BDO and Its Derivatives, High-Purity Solvents

1,6-Hexanediol (HDO)

1,6-Hexanediol (HDO) is a linear, bifunctional primary alcohol characterized by two hydroxyl groups located at the terminal positions of a six-carbon aliphatic chain. This white, crystalline solid at room temperature possesses a molecular formula of C6H14O2 and is highly valued in the chemical industry for its versatility and reactivity. As a diol, it serves as a crucial building block in the synthesis of various polymers, particularly polyurethanes and polyesters. Its structure provides a unique balance of flexibility and strength, as the hexamethylene chain imparts internal plasticization and enhanced mechanical properties to the resulting macromolecular structures. HDO is soluble in water and organic solvents, making it adaptable to diverse processing environments. Its chemical stability and high purity levels are essential for demanding industrial applications. By incorporating HDO, manufacturers can achieve superior resistance to hydrolysis, oxidation, and weathering, ensuring the longevity and performance of advanced materials used in coating, adhesive, and elastomer.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

High Reactivity: The primary terminal hydroxyl groups offer rapid and complete reaction rates during esterification and urethane formation processes.
Thermal Stability: Provides excellent resistance to thermal degradation, ensuring that end products maintain integrity under fluctuating temperature conditions.
Flexibility: The straight six-carbon chain acts as a flexible spacer, significantly improving the impact resistance and elasticity of polymer backbones.
Chemical Resistance: Enhances the final material’s ability to withstand moisture, common solvents, and various environmental stressors over extended periods.
Color Stability: Exhibits low initial color and maintains clarity during high-temperature processing, crucial for high-quality clear coats and resins.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Molecular Weight: Approximately 118.17 g/mol, supporting precise stoichiometric calculations in large-scale industrial polymerization and chemical synthesis operations.
Melting Point: Typically ranges from 40°C to 43°C, necessitating temperature-controlled storage and handling to maintain its solid crystalline form.
Boiling Point: Measured at 250°C at atmospheric pressure, indicating low volatility and safety during high-temperature manufacturing and processing stages.
Purity Standards: Industrially available at grades exceeding 99.5%, minimizing unwanted side reactions and ensuring consistent performance in sensitive applications.
Solubility: Highly soluble in water, ethanol, and acetone, facilitating its use in diverse aqueous and solvent-based formulation systems.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Polyurethane Elastomers: Used to produce high-performance TPU for automotive parts, industrial rollers, and durable footwear requiring excellent abrasion resistance.
Polyester Resins: A key component in manufacturing saturated and unsaturated polyesters for high-quality powder coatings and coil coating systems.
Adhesives: Utilized in the formulation of reactive hot-melt adhesives and structural bonding agents, providing superior adhesion to various substrates.
UV-Curable Monomers: Acts as a precursor for hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA), a widely used diluent in UV-curable inks and clear coatings.
Polycarbonate Diols: Serves as a starting material for specialized polycarbonate diols used in premium leather finishes and textile coatings.