation to yield a dialkylphosphoric acid with acid value and density controlled for solvent-extraction duty. In hydrometallurgical flowsheets, D2EHPA is diluted in kerosene at 5–30 vol% and saponified with sodium hydroxide before contacting acidic leach liquor. The extractant transfers trivalent rare-earth cations into the organic phase at pH ranges determined by the individual metal distribution isotherms; stripping is conducted with mineral acid at concentrations of 1–3 M. Phase-disengagement time is a critical plant parameter because carry-over of organic phase into the aqueous raffinate contaminates downstream precipitation. Equipment for pilot evaluation includes mixer-settler units with organic-to-aqueous ratios from 0.5:1 to 3:1 and temperature maintained at 25–40 °C. Quality of the D2EHPA feed is characterized by acid value, density at 20 °C by ASTM D4052, and water content by ASTM E203. Published data for specific rare-earth separation circuits is flow-sheet specific; bench-scale shake-out tests with actual leach liquor are required to confirm extraction and stripping isotherms before sizing plant contactors. The use of D2EHPA in nuclear uranium recovery and rare-earth separation is subject to export control and radiation safety compliance in certain jurisdictions, and spent organic phase must be managed under waste solvent regulations.
At diesel blending terminals, 2-ethylhexyl nitrate is produced by continuous nitration of 2-ethylhexanol with mixed acid and then diluted into distillate fuel. The nitration reactor must hold temperature below 40 °C to avoid uncontrolled nitration side reactions; the crude ester is washed with dilute alkali, dried, and stabilized before storage. The additive is used as a diesel ignition improver at treat rates of 0.05–0.5 wt%, with actual cetane response dependent on base fuel composition. Cetane number shifts are measured by ASTM D613-18a; blending systems verify injection accuracy by mass flow calibration and tank-level reconciliation. Thermal stability is the principal handling constraint because 2-ethylhexyl nitrate can undergo exothermic decomposition if stored above 50 °C for extended periods or if exposed to strong reducing agents. Storage tanks are specified with external cooling, remote temperature monitoring, and nitrogen blanketing; product must be protected from direct sunlight and isolation valves must be free of polymer residues. Finished diesel containing 2-ethylhexyl nitrate must also meet EN 590 oxidation stability and flash point specifications; addition into the finished fuel after final filtration is standard practice to avoid filter coalescer interactions. Published data for specific refinery blender configurations is limited, and base fuel response testing is required to establish the minimum effective treat rate before winter-grade diesel campaigns.
Because screen-ink drying on mesh is a production bottleneck, 2-ethylhexanol functions as a high-boiling oxygenated solvent where slow evaporation prevents premature solvent flash from printing inks, stencil inks, and coil-coating formulations. With a normal boiling point of 184.7 °C and flash point near 76 °C by ASTM D92, the solvent extends open time in screen-printing operations where mesh clogging from dried ink reduces print definition. In alkyd and saturated polyester resin synthesis, 2-ethylhexanol can partially replace n-butanol or isobutanol to adjust molecular weight by esterification with polybasic acids; reactor charge is set by hydroxyl-to-carboxyl stoichiometry, typically at 1.05:1 to 1.20:1, and water is removed by azeotropic distillation with xylene. The branched alcohol raises resin non-polar character, which influences pigment wetting and solubility in mineral spirits. Commercial solvent blends containing 2-ethylhexanol are characterized by distillation range by ASTM D1078, water content by ASTM E203, and acid acceptance by titrimetric methods. Coating formulations must account for VOC content under EU Directive 2004/42/EC or national equivalents; 2-ethylhexanol is not exempt from VOC reporting. Published data for resin cook performance in specific reactor geometries is limited; pilot-scale polyester cooks are required to confirm final acid value and solution viscosity before commercial batch sign-off.
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Industrial 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH, CAS 104-76-7, molecular formula C₈H₁₈O, molar mass 130.23 g/mol) is a branched primary oxo alcohol manufactured by aldol condensation of n-butyraldehyde followed by hydrogenation. At 20°C the product is a clear, low-viscosity liquid with density 0.831–0.833 g/cm³, boiling point 184–185°C at 101.3 kPa, closed-cup flash point near 76°C, and dynamic viscosity approximately 9.8 mPa·s. Water solubility is below 0.1 g/100 g at 20°C, and 2-EH is miscible with most common organic solvents. The product is a key industrial intermediate for dioctyl phthalate, dioctyl terephthalate, trioctyl trimellitate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, adipate and sebacate lubricant esters, and certain solvent-extraction reagents.
In bulk transfer, the alcohol is normally handled as a combustible liquid because its closed-cup flash point places it above 60°C but below 93°C. Production-scale pumping systems use centrifugal pumps with mechanical seals rated for alcohols having viscosity near 10 mPa·s at ambient temperature. Transfer lines are grounded, and storage tanks are fitted with nitrogen preservation to limit oxygen ingress. The low freezing point of 2-EH, below -60°C, allows outdoor storage in temperate climates without steam tracing, unlike linear C8 alcohol systems that require freeze protection.
Commercial product models are designated as technical grade, low-aldehyde grade, and high-purity grade. The technical grade is used for general ester synthesis; the low-aldehyde grade is specified for acrylate monomer production because carbonyl content above approximately 50 mg/kg as 2-ethylhexanal can retard photopolymerization and contribute to colour in the finished monomer. High-purity grade is selected when trace acidity and low water content are required for specialty esters or long-term hydrolytic stability. The following specification limits are typical for a technical-grade certificate of analysis and are batch-specific rather than guaranteed ranges for every supplier.
| Property | Analytical method | Typical specification |
|---|---|---|
| Purity, GC area % | Capillary GC-FID; calibration blends prepared according to ASTM D4307 | ≥99.5 wt% |
| Colour, Pt-Co/Hazen | ASTM D1209 / ISO 2211 | ≤10 |
| Water | ASTM E203 | ≤0.10 wt% |
| Acidity as acetic acid | ASTM D1613 | ≤0.01 wt% |
| Density at 20°C | ASTM D4052 | 0.831–0.833 g/cm³ |
| Distillation range | ASTM D1078 | IBP ≥182°C; dry point ≤187°C |
For low-aldehyde grade, suppliers commonly add a carbonyl specification of ≤20 mg/kg as 2-ethylhexanal and may report iron below 0.1 mg/kg because trace metals accelerate oxidative colour formation during downstream esterification. The water limit is maintained below 0.05 wt% when the alcohol is used with moisture-sensitive titanate catalysts.
Compared with n-octanol, a linear C8 alcohol with a freezing point near -16°C and boiling point near 195°C, 2-EH remains liquid at much lower temperature because branching at the 2-position disrupts crystal packing. This difference is important in outdoor storage and in plasticizer esters where low-temperature flexibility is required. Branching also reduces the esterification rate of 2-EH relative to n-octanol because the β-carbon substitution increases steric hindrance at the hydroxyl-bearing carbon. The resulting dioctyl phthalate from 2-EH has a molecular weight of 390.56 g/mol and lower volatility than dibutyl phthalate, but higher volatility than esters from C9 or C10 oxo alcohols.
Compared with isononanol, 2-EH gives lower-boiling alcohols and lower-molecular-weight plasticizer esters. Isononanol is typically a C9 branched mixture with a boiling range near 205–207°C; its phthalate ester, DINP, has a higher molar mass than dioctyl phthalate and correspondingly lower migration and volatility. Compared with 2-propylheptanol, a C10 branched alcohol with boiling point near 218–220°C, 2-EH esterifies more readily and produces lower-viscosity plasticizer esters, but the resulting ester may be more volatile and less permanent in long-term heat ageing. These differences are routinely assessed by boiling range ASTM D1078, density ASTM D4052, and plasticizer volatility tests such as ISO 177 or internal oven-ageing methods.
In continuous dioctyl terephthalate processing, the alcohol excess is a critical process variable. Published process descriptions for DOTP synthesis from terephthalic acid and 2-EH with titanium tetrabutoxide/titanium tetraisopropoxide catalysts report reaction temperatures of 200–230°C, with water removed continuously and excess 2-EH stripped under vacuum below 30 mbar absolute. Acid number is driven below 0.05 mg KOH/g using staged vacuum stripping, and residual 2-EH is typically reduced below 500 mg/kg in the finished ester. When reactor temperature overshoots 235°C, dehydration of 2-EH increases di-2-ethylhexyl ether and unsaturated by-products, raising APHA colour above 30 and creating a light-ends fraction that must be removed by thin-film evaporation. Operators therefore balance temperature, vacuum level, and catalyst concentration within a narrow processing window; published data for this specific configuration indicate that residual titanium above 1 mg/kg in the final ester can contribute to haze and hydrolysis instability.
For 2-ethylhexyl acrylate manufacture, 2-EH is esterified with acrylic acid under acid catalysis, and the alcohol feedstock is selected with carbonyl content below 50 mg/kg because aldehyde impurities consume inhibitor and can introduce colour into the acrylate monomer. The monomer is used in pressure-sensitive adhesives and coatings where the branched C8 side chain reduces glass-transition temperature relative to butyl acrylate. Polymeric films produced from 2-ethylhexyl acrylate typically show lower modulus and greater tack than those based on n-butyl acrylate, though the exact shift depends on comonomer ratio and crosslinker level. In plastisol applications, dioctyl phthalate produced from 2-EH gives lower solvating viscosity than high-molecular-weight isononyl or 2-propylheptyl plasticizers, which can reduce energy demand in high-shear dispersion equipment. The trade-off is that lower molar mass esters from 2-EH exhibit higher weight loss in accelerated ageing; migration and volatility must be verified in the final polymer matrix rather than assumed from alcohol identity alone.
At ambient storage, 2-EH is compatible with carbon steel equipment when the water content remains below 0.10 wt% and the tank is maintained under nitrogen. Aluminium and copper alloys are avoided because trace metal ions can catalyse oxidation to 2-ethylhexanal and 2-ethylhexanoic acid, shifting acidity and colour. Storage temperatures above 40°C increase the rate of oxidative acid formation; packaged drums should be kept closed and protected from direct sunlight. The alcohol is hygroscopic in vented tanks despite low mutual solubility with water, so desiccant breathers or nitrogen padding are used to hold water content within the specification of ASTM E203.
Dry air or nitrogen padding is preferred over compressed plant air because oil mist and moisture can introduce carbonyl and iron contamination. Strong oxidizers, strong acids, and acid chlorides are incompatible; contact with concentrated sulfuric acid at elevated temperature can generate olefins and ethers through dehydration. In closed-loop esterification processes, the accumulated light ends containing di-2-ethylhexyl ether and unsaturated hydrocarbons are drawn off under vacuum and incinerated. The operational boundary is not the alcohol itself but the accumulation of oxygenated impurities that affect final ester colour and acid number.
Regulatory classification under CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 includes H227 for combustible liquid, H315 for skin irritation, H319 for serious eye irritation, and H335 for respiratory irritation. Under REACH, 2-ethylhexanol is registered for industrial intermediate and downstream use; the exposure scenario and derived no-effect values are supply-chain specific. Food-contact status is not an intrinsic property of 2-EH and must be established for the final plasticizer or polymer under the applicable national or regional food-contact regulation. Transportation classification reflects the flash point; in regions using 49 CFR 173.120 definitions, the product is commonly treated as a combustible liquid rather than a flammable liquid, but the SDS and transport document for the specific batch remain the controlling references.
