2 Ethylhexanol

2-ethylhexanol is produced by aldol condensation of butylaldehyde followed by reduction. 

2-ethylhexanol is used for the production of plasticizers, especially dioctyl phthalate, dioctyl adipate, and trioctyl trimellitate, as well as in the production of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate for adhesives and coatings, and for the production of 2-ethylhexylnitrate. 

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Mixtures of trioctylamine and 2-ethylhexanol have been employed to extract 1—9% by volume acetic acid from its aqueous solutions. Reverse osmosis for acid separation has been patented and solvent membranes for concentrating acetic acid have been described (58,59). Decalin and trioctylphosphine were selected as solvents (60). Liquid—Uquid interfacial kinetics is an especially significant factor in such extractions (61). 

Primary human skin irritation of tetradecanol, hexadecanol, and octadecanol is nil they have been used for many years ia cosmetic creams and ointments (24). Based on human testing and iudustrial experience, the linear, even carbon number alcohols of 6—18 carbon atoms are not human skin sensitizers, nor are the 7-, 9- and 11-carbon alcohols and 2-ethylhexanol. Neither has iudustrial handling of other branched alcohols led to skin problems. Inhalation hazard, further mitigated by the low vapor pressure of these alcohols, is slight. Sustained breathing of alcohol vapor or mist should be avoided, however, as aspiration hazards have been reported (25). 

Other Plastics Uses. The plasticizer range alcohols have a number of other uses in plastics hexanol and 2-ethylhexanol are used as part of the catalyst system in the polymerization of acrylates, ethylene, and propylene (55) the peroxydicarbonate of 2-ethylhexanol is utilized as a polymerization initiator for vinyl chloride various trialkyl phosphites find usage as heat and light stabHizers for plastics organotin derivatives are used as heat stabHizers for PVC octanol improves the compatibHity of calcium carbonate filler in various plastics 2-ethylhexanol is used to make expanded polystyrene beads (56) and acrylate esters serve as pressure sensitive adhesives. 

BASF Espanol SA, Tarragona, Spain 30 2-ethylhexanol propjiene... 

Celanese Mexicana, Celaya, Mexico 70 2-ethylhexanol acetaldehyde... 

Rhodium Ca.ta.lysts. Rhodium carbonyl catalysts for olefin hydroformylation are more active than cobalt carbonyls and can be appHed at lower temperatures and pressures (14). Rhodium hydrocarbonyl [75506-18-2] HRh(CO)4, results in lower -butyraldehyde [123-72-8] to isobutyraldehyde [78-84-2] ratios from propylene [115-07-17, C H, than does cobalt hydrocarbonyl, ie, 50/50 vs 80/20. Ligand-modified rhodium catalysts, HRh(CO)2L2 or HRh(CO)L2, afford /iso-ratios as high as 92/8 the ligand is generally a tertiary phosphine. The rhodium catalyst process was developed joindy by Union Carbide Chemicals, Johnson-Matthey, and Davy Powergas and has been Hcensed to several companies. It is particulady suited to propylene conversion to -butyraldehyde for 2-ethylhexanol production in that by-product isobutyraldehyde is minimized. 

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