Bio - Based / Green Solvents, High-Purity Solvents

1-Hexanol (C6 Alcohol)

1-Hexanol, also known as n-hexyl alcohol or amyl carbinol, is a straight-chain primary alcohol containing six carbon atoms and the chemical formula C6H13OH. It is a colorless liquid with a characteristic herbaceous, woody, and slightly fruity odor, which contributes significantly to its presence in the fragrance and flavoring industries. Chemically, it exhibits the standard reactivity of primary alcohols, including oxidation to hexanal and hexanoic acid. It is slightly soluble in water but miscible with many organic solvents, including ethanol and ether. 1-Hexanol occurs naturally in many fruits and plants, such as apples and strawberries, playing a vital role as a green leaf volatile. Its production typically involves the oligomerization of ethylene using the Alfol process or through the hydroformylation of pentenes. As an intermediate, it serves as a precursor to plasticizers and surfactants, while its unique physical properties make it an effective solvent and lubricant additive in various industrial processes.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

Exhibits a distinct sweet and herbaceous aromatic profile that is widely utilized in the formulation of fragrances and synthetic fruit flavorings for the food industry.
Features a primary hydroxyl group at the end of a six-carbon chain, providing balanced polarity and making it an effective intermediate for chemical synthesis.
Demonstrates moderate volatility and a high boiling point compared to shorter chain alcohols, ensuring stability during high-temperature industrial processing and application.
Shows excellent compatibility with diverse organic matrices, serving as a powerful co-solvent and coupling agent in complex chemical formulations.
Naturally occurring and biodegradable compound, making it an environmentally favorable choice for applications requiring lower toxicity profiles than branched alternatives.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Molecular Weight: 102.17 g/mol; Chemical Formula: C6H14O; CAS Number: 111-27-3; providing specific molecular identification for precise engineering calculations and regulatory compliance.
Physical State: Clear colorless liquid at room temperature with a density of 0.814 g/cm3 and a refractive index of 1.4178 at 20 degrees Celsius.
Boiling Point: Approximately 157 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure; Melting Point: -45 degrees Celsius; indicating a wide liquid range for operational versatility.
Flash Point: 60 degrees Celsius (closed cup); classified as a combustible liquid, requiring standard safety protocols for storage, handling, and industrial transport.
Solubility: Approximately 5.9 g/L in water at 25 degrees Celsius, showing limited aqueous solubility while remaining fully miscible in ethanol and diethyl ether.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Used extensively as a chemical intermediate in the production of plasticizers, specifically hexyl phthalates, which impart flexibility to various polymer and resin systems.
Functions as a key ingredient in the perfume industry, creating nature-identical scents and acting as a fixative for floral and woody aromatic compositions.
Employed as a solvent in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, paints, and coatings, where it assists in viscosity control and improves film-forming characteristics.
Utilized in the synthesis of specialized surfactants and detergents, enhancing the wetting properties and surface tension reduction of various cleaning agents.
Serves as a fuel additive and lubricant component, improving the performance and stability of hydrocarbon-based fluids in automotive and aerospace engineering applications.